Houses of Art — Season 1, Episode 4: Montreux: A casino makes music history
Documentary • 27 min • 2 seasons, 8 episodes
Episode synopsis
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.
About Houses of Art
The series Houses of Art takes viewers to places where great artists lived, worked, and found inspiration. It is in these settings that masterpieces were created and personal dramas unfolded—offering a cinematic journey of discovery through the landmarks of European art history. Far from the bustle of the world, artists found creative momentum in homes that still bear the imprint of their genius today, attracting visitors from all corners of the globe.