Deep Purple - "Highway Star"

Deep Purple - "Highway Star"

From 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal by Brian Slagel

February 23, 2026 · 50 min

About this episode

Brian Slagel and Riki Rachtman discuss the significance of Deep Purple's 'Highway Star' and their early musical experiences.

Deep Purple - "Highway Star" Released March 30, 1972 on the album "Machine Head" Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by the former host of MTV's Headbanger's Ball Riki Rachtman to discuss the first really heavy song either of them ever heard as kids: Deep Purple's "Highway Star". They discuss the importance of that song, the greatness of the album and the band, plus some other musical firsts, including first album and first rock poster on their walls. Brian also discusses the production on this song with producer Jay Ruston As always, we get facts, figures and education from author Martin Popoff. Follow Riki Rachtman @RikiRachtman on Tik Tok, Instagram, X and Facebook Jay Ruston is on Tik Tok, Instagram, X and Facebook @JayRuston Martin Popoff is on X @Popoff Martin Follow 100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal on X, Instagram and TikTok @100Metal Songs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Brian Slagel

Guest: Riki Rachtman

Topics covered

  • Deep Purple
  • Heavy Metal
  • Music History
  • Production
  • First Songs

Keywords

  • Deep Purple
  • Highway Star
  • Heavy Metal
  • Music Production
  • 1972

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Metal Blade Records

Books & works: Highway Star, Machine Head

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