In 1989, artists David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Brian May and Roger Taylor (Queen), Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath), Bryan Adams, Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), Ian GIllan, Ritchie Blackmore and Jon Lord (Deep Purple), Chris Squire and Geoff Downes (YES), Keith Emerson (ELP), John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), Alex Lifeson (RUSH) and Paul Rodgers (Bad Company, Free), remade the classic Deep Purple track “Smoke On The Water”.
You can watch below the official promo video for the 2010 Wermut & Dee remix of the track. The song was released worldwide – it successfully raised funds to rebuild a children’s music school in Gyumri in the Armenian earthquake zone. Today the new school teaches music to 220 children a year!
With different vocalists singing each verse, the single made it to the UK Top 40 Singles Chart. The track was recorded by an elite group of contemporary progressive rock, hard rock and heavy metal musicians who gathered at the historic Metropolis Studios in Chiswick, London. Recording began on July 8, 1989 and was completed over 5 different sessions.
Organized by Jon Dee, the remake featured David Gilmour, Brian May, Tony Iommi, Ritchie Blackmore, Alex Lifeson and Chris Squire on guitars. On vocals it had Ian Gillan, Bruce Dickinson, Paul Rodgers and Bryan Adams. Keith Emerson and Geoff Downes played the keyboards and Roger Taylor played the drums.