<Li> "When a Blind Man Cries" </Li> <P> "Smoke on the Water" is a song by the English rock band Deep Purple . It was first released on their 1972 album Machine Head . In 2004, the song was ranked number 434 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest songs of all time, ranked number 4 in Total Guitar magazine's Greatest Guitar Riffs Ever, and in March 2005, Q magazine placed "Smoke on the Water" at number 12 in its list of the 100 greatest guitar tracks . </P> <P> "Smoke on the Water" is known for and recognizable by its central theme, developed by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore . It is a four - note blues scale melody in G minor, harmonised in parallel fourths . The riff, played on a Fender Stratocaster electric guitar by Blackmore, is later joined by hi - hat and distorted organ, then the rest of the drums, then electric bass parts before the start of Ian Gillan's vocal . The opening lyrics are: </P> <P> We all came out to Montreux, on the Lake Geneva shoreline To make records with a mobile, we didn't have much time </P>

Who sang lead vocals on smoke on the water