Deep Purple
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Why Ritchie Blackmore’s Deep Purple return delighted ex singer Joe Lynn Turner
By Martin Kielty Published
Vocalist believes brief but powerful moment on stage sends a message about dismissing anger and hate from life

Ritchie Blackmore on why Deep Purple couldn’t survive with him and Ian Gillan onboard
By Phil Weller Published
The two Deep Purple legends once stopped speaking to each other. Here’s the story behind the reunion no one thought would ever happen

Simon McBride defends Ritchie Blackmore after Deep Purple jam
By Martin Kielty Published
McBride shared his pride over being icon’s rhythm guitarist on his historic “Smoke on the Water” jam with Blackmore

Ritchie Blackmore recalls when George Harrison jammed with Deep Purple
By Phil Weller Published
Watch Harrison perform with the British hard rockers on an energetic version of Little Richard’s "Lucille" in 1984

EXCLUSIVE: Ritchie Blackmore reveals the story behind his emotional Deep Purple reunion: “I think we realized it could be the last time we see each other”
By Gary Graff Published
In a new Guitar Player interview, Blackmore describes the joy of his "Smoke on the Water" performance: “I was there to heal any wounds — but there weren’t any wounds”

“Can I state here that I hate the Police?” Ritchie Blackmore says the band helped bring Deep Purple back together
By Phil Weller Published
The guitarist saw a gap for Deep Purple’s earthy, aggressive rock at the height of the Police’s success

Ritchie Blackmore plays “Smoke on the Water” as he reunites with Deep Purple for the first time in 33 years
By Christopher Scapelliti Published
The guitarist joined the rock group he helped found at their August 12 performance

Ritchie Blackmore to reunite with Deep Purple for first time in 33 years. “It’ll be good to see the old guys again”
By Christopher Scapelliti Published
The guitarist says he will join the rock group for one song at a show tonight at New York’s Jones Beach Theater

Simon McBride explains why some Deep Purple guitar parts are untouchable
By Phil Weller Published
Despite being told not to imitate Ritchie Blackmore or Steve Morse, the Deep Purple guitarist says classics like “Highway Star” demand a different approach.

“They didn’t know what it was!” Ritchie Blackmore on the mysterious illness that took him offstage — and brought in Christopher Cross
By Phil Weller Last updated
Blackmore’s mystery illness sent him to a Texas hospital on Deep Purple’s first U.S. gig, while a local guitar hero came to his rescue
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