Maybe I'm a Leo

"Maybe I'm a Leo" is a song by the English rock group Deep Purple, from their 1972 album Machine Head.

"Maybe I'm a Leo"
Cover of the 1973 Australia single
Song by Deep Purple
from the album Machine Head
Released	March 1972
Recorded	6–21 December 1971, Montreux, Switzerland
Genre	Hard rock blues rock
Length	4:52
Label	EMI (UK) Warner Bros. (US)
Songwriter(s)	Ritchie Blackmore Ian Gillan Roger Glover Jon Lord Ian Paice
Producer(s)	Deep Purple

History

Roger Glover says: "I wrote the riff to "Maybe I'm a Leo" after hearing John Lennon's "How Do You Sleep?". I liked the idea that the riff didn't start on the down beat, like 99% of riffs do. Most of the songs on Machine Head were from the first take, or not long after."^[1]

Singer Ian Gillan is a Leo (born 19 August), the only group member at the time with that astrological sign.

The song was rarely played by the band live; however, three live recordings of it have been released on albums: Deep Purple in Concert, recorded in 1972; Live at the Olympia '96; and Live at Montreux 2011.

The SACD version of Machine Head has an alternative guitar solo on "Maybe I'm a Leo".

Personnel

• Ritchie Blackmore – guitar
• Ian Gillan – vocals
• Roger Glover – bass guitar
• Jon Lord – organ
• Ian Paice – drums

Cover versions

• The Atomic Bitchwax on their album 3.
• Gov't Mule on The Deep End, Volume 1 in which Roger Glover made a guest appearance.
• Paul Gilbert on Smoke on the Water, a Tribute to Deep Purple
• Van Halen used to perform the song during their early concerts.^[2]
• Glenn Hughes, Luis Maldonado & Chad Smith on Re-Machined: A Tribute to Deep Purple's Machine Head.
• Blindside Blues Band (2008.) on their album Keepers Of The Flame