Ritchie Blackmore to Rejoin Deep Purple: A Historic Onstage Reunion
In an exciting turn of events,legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore is set to share the stage wiht Deep Purple for the first time in over 30 years. This momentous occasion will take place on August 12 at the Northwell at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York.
Blackmore made this thrilling declaration during an instagram Live session with his wife, Candice Night, on August 11. “There’s something we wanted to share about tomorrow night,” the 81-year-old musician teased. “It’s a bit of a secret, but I might just get up and do an encore with Deep Purple.But shh, don’t tell anyone!”
Blackmore mentioned that he had discussed the idea with Deep purple’s frontman, Ian Gillan. “I asked him how he would feel about me joining them for just one song during the encore. I didn’t want to impose, just a nod to the past,” he explained.
“He seemed to like the idea, brought it to the band, and they all gave it the green light. So it looks like it’s happening!”
During the performance, Blackmore will share the stage with current deep Purple guitarist Simon McBride. He plans to use a compact amplifier that he typically employs for recording, stating, “It’s small but packs a punch.”
In preparation for this special event, Blackmore has even changed the strings on his beloved Fender Stratocaster for the first time in over two decades.”I replaced the strings on my Strat, which I haven’t done in more than 25 years,” he revealed.
Though, fans shouldn’t expect a full set from Blackmore. “It’ll likely just be one song, as it’s been quite a while since I’ve played rock music,” he noted.
Blackmore expressed admiration for McBride, calling him “a fantastic guitarist,” and also praised former Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse.
This performance will be a important milestone, marking Blackmore’s first collaboration with Deep Purple since 1993. It also signifies his return to the rock genre after reforming Rainbow for a series of concerts from 2016 to 2019.
“It’ll be great to reconnect with the old crew,” Blackmore remarked. “Though I suspect we’ll all be using crutches and wheelchairs by now,but I think the others are doing alright.”
“It’s a bit daunting, to be honest. I haven’t played rock music in 25 years,” he added, seemingly overlooking his recent performances with Rainbow. “I’ve been focused on acoustic guitar for the last quarter-century. Initially, it felt strange, but I’ve grown accustomed to it, and now I find myself more cozy with the acoustic than the electric.”
Since 1997, Blackmore has been performing with Blackmore’s Night, a band he founded with Candice Night that fuses medieval melodies with contemporary acoustic sounds. However, their fall 2025 tour was unexpectedly canceled due to Blackmore experiencing vertigo. He has also faced health challenges, including heart issues, gout, and four herniated discs in his lower back.
“I had a special injection in my lumbar region just yesterday,” Blackmore shared during his Instagram Live.”It’s a unique treatment that helps me stand while playing, as I struggle with my shoulders and lower back when performing with a Stratocaster.”
