Ritchie Blackmore’s Heartfelt Reunion with Deep Purple: A Night to Remember
On the evening of August 12, Ritchie Blackmore experienced an emotional reunion with Deep Purple during a performance of the iconic “Smoke on the Water” at Jones Beach, just outside New York City. the moment resonated deeply not only with Blackmore but also with fans present and those watching from afar.
“It was incredibly touching because I had to jump right into the performance without any warm-up,” Blackmore shared in an email to Guitar Player after the show. “I wasn’t focused on hitting every note perfectly; my priority was reconnecting with old friends I hadn’t seen in four decades. We all felt the weight of time, realizing this could be our last chance to come together.”
Having not shared the stage with Deep Purple as November 15, 1993, in Helsinki, Blackmore revealed that the idea for this reunion was his own.He hinted at the surprise during a live-streamed chat with his wife, Candice Night, the night before the concert.
“I woke up thinking, ‘It would be great for the fans if I joined them for one song, probably ‘Smoke,’ just to show that we’re not at odds and still care for each other,’” Blackmore recounted. ”candice helped me reach out to Ian Gillan, and when I proposed the idea, he responded, ‘That made me smile.’ He then brought it to the band, and everyone was on board.”
Despite his excitement, Blackmore had reservations. He hadn’t performed rock music live since 2019 with his band Rainbow. “Initially,I was apprehensive about whether I’d be audible or if I’d blend in,” he admitted. “I noticed Simon McBride, the other guitarist, had a massive amp, so I decided to bring a 50-watt amp. Thankfully, everything worked out.”
“It was a challenge; I kept things simple and avoided overly technical playing. I did lose my place at one point, but that wasn’t the reason I was there. My goal was to mend any past grievances, but honestly, there were none. It felt like a reunion of soldiers from the same battalion, coming together after a long time apart. It was a profoundly emotional experience.”
The performance was a resounding success, showcasing a warm camaraderie between Blackmore and his former bandmates, including Gillan, bassist Roger Glover, and drummer Ian Paice. Blackmore co-founded Deep Purple in London in 1968 and remained with the band until his first departure in 1975. he returned for a reunion from 1984 to 1993, contributing to 13 of the band’s 24 studio albums and co-writing many of their classic hits.
Reflecting on past tensions, Blackmore noted, “We were both strong personalities, and that led to clashes. I’m used to leading a band, and so is he. But all of that has changed.”
When Blackmore took the stage, he was met with thunderous applause, smiling at his fellow musicians as he prepared to play. He allowed McBride to handle the main riff while he added embellishments and played a solo that echoed his classic style while incorporating new elements.During the first verse, Gillan placed his hand on Blackmore’s shoulder, and later, Blackmore playfully grabbed Gillan’s wrist, guiding his hand to slap against the guitar.
“We’re two alpha guys. So we clashed in the old days. But all that has changed.”
- Ritchie Blackmore
after the performance, Gillan embraced Blackmore and shared, “A few days ago, I received a message from a local guy asking if he could come and jam with me. It was an absolute joy to have the founding member, the legendary Ritchie Blackmore, back on stage.”
At one point, Blackmore jokingly asked Gillan, “How come you’re getting taller?” to which Gillan quipped, “It’s the other way around, mate. You’re shrinking.” Blackmore explained, “Ian has always been around six-two. I’m usually five-ten, but I’ve lost some height due to herniated discs in my back. One of the unfortunate aspects of aging is that you tend to shrink as your vertebrae compress.”
Blackmore revealed that he played a Stratocaster he had used in the ’80s for the performance. “I changed the strings and practiced a bit. I haven’t played a Strat properly in 30 years; I usually stick to acoustics at home. Playing the Strat requires a different technique, using a pick and keeping my nails short. I used lighter gauge strings this time, .046 to .010,” he noted.
The positive vibes continued after the show, with both Night and deep Purple sharing photos of the group celebrating together, some enjoying drinks from red Solo cups. Night even posted a picture of Blackmore enjoying a beer before going on stage. blackmore’s social media post read, “I hope everyone had a good night. I know I did. Thanks, lads. Keep rocking and enjoy the tour.”
Deep Purple described the event as “a monumental moment in rock history,” while Gillan expressed his gratitude in a post, stating, “What a pleasure it was to welcome Ritchie Blackmore on stage with us to play ‘smoke’ last night… Thank you, Ritchie; that meant a lot to many people, especially me.”
McBride also shared a backstage photo with Blackmore, stating, “It was an absolute pleasure to share the stage with this legend, such a great guy and an inspiration to all.”
Deep Purple is currently on tour promoting their latest album,Splat!,with dates scheduled through November 19 across the Americas,Mexico,and Europe. Earlier this year, Blackmore released a box set titled The temple of the King 1975-1976, which features the band’s first two studio albums along with rare tracks and concert recordings from 1976 in Germany.
