Roger Glover is a Welsh bassist, songwriter, record producer, and musician who has a net worth of $35 million.

Roger Glover is best known as the longtime bassist for Deep Purple and a member of the band's celebrated Mark II lineup alongside Ian Gillan, Ritchie Blackmore, Jon Lord, and Ian Paice. He joined Deep Purple with Gillan in 1969 and helped create landmark albums including "Deep Purple in Rock," "Fireball," "Machine Head," and "Who Do We Think We Are." Glover was also one of the five credited writers of "Smoke on the Water," and the song's title famously came to him after he dreamed of smoke spreading across Lake Geneva following the fire that inspired the lyrics.

After leaving Deep Purple in 1973, Glover developed a successful second career as a producer and worked with artists including Nazareth and Status Quo. He also created the ambitious concept album "The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast" before joining Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow as bassist and producer. Glover returned to Deep Purple for the band's 1984 reunion and has remained part of the group ever since, giving him decades of touring, recording, songwriting, and catalog income. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Deep Purple in 2016.

Roger David Glover was born on November 30, 1945, in Brecon, Wales. His family later moved to London, and Glover became interested in rock music while still young.

He initially learned guitar and formed a school band called the Madisons. That group eventually merged with another local band and developed into Episode Six.

Episode Six featured singer Ian Gillan, and Glover and Gillan formed a close musical partnership. Although the band released several singles, it never achieved a major commercial breakthrough.

In 1969, Deep Purple members Ritchie Blackmore, Jon Lord, and Ian Paice decided to restructure their lineup. Gillan was recruited as vocalist and Glover followed him into the band as bassist.

The arrival of Gillan and Glover created Deep Purple's Mark II lineup, which became by far the band's most famous configuration.

Their first studio album together, "Deep Purple in Rock," represented a dramatic shift toward heavier music. "Fireball" followed in 1971, and 1972's "Machine Head" became the group's defining studio album.

Glover played bass and shared songwriting credit on "Smoke on the Water," "Highway Star," "Space Truckin'," "Lazy," and much of Deep Purple's other classic material. His importance extended beyond bass playing. He regularly contributed ideas, arrangements, lyrics, and production knowledge.

The intense recording and touring schedule eventually created serious tensions. Gillan decided to leave in 1973, and Glover was also dismissed from the band.

Being removed from Deep Purple unexpectedly opened another career for Glover. He became head of A&R at Purple Records and increasingly worked as a record producer.

Among his most notable production relationships was with Nazareth. Glover produced several of the Scottish band's albums during its rise in the 1970s. He also worked with acts including Status Quo, Judas Priest, Elf, the Ian Gillan Band, and David Coverdale.

In 1974, Glover released the concept album "The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast." The project involved numerous guest singers and musicians, including Ronnie James Dio. Dio sang the album's best-known track, "Love Is All," which became a major hit in several countries.

Glover later released additional solo albums including "Elements," "Mask," "Snapshot," and "If Life Was Easy."

Glover reunited professionally with Ritchie Blackmore when he joined Rainbow in 1979. By then, Ronnie James Dio had left and the group's music was moving toward a more radio-friendly form of hard rock.

Glover served as bassist, songwriter, and producer during the band's successful early-1980s period. He worked on albums including "Down to Earth," "Difficult to Cure," "Straight Between the Eyes," and "Bent Out of Shape."

Rainbow produced songs including "Since You Been Gone," "I Surrender," "Stone Cold," and "Street of Dreams" during this era and achieved substantial commercial success in Europe and the United States.

Deep Purple's classic Mark II lineup reunited in 1984. The comeback album "Perfect Strangers" became a major success and launched a lucrative international tour.

Glover remained when the lineup changed again and continued recording with Deep Purple after Blackmore permanently left in 1993. Unlike Blackmore, Gillan's temporary absences, and Jon Lord's eventual retirement, Glover became one of the enduring pillars of the modern band alongside Ian Paice.

Over subsequent decades, Deep Purple continued releasing new albums and touring arenas and theaters around the world. Glover also became increasingly involved in production duties on the group's recordings.

Glover's long-term finances have benefited from multiple sources. In addition to more than four decades of cumulative Deep Purple touring, he has songwriting participation in some of the band's most valuable recordings.

As a co-writer of "Smoke on the Water" and other songs from the classic Mark II period, Glover participates in royalties generated through sales, streaming, broadcasting, licensing, and public performances. His production work, Rainbow catalog, solo recordings, and continued Deep Purple activity have added further income throughout his career.

Glover and several other Deep Purple members also pursued legal action over underpaid royalties during the band's complicated financial history.

Glover has three daughters. His eldest daughter, Gillian Glover, is a musician who has also performed on some of his solo work.

He has lived for many years in Switzerland with his partner, Myriam, and their family.