Ritchie Blackmore says his reunion with Deep Purple on Wednesday night, August 12, for a performance of “Smoke on the Water” at Jones Beach near New York City was as emotional for him as it was for fans at the venue — and around the world.
“It was very moving because I went on very quickly and had to play immediately,” Blackmore told Guitar Player via email afterward. “I couldn’t warm up, but I wasn’t there to be playing correct notes. I was there to see old friends. I hadn’t seen in 40 years and were all getting older. I think we realized it could be the last time we see each other, maybe.”
Blackmore — who had not performed with Deep Purple since November 15, 1993, in Helsinki, Finland — says the “hell freezes over”–caliber event was his idea. In fact, he indicated the guest appearance would be happening during a live-streamed conversation with his wife and Blackmore’s Night bandmate Candice Night the evening before the Jones Beach concert.
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“I woke up one morning thinking, the day before their show, ‘You know it would be good for the fans if I just got up for one song, probably ‘Smoke’ and just show that were not at each other’s throats and don’t hate each other,’” the guitarist tells Guitar Player.
“Candice, my wife, got me in touch with Ian Gillan and I said, ‘What do you think about me getting up for ‘Smoke?’ His exact words were, ‘It made me smile.’ He then put it to the band and it was thumbs-up all around.”
Nevertheless, Blackmore had some concerns. He hasn’t played full-on rock onstage since 2019 with his band Rainbow.
“I had my misgivings at first, as I didn’t know if I would be heard or too quiet or whatever,” he acknowledges. “I could see the guitarist [Simon McBride], who is very good, had a big amplifier, and I thought I’ll just bring a 50-watt amp, but luckily it all worked.
“It was tricky; I didn’t play anything too technical, as I felt I should stick to the rudiments of being simple. I still lost my place at one point, but it’s not why I was there. I was there to heal any wounds — but there weren’t any wounds. Everyone was like, we were in the army, all along the Western front and we were all getting together again. Very emotional moment.”
The appearance, and performance, was a clear triumph by all measures, with a visible bonhomie between the black-clad Blackmore and former Mark II bandmates Gillan, bass guitarist Roger Glover and drummer Ian Paice, with whom Blackmore co-founded Deep Purple during 1968 in London. The guitarist was with the band until his acrimonious first departure in 1975, then joined for a Mark II reunion from 1984 to 1993. He was part of 13 of the group’s 24 studio albums and co-wrote most of the band’s classic material.
“We’re two alpha guys,” Blackmore said of the past clashes between he and Gillan. “I’m used to running a band, and I think he’s used to running a band. So we clashed in the old days. But all that [has] changed.”
Blackmore came onstage to a huge ovation on Wednesday, smiling at the other musicians as he plugged in and prepared to play. He let McBride carry the main riff while he laced in some fills at the beginning and playing the mid-song solo, which touched on his past approach but incorporated some fresh touches. During the first verse Gillan sang with his hand on Blackmore’s shoulder, and in the third verse Blackmore grabbed Gillan’s wrist and had the frontman’s hand slapping on his guitar.
We’re two alpha guys. So we clashed in the old days. But all that [has] changed.”
— Ritchie Blackmore
After the performance Gillan wrapped an arm around Blackmore’s shoulder and said, “A couple days ago I got a message from a local lad... saying, ‘I only live around the corner, do you mind if I come and jam with you? And I tell you it was an absolute pleasure to have back onstage the founding member, the great legend, the immortal Ritchie Blackmore.”
At one point Blackmore asked, “How come you’re getting so much taller than me?” to which Gillan replied, “It’s the other way around, mate. You’re shrinking.”
“Ian’s always been something like six-two,” Blackmore explained afterward. “I’m usually five-10 but I have herniated discs in my back that I’ve probably lost an inch to, so I was shorter... One of the problems that comes with age is you to get shorter as the back vertebrae compresses more.”
Wednesday’s choice of guitar, Blackmore added, “was a Strat I used to play in the ’80s. I changed the strings and practiced a little bit. I haven’t played a Strat properly for 30 years; I’ve done the occasional solo but I usually play acoustics around the house. I use my right and for finger picking with long nails, but playing the Strat I have to play with a plectrum and have very short nails. A whole different technique. My strings were .046 to .010,” a lighter gauge than he played previously.
The good feelings were on display immediately after the show. Both Night and Purple posted photos of everyone posting together after the show, some drinking from red Solo cups. (Night also posted a shot of Blackmore quaffing a beer prior to going on.) A message on the guitarist’s social media red, “Good night had by all, I hope. I know I had a great time. Thanks a lot lads. Carry on and have a good tour.”
Deep Purple’s post-show post called it “a big moment in rock history,” while Gillan’s own post read, “What a pleasure it was to welcome Ritchie Blackmore on stage with us to play Smoke last night... Thanks Ritchie, that meant a lot to many people; not least me.”
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McBride shared a photo of himself with Blackmore backstage, reading, “My absolute pleasure to share the stage with this legend, such a great guy and an inspiration to all.”
Deep Purple are continuing their tour supporting the band’s latest album, Splat!, with dates running through November 19 in the Americas, Mexico and Europe. Earlier this year, meanwhile, Blackmore released a Rainbow box set The Temple of the King 1975–1976, chronicling the band’s first two studio albums along with rarities and concert recordings from 1976 in Germany.
