Ritchie Blackmore

Latest about Ritchie Blackmore

Eddie Van Halen poses in the Netherlands in 1978
Ritchie Blackmore on his backstage encounters with Eddie Van Halen

By Phil Weller Published

The former Deep Purple guitarist says Van Halen was a “humble” player who “always used to underestimate himself”

Guitarists
Jeff Beck performs at Royal Festival Hall, U.K., September 13, 2002
Ritchie Blackmore explains how Jeff Beck “cheated” — and set the tone for a generation of players to follow

By Phil Weller Published

The former Deep Purple man hasn’t always had kind words to say about his peers, but this legend was on another level in his book

Guitarists
Ritchie Blackmore and Tommy Bolin comp
Ritchie Blackmore says “most guitar players aren't nice people” – names the one exception

By Phil Weller Published

The guitarist has surprised fans with an impromptu Q&A session over Instagram, and recalled his interactions with a late great

Guitarists
3rd January 1969: Rock guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, left, and keyboard player Jon Lord, right, of the group Deep Purple celebrate both their engagements to their respective girlfriends Babs Hardie and Judy Fielding, on the roof terrace at the Dorchester Hotel, London.
Ritchie Blackmore on the one musician he was closest to — and what drove a wedge between them

By Christopher Scapelliti Published

The two men reconnected before one of them died, leading Blackmore to write a song in his memory

Guitarists
Ronnie James Dio (left) and Ritchie Blackmore of Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow pose for a photo, 1977
“I kept Cozy in the band because he would bring stacks and stacks of English chocolates...”

By Gary Graff Published

Rainbow’s new nine-disc ‘Temple of the King’ box arrived with a rare invitation to debrief the elusive virtuoso.

Guitarists
Ritchie Blackmore, of the British rock band Rainbow, plays on stage during the Difficult to Cure Tour on April 17, 1981 at the Cobo Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
“An owl meeting a bumblebee in mid-flight.” Ritchie Blackmore on crafting the perfect Deep Purple–era guitar tone

By Christopher Scapelliti Published

The legend reveals how Marshall, Fender and even a tape deck helped shape his famously heavy — but barely distorted — sound

Guitarists
Steve Morse of Deep Purple performs live on stage at Hard Rock Live in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on February 10, 2022 in Hollywood, Florida.
Steve Morse says 95% of his ideas for Deep Purple were dismissed, but he found a kindred spirit in one member

By Phil Weller Published

He’s Deep Purple’s longest-serving guitarist, but his creativity wasn’t always utilized

Guitarists
LEFT: British rock and roll band Nero And The Gladiators performing in a Paris street, 8th July 1961. They are in the city for a music hall production. RIGHT: Deep Purple Ritchie Blackmore live at Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, May 1985.
Did this novelty act inspire the greatest guitar riff of all time?

By Phil Weller last updated

Blackmore didn’t feel as connected to the blues as his peers. For him, this band made all the difference

Guitarists
Ritchie Blackmore of Rainbow performs at Genting Arena on June 25, 2016 in Birmingham, England.
Ritchie Blackmore explains the health scare that forced him to cancel his 2025 tour

By Christopher Scapelliti Published

The hard rock guitar icon called off the road show on November 15, just days after it had begun

Guitarists
Ritchie Blackmore of Rainbow performs at Genting Arena on June 25, 2016 in Birmingham, England.
Ritchie Blackmore cancels Blackmore’s Night tour as new health concerns arise

By Phil Weller Published

The tour has been postponed for “medical reasons,” with five dates affected

Guitarists
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Archives