Some of the greatest classic rock anthems were inspired by real-life events and people. And more often than not, those true stories often have a tragic edge to them. Let’s look at three super-famous classic rock anthems with real-life backstories that you may not know about!
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“Smoke On The Water” by Deep Purple
“Smoke On The Water” is a tragic tale; that much is certain from a surface-level listen. However, casual fans of Deep Purple might not be totally aware of the song’s deeper meaning.
This song is actually about a tragedy that struck the famous musician Frank Zappa. While Zappa and The Mothers Of Invention were performing a set at Montreux Casino in Switzerland, the theater was set ablaze. The fire spread fast, caused by a flare gun shot by an audience member. Concert organizers and Zappa and his band themselves worked to help get fans out of there as firefighters arrived. Shockingly, nobody died. But the casino they performed in burned down to the ground, along with all of Zappa’s equipment. Except for the cowbell, that is.
“When The Levee Breaks” by Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin has no shortage of legendary classic rock anthems, and “When The Levee Breaks” is certainly up there. This song isn’t just inspired by real-life events, either. It’s a cover (or theft, depending on who you ask) of a 1929 song by Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie.
Both versions of this tune tell the story of the great Mississippi Flood that occurred in 1927. Nearly 1,000 people were killed, and hundreds of thousands of people were displaced from their homes. African-Americans were displaced at significantly higher numbers, leading many historians to believe the flood accelerated the Great Migration.
“Riders On The Storm” by The Doors
This song is the classic rock anthem of classic rock anthems. “Riders On The Storm” by The Doors is a legendary tune, and the song has a pretty interesting story behind it.
This deeply atmospheric and almost jazzy song has a dark, foreboding energy to it. That was intentional. The song was inspired by real-life serial killer Billy Cook, who took the lives of six people (including a family) during a spree of death that lasted from 1950 to 1951. “Riders On The Storm” could very well be a theme song of sorts for Cook, and a suitable one for any dramatized film about his crimes.
Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns
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