51 year anniversary, 90-year old theater destroyed at his concert

Montreux Casino burned to the ground on December 4, 1971, when “some stupid” fired a flare gun into the rattan-covered ceiling of the theatre during a concert by Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. The historic building, built in 1881 on the shore of Lake Geneva for the city’s symphony orchestra, was hosting its final concert of the year before closing for a winter renovation.

While the casino was closed to the public, the rock group Deep Purple had contracted to use the theatre to make their debut album Machine Head. From this disaster on the eve of their recording session was born “Smoke on the Water,” the group’s most memorable song and one of the most iconic songs in rock history.

~ From The Lost Battalion