Maybe I'm A Leo
Encyclopedia
"Maybe I'm a Leo" is a song by the British
rock group Deep Purple
, from their 1972 album Machine Head
.
says: "I wrote the riff to "Maybe I’m A Leo" after hearing John Lennon
’s "How Do You Sleep?". I liked the idea that the riff didn’t start on the down beat, like 99% of riffs do. Most of the songs on Machine Head were from the first take, or not long after."
Singer Ian Gillan
is a Leo
(born August 19), the only group member at the time with that astrological sign.
The song was rarely played by the band live, but two live recordings of it have been released on albums, Deep Purple in Concert
, recorded in 1972, and Live at the Olympia '96
.
The SACD
version of Machine Head has an alternate guitar solo on "Maybe I'm a Leo".
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
rock group Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
, from their 1972 album Machine Head
Machine Head (album)
Machine Head is the sixth studio album released by the English rock band Deep Purple. It was recorded through December 1971 in Montreux, Switzerland, and released in March 1972....
.
History
Roger GloverRoger Glover
Roger David Glover is a Welsh bassist, songwriter, and record producer. Glover is best known as the bassist and lyricist for the hard rock band, Deep Purple.-Early career:...
says: "I wrote the riff to "Maybe I’m A Leo" after hearing John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
’s "How Do You Sleep?". I liked the idea that the riff didn’t start on the down beat, like 99% of riffs do. Most of the songs on Machine Head were from the first take, or not long after."
Singer Ian Gillan
Ian Gillan
Ian Gillan is an English rock music vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and lyricist for Deep Purple. During his career Gillan also fronted his own band, had a year-long stint as the vocalist for Black Sabbath, and sang the role of Jesus in the original recording of Andrew Lloyd...
is a Leo
Leo (astrology)
Leo is the fifth astrological sign of the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Leo. In astrology, Leo is considered to be a "masculine", positive sign. It is also considered a fire sign and is one of four fixed signs ruled by the Sun.Individuals born when the Sun is in this sign are...
(born August 19), the only group member at the time with that astrological sign.
The song was rarely played by the band live, but two live recordings of it have been released on albums, Deep Purple in Concert
Deep Purple In Concert
Deep Purple in Concert is an album by British hard rock band Deep Purple, of two concerts recorded by the BBC for their "In Concert" live series, recorded in 1970 and 1972. First released in 1980 in the UK, with the current US edition being made available in 2001...
, recorded in 1972, and Live at the Olympia '96
Live at the Olympia '96
"Live at the Olympia '96" is a live double album by British hard rock band Deep Purple. It was recorded at the Olympia in Paris on June 17, 1996 during the Purpendicular tour and released in 1997....
.
The SACD
Super Audio CD
Super Audio CD is a high-resolution, read-only optical disc for audio storage. Sony and Philips Electronics jointly developed the technology, and publicized it in 1999. It is designated as the Scarlet Book standard. Sony and Philips previously collaborated to define the Compact Disc standard...
version of Machine Head has an alternate guitar solo on "Maybe I'm a Leo".
Cover versions
- The Atomic BitchwaxThe Atomic BitchwaxThe Atomic Bitchwax is a stoner rock band started in 1992 in New Jersey. It started as essentially a "super band" of key members of the notable stoner rock and doom metal bands Godspeed, Monster Magnet, and Core.-History:...
on their album 33 (The Atomic Bitchwax album)-Personnel:* Chris Kosnik – bass, vocals* Keith Ackerman – drums, percussion* Finn Ryan – electric guitarguitar, vocals...
. - Gov't MuleGov't MuleGov't Mule is a Southern rock jam band formed in 1994 as an Allman Brothers Band side project by Warren Haynes and Allen Woody.The band released their debut album Gov't Mule in 1995...
on The Deep End, Volume 1The Deep End, Volume 1After the death of founding member and bassist Allen Woody, Gov't Mule considered breaking up. Instead, remaining members Warren Haynes and Matt Abts recorded several songs with bass players admired by Woody. The Deep End, Volume 1, issued in 2001, was the first CD of material released from these... - Javier Malosetti Electrohope on Ten
- Paul GilbertPaul GilbertPaul Brandon Gilbert is an American guitarist. He is well known for his technical guitar work with Racer X and Mr...
on Smoke on the Water, a Tribute to Deep Purple
Personnel
- Ritchie BlackmoreRitchie BlackmoreRichard Hugh "Ritchie" Blackmore is an English guitarist and songwriter, who was known as one of the first guitarists to fuse Classical music elements with rock. He fronted his own band Rainbow after leaving Deep Purple where he was unhappy because his favourite musical style wasn't adequately...
- guitar - Ian GillanIan GillanIan Gillan is an English rock music vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and lyricist for Deep Purple. During his career Gillan also fronted his own band, had a year-long stint as the vocalist for Black Sabbath, and sang the role of Jesus in the original recording of Andrew Lloyd...
– vocals - Roger GloverRoger GloverRoger David Glover is a Welsh bassist, songwriter, and record producer. Glover is best known as the bassist and lyricist for the hard rock band, Deep Purple.-Early career:...
– bass guitar - Jon LordJon LordJonathan Douglas "Jon" Lord is an English composer, pianist and Hammond organ player.Jon Lord, also known as 'Hammond Lord', is a classically trained piano player. He is recognised for his Hammond organ blues-rock sound and for his pioneering work in fusing rock and classical or baroque forms...
– keyboards - Ian PaiceIan PaiceIan Anderson Paice is an English musician, best known as the drummer of the English rock band Deep Purple. As of Jon Lord's departure in 2002, he is the only founding member of the band who never stopped performing with the group, and the only member to appear on every album the band has...
– drums