Now Reading: Ritchie Blackmore to reunite with Deep Purple after 33 years
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Ritchie Blackmore to reunite with Deep Purple after 33 years
Ritchie Blackmore, Deep Purple’s founding guitarist and co-writer of hits like “Smoke on the Water,” plans to rejoin the band for a live performance on Wednesday at Jones Beach Theater in New…
The Story in Brief
Ritchie Blackmore, Deep Purple’s founding guitarist and co-writer of hits like “Smoke on the Water,” plans to rejoin the band for a live performance on Wednesday at Jones Beach Theater in New York. The appearance ends a 33-year estrangement since his acrimonious exit in 1993. Blackmore said on Instagram that he messaged frontman Ian Gillan about joining for one encore song, and the band agreed.
The guitarist had not performed with Deep Purple since walking off stage in 1993, and skipped their 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction after the band refused to share the stage with him. Gillan had previously ruled out any reunion, calling it “unconscionable.” It is unclear what changed Gillan’s stance. Blackmore suffered a heart attack in 2025 that affected his playing. Rolling Stone India reports the reunion may be a one-off.
The Indian Opinion
This story feeds a romantic narrative of old wounds healed by time. But the real picture is far more transactional, Blackmore needed the stage after a heart attack, and Gillan needed a box-office boost. Neither the band nor the fan should pretend this is some grand reconciliation. The test is simple: will Blackmore turn up for more than one encore, or will old tensions surface again before the final chord?
Source: rollingstoneindia.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
