Ritchie Blackmore

Latest about Ritchie Blackmore

Eric Clapton, Albert Lee and Bobby Keys with The Crickets at the House of Blues Hollywood in West Hollywood, California, August 4, 2004
Albert Lee on Ritchie Blackmore, Eddie Van Halen and his five years with Eric Clapton

By Joe Matera Published

The guitar legend looks back on memorable encounters with the Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Crickets and more

Guitarists
Ritchie Blackmore performs alongside Ian Gillan at his August 12, 2026 reunion with Deep Purple at Jones Beach
Ian Gillan explains why Deep Purple’s Ritchie Blackmore reunion was a long time coming

By Phil Weller Published

The singer says he wasn’t surprised when his former bandmate joined the group onstage for the first time in 33 years

Guitarists
Ritchie Blackmore,of Rainbow on stage during the Difficult to Cure Tour on April 17, 1981 at the Cobo Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
Bobby Rondinelli says there’s another side to Ritchie Blackmore

By Martin Kielty Published

The former Rainbow drummer recalls the guitarist’s humor and generosity during three years in Rainbow

Guitarists
Ritchie Blackmore performs alongside Ian Gillan at his August 12, 2026 reunion with Deep Purple at Jones Beach
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

Guitarists
LEFT: Ritchie Blackmore performs with Rainbow at the Velodrom on April 18, 2018 in Berlin. RIGHT: Mikael Akerfeldt performs with Opeth at Tons Of Rock festival in Halden, Norway, June 22, 2018
“I was sitting outside like a stalker.” Behind Mikael Åkerfeldt’s high-stakes backstage pursuit of Ritchie Blackmore

By Phil Weller Published

Determined to glimpse his ultimate idol in Spain, the Opeth leader risked irritating the notoriously moody Rainbow legend right before showtime.

Guitarists
Ian Gillan and Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple perform on stage on the Perfect Strangers World Tour at the Entertainment Centre, Sydney, 13th December 1984.
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

Guitarists
Ritchie Blackmore of Rainbow performs at Genting Arena on June 25, 2016 in Birmingham, England
Ritchie Blackmore on the anxiety he couldn’t outrun

By Christopher Scapelliti Published

The guitarist blamed his ruthlessness on insecurity — and said he owed a debt to Eric Clapton

Guitarists
LEFT: Ritchie Blackmore onstage with Rainbow perform, April 18, 2018 in Berlin, Germany. RIGHT: Simon McBride of Deep Purple performs at RBC Amphitheatre on August 18, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario.
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

Guitarists
Ritchie Blackmore performs onstage with George Harrison on Deep Purple's Perfect Strangers World Tour at the Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia, December 12, 1984.
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

Guitarists
Ritchie Blackmore performs alongside Ian Gillan at his August 12, 2026 reunion with Deep Purple at Jones Beach
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”

Guitarists
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