Favorite "Highway" Songs #2 - "Highway Star"

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I'm always on the lookout for themes for a music series, so when @JohnRoberts suggested a countdown of my favorite songs with "Highway" in the title, I revved into action. We are at #2: "Highway Star" by Deep Purple. Interesting story behind "Highway Star." In 1971, while on the band's tour bus, in England, a reporter asked about their songwriting process. Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore began playing a riff, over which vocalist Ian Gillan began improvising lyrics. The group played the new song onstage later that night. A Deep Purple classic, "Highway Star" is the opening track on the band's classic 1972 album, Machine Head. Although overshadowed by that album's legendary "Smoke on the Water," "Highway Star" did reach #30 in France, and became a concert staple for the group. "Highway Star" has been covered often, most notably by Type O Negative, Chickenfoot, Stryper, and Metal Church, while Faith No More often performed the song live. I've linked to a live video filmed during the band's Made in Japan tour. Enjoy! (Highway stardom info verified by Wikipedia)