For a band that tackled and experimented with the day's current favorite musical trends, Episode Six has come to be known more for the famous members it spawned than for any real musical impact (two of Deep Purple's members would make their musical and songwriting debuts with Episode Six). The group was born when two high school bands in England's Harrow County merged in October 1963 to form The Lightnings. In search of a catchier band name the group adopted the new moniker Episode Six in July 1964. 

With their repertoire of Top 40 hits, the band had no trouble finding live work in the popular dance halls and clubs in and around London in the mid-sixties. They were also known to supplement their income by working the odd wedding gig too. Following in the footsteps of The Beatles, the group spent time playing clubs in Hamburg, Germany. While this helped to tighten the band's sound and made them more technically proficient, they failed to develop a unique style or catch the ear of the hip crowds of the time. After a month long stint at a club in Germany, lead singer Andy Ross quit, replaced by a nineteen-year old Londoner by the name of Ian Gillan. 

After being signed by Pye Records in November 1965, four successive singles were released in 1966. Their first release, "Put Yourself In My Place" displayed an early Beatles influence, while the flipside was a catchy Roger Glover original titled "That's All I Want". After covering an old Tokens song for their follow-up "I Hear Trumpets Blow" b/w another original "True Love Is Funny That Way", the band decided to cover a Beatles song for their next single. They chose to rework The Beatles' "Here There And Everywhere", and added another Glover original, "Mighty Morris Ten", as the B-side. Although not drastically different it stands out as a solid and catchy cover of The Fab-Four original. Without much success with their previous efforts, a temporary name and style change was attempted for their fourth single. It was credited as "Sheila Clarke and Episode Six" and was a real crooner that oozed sap and did nothing to further the band's career. 

They recovered very well to start off 1967 with, "Love, Hate, Revenge" b/w "Baby, Baby, Baby". With many of Britain's top bands experimenting with the sitar and other Eastern influences, Episode Six used both very effectively and this single is regarded by many as their best. Once again their hit-and-miss output continued, as their next two single releases in mid '67 died shortly after their release.

They capped off the year with a stand out psych-pop tune titled "I Can See Through You", this time riding the "flower-power" craze which was in full bloom at the time. Written by Roger Glover if featured layered vocal harmonies and was backed with a healthy sprinkling of psychedelic touches. Ian Gillan seems to hit his stride here and contributes a mighty vocal performance, demonstrating what he was capable of and would later achieve when Deep Purple came knocking after the departure of Rod Evans. Although a great song, it was eclipsed by the recent release of The Beatles' "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" which still had the music world buzzing since its release in June 1967.

After a falling out with their record company over the promotion and distribution of what the band thought was a sure fire hit, Episode Six left Pye and signed with MGM in February 1968. The relationship with MGM lasted just one single and after dismal sales of "Little One" b/w "Wide Smiles", the band was dropped in May. 

In yet another effort to capture mainstream attention, a further departure in style was attempted in the summer of '68. As brass instruments began to successfully mix with rock and roll around this time, the band adopted a very brass-heavy approach for their next single "Lucky Sunday", this time for Chapter One/ Decca Records. The B-side of this single, "Mr. Universe" is of note to collectors as it marks the first recorded Ian Gillan composition. Episode Six released their final single in March 1969 and folded shortly thereafter. Gillan and Glover both left to join Deep Purple in July 1969.