Montreux: A casino makes music history

Overview

The Montreux Casino in Switzerland has played a significant role in music history. It was here that the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival was launched in 1967. In 1971, the original building burned down after a concert, an event that famously inspired Deep Purple to write their hit song “Smoke on the Water.” Following the fire, a new casino was built, featuring a recording studio that attracted major international artists such as The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and Michael Jackson. Among them, Queen left an especially lasting legacy, recording their final albums there. To this day, Montreux honors the band’s iconic lead singer, Freddie Mercury, who died of AIDS in 1991.