Ritchie Blackmore Performs with Deep Purple for First Time in 30+ Years
The 81-year-old guitarist reached out to Ian Gillan and got band approval for one song, marking his first Deep Purple appearance since 1993.
- On Wednesday, 81-year-old founding guitarist Ritchie Blackmore will join Deep Purple for an encore at the Northwell at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York, marking his first performance with the band in 33 years.
- Following his 1993 departure amid long-simmering tensions, Blackmore reconciled with frontman Ian Gillan. The Long Island resident contacted Gillan to propose the cameo, which the band accepted for 'old times' sake.'
- The guitarist manages chronic health challenges, including herniated discs and arthritis, using a steroid injection to enable stage mobility. Blackmore re-strung his Stratocaster for the first time in over 25 years in preparation.
- Excluding "Highway Star," Blackmore confirmed the appearance is limited to a single song. He praised current guitarist Simon McBride as "very good," expressing hope to compete with McBride's amplifier setup.
- While Blackmore has primarily performed Renaissance music with his project Blackmore's Night, this appearance marks a rare return to rock after a 25-year absence. He initiated the reunion to share the moment with fans.
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In 1993 Ritchie Blackmore wrestled with the band, especially with "Deep Purple" singer Ian Gillan. Now he stood for his legendary guitar riff in "Smoke on the Water" again with the old companion on stage.
Everett Post
Ritchie Blackmore joins Deep Purple onstage for performance of ‘Smoke on the Water’
After revealing Tuesday that he would be reuniting with his former band Deep Purple, Ritchie Blackmore joined the group onstage at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York, for one of their biggest hits. Toward the end of the band's set, Blackmore, who hadn't performed with Deep Purple since 1993, came out to perform the iconic tune "Smoke on the Water." Fan-shot video shows Blackmore kicking things off with the song's iconic riff. "I gotta say …
Legendary Hard Rock Band Reunites With Founding Guitarist After Decades-Long Feud
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Ritchie Blackmore Totally Smoked His Deep Purple Reunion
Ritchie Blackmore totally smoked his Deep Purple reunion. The band’s estranged co-founder, who hadn’t ‘played rock music in 25 years,’ performed that song with that riff last night at Jones Beach Theater.
Ritchie Blackmore was a founding member of Deep Purple in the 1960s, and in 1993 he joined the band, especially with singer Ian Gillan. Now he stood for his legendary guitar riff in "Smoke on the Water" again with the old companion on stage.
The co-founder and former guitarist of the British rock group came on stage on Wednesday at the Deep Purple concert in Wantagh/Long Island in the US state of New York as a guest.
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