Deep Purple are a British hard rock band originally from London. Formed in March 1968, the group originally included guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, vocalist Rod Evans, keyboardist Jon Lord, drummer Ian Paice and bassist Nick Simper. In mid-1969, Evans and Simper were replaced by Ian Gillan and Roger Glover. After four years, Gillan and Glover departed in 1973, and were replaced by David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes. Tommy Bolin replaced Blackmore in 1975, with this lineup continuing until Deep Purple broke up in July 1976. The group re-formed in April 1984 with the "Mark II" lineup of Blackmore, Lord, Paice, Gillan and Glover. The current lineup, dubbed "Mark IX", features Paice, Gillan, Glover, keyboardist Don Airey and guitarist Simon McBride.