Here's the legend: ABC televised the 1973 California Jam which Emerson Lake and Palmer headlined(!) right after Purple (poor bastards). Supposedly, Purple specifically stated in the contract that they were to perform at or after sundown (presumably for the full effect of their light show). Well unlike most rock festivals, this one was ahead of schedule and Purple were asked to go on before sundown and Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore (known even then to be "temperamental") locked himself in his dressing room and refused to come out. The suits at ABC supposedly threatened to call the cops and have Blackmore arrested and Blackmore finally relented and went onstage but at the end of their set Blackmore took out his anger on an ABC camera and almost blew the whole damn stage up! He impulsively told his roadie to pour some gas into one of his amp heads and light it which he did with the results you see here! Supposedly ABC was livid and had the cops ready to arrest him after the show but the group was already arranged to leave the gig by helicopter, which they did and and made their way back to the hotel and then very quickly flew back overseas via regular airline thus avoiding the strong arm of the law!
Whew!...... Long story but part of Rock n Roll folklore! enjoy!
