Hotel foyers are the traditional place to meet up when you’re staying in one. However, you never really expect to bump into Roger Glover, and if you do it wouldn’t normally be in the foyer of the Grand Hotel in Montreux… nevertheless here we are. It’s a long story and as you might expect there was a little more to this than mere chance, and we will file a full report in a couple of days when we’ve had time to take it all in.
To put the location in context, this room is where Ritchie disappeared to from time to time to record some of his guitar work on the album (the black bag marks the spot).
I notice sandals are clearly back in fashion too. I have been asked by the owner to explain that this building is not accessible at any time except to residents.
Tags: deep purple, Grand Hotel, Montreux, roger glover, Simon Robinson, smoke on the water
darker than blue 
July 26, 2016 at 4:26 am |
this was a Bernie Marsden look a like do?
July 31, 2016 at 8:55 am |
Apparently.
July 25, 2016 at 8:15 am |
Excellent report, can’t wait for the book Simon. Must have been fascinating to talk to Roger within the very rooms and corridors. Out of interest, did Purple actually sleep there during the recordings or somewhere local?
July 25, 2016 at 11:15 am |
Thanks Danny. No, the band stayed at the Eden Hotel, close to the Casino. The Grand shut down for the winter each year, and the heating was turned off. They still have the original steam powered radiator system in there to this day…
July 23, 2016 at 11:34 am |
sandals are so rock and roll…
July 22, 2016 at 1:10 pm |
Did anybody turn up with a Flare Gun?
July 25, 2016 at 11:21 am |
Might have been a tad delayed in customs if we’d tried that!
July 21, 2016 at 8:47 am |
Ok great, but who’s the guy ( dark cap ) next to Bernie Marsden?
July 22, 2016 at 10:08 am |
Ouch.
July 20, 2016 at 5:28 pm |
Hi Simon, you made it to the Swiss news!
Pity I didn’t spot you in the crowd at the concert – I would have said hi. Good show, by the way – so much better than Ritchie’s Rainbow (I was at the first one in Lorelei).
Looking forward to the Machine Head book very much!
July 22, 2016 at 10:09 am |
It was such a big crowd though Marcin, I think the venue takes 4,000 or so, and it was sold out!
July 19, 2016 at 9:48 am |
A very coordinated look all round. I will look forward to the super-anorak report.
July 18, 2016 at 11:32 pm |
I hope you took a photos of the actual legendary corridor where the magic of 45 years took place!? (I’m sure Roger had some “pull” or “influence” in making this happen!?)
July 22, 2016 at 10:12 am |
Indeed; we waited until everyone had left and then put the cameras on chair backs for long-exposures. There is almost no proper lighting in the communal areas.
July 18, 2016 at 10:43 pm |
Minor point but sandals NEVER were and NEVER will be in fashion!
July 22, 2016 at 10:13 am |
Nor have I!
July 18, 2016 at 5:23 pm |
Hi Simon…Thank you for your invitation!
July 18, 2016 at 5:14 pm |
It may have been empty, cold and bare in December ’71. Today it just looks nice and cool! Lovely building. Thanks.
July 22, 2016 at 10:15 am |
It was nearly 40 degrees outside on the day, but inside it was really nice, so we stayed as long as we could!
July 22, 2016 at 4:48 pm
40! We’re struggling with 25 today. Sobering.
August 18, 2016 at 5:23 pm
I will trade you guys…Here in Northern California it has been over 100 degrees for a month now! 106 to 108 for a few days in a row. Fu*%king sickening. You can only take so many clothes off, you guys can always bundle up!
To quote UFO and to go with your picture: “It was too, too hot, too hot for sandals”!
July 18, 2016 at 12:59 pm |
Hi Simon, did somebody mention you nowadays look a bit like Purple’s tourmanager from way back in the mid-seventies? Seeing your picture with Roger my first thought was “what is Ossy Hoppe doing in Montreux?”! Gerd
July 18, 2016 at 12:22 pm |
Nice photo, it’s an awesome room isn’t it, wish I’d taken more photos in there. I didn’t run into the owner but I remember getting the death stare from the concierge. His Mrs. was ok with me, along with a resident who was interested in the goings on back in 71, but I could tell he was wanting me to clear off….
July 22, 2016 at 10:21 am |
I think they are a bit paranoid about 100s of fans turning up, and with flats going for up to a million francs in the block, some of the residents may be a bit sniffy, but those we met were all fascinated. Maybe we should crowd fund the purchase of an apartment for people to stay in! There’s one up now, 850K Swiss francs.
July 24, 2022 at 7:06 pm
850? Is that all lol
July 18, 2016 at 11:50 am |
Two “stinking hippies”
July 22, 2016 at 10:22 am |
Cheek, I’d showered that very morning!