Never got Zeppelin but really got Purple.
As a self confessesd (and recovering) 'Zep-aholic' I will happily concede that Purple had, pound for pound, waaay better
songs, but
musically Zep always beats them in range and versatility (for me). Though Smoke On the Water is arguably one of, if not the best, guitar riffs ever (up there with "The Rumble" and "Sunshine Of Your Love, even "Teen Spirit"
) Blackmore wouldn't make my list of Top Ten Best Guitarists....not even my Top Twenty ! Sorry guys, great band all the same and frikin LOUD !
John Lord RIP man.
Lindsay
