Blackmore’s Night, the neo-medieval folk-rock outfit led by former Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, has postponed its current tour due to medical reasons.
The band’s show at the Newton Theater in New Jersey on Saturday, November 15, was called off on the day of the performance. A scheduled date in Wilmington, Delaware, on Thursday, November 20, was postponed two days later. A third announcement followed yesterday, confirming that the entire tour had been put on hold, with five dates affected in total.
“All Blackmore’s Night shows postponed at this point due to medical reasons,” Blackmore’s wife and vocalist, Candice Night, wrote on Instagram. “We are sorry for any inconvenience.”
The details of those reasons are currently unspecified, but it sparks fresh concerns regarding Blackmore's health. Night had listed three issues that were keeping Blackmore off the road in August. In October, it was hoped that the most pressing problems were behind the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer as a string of tour dates was announced.
Although there’s no official confirmation that the medical issue involves Blackmore, fans have been quick to connect the dots, with a host of well-wishes left on Night’s post.
Earlier this year, Night had detailed how their touring abilities had been severely limited by Blackmore’s health. He suffered a heart attack approximately two years ago, which had initially left him struggling to pick up an electric guitar — or mandola, as he more often plays with Blackmore's Night. He has also had issues with back pain and gout.
“We don't have a tour bus, and we don't have private planes. If we go someplace, I'm driving,” the singer had explained. “It's like a mini road trip. You get to the venue, you go back, you get a good night's sleep that night.”
In a separate interview with Total Rock (via Ultimate Classic Rock), Night had revealed the impact his heart attack had on the guitarist.
“Ritchie has actually been told by his cardiologist not to get on a plane,” she said. “He had a heart attack. He’s got six stents.
“He doesn’t look 80, still doesn’t act it. But eventually medical things wind up catching up with you.”
Blackmore played on nine Deep Purple albums across his first run with the group, including four with Ian Gillan, before ego clashes with the vocalist meant one of them had to go for the band to survive.
He later joined forces with Ronnie James Dio to form Rainbow, but while they were billed as equals in the group, it quickly became evident that the Brit was in charge.
Speaking to Guitar Player in 1973, while at the height of Deep Purple's powers, Blackmore spoke candidly about Steve Howe, Jimi Hendrix and his classical influences.
