The band have what some might consider the dubious distinction of having achieved the status of "the globe's loudest band" in the 1975 edition of Guinness Book of World Records for a concert they performed three years before at London's Rainbow Theatre.  The band's name was inspired by a song that lead guitarist Ritchie Blackmore's grandmother played when he was a child.  The band went through many line-up changes, as they recorded studio albums and performed in concert.  1972's Machine Head was their sixth album, and is considered one of their best and most influential.  It also includes what many regard as the best guitar-based songs ever recorded:  "Smoke on the Water."