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Ritchie Blackmore rejoins Deep Purple on stage after 33 years
Developed over time first seen 3 months ago
Ritchie Blackmore has performed with Deep Purple for the first time in 33 years, joining the band on stage at Jones Beach in New York for “Smoke on the Water”. The appearance marked a significant reconciliation between the founding guitarist and his former bandmates after his acrimonious departure in 1993 and decades of public estrangement.
Blackmore, 81, disclosed the planned encore during a livestream the previous evening, saying he had not played rock music for 25 years and wanted long-waiting fans to have a chance to attend. Singer Ian Gillan praised Blackmore after the performance; the guitarist had missed Deep Purple’s 2016 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction after being told the current touring line-up would not reunite with him, even briefly.
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In short
- Blackmore rejoined Deep Purple on stage after 33 years.
- They performed “Smoke on the Water” in New York.
- The cameo signals a thaw after decades of estrangement.
How this story developed
- 3 months ago The appearance was described as a surprise-style reunion, while Ian Gillan warmly praised Blackmore after the performance.
- 3 months ago It was reported that Blackmore announced the encore during a livestream, having not played rock music for 25 years.
- 3 months ago The reunion was further presented as a rare public sign of peace after Blackmore’s bitter 1993 exit, with the guitarist having alerted fans to his planned appearance.
- 3 months ago Ritchie Blackmore returned to the Deep Purple stage in New York after 33 years, playing “Smoke on the Water” at Jones Beach in a reconciliation with his former bandmates.
Explained simply
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in the late 1960s, best known for songs including “Smoke on the Water”. They are widely associated with the development of hard rock, and have had several changes of singer, guitarist and other members over the years.
Ritchie Blackmore was a founding member and the band’s lead guitarist during many of its best-known periods. He helped write much of its early music, but left in 1993 after disputes with other members and went on to work mainly on folk-influenced music with Blackmore’s Night.
Ian Gillan, Deep Purple’s long-serving singer, remains part of the band’s current touring line-up. Blackmore’s relationship with the group has been distant for decades, including around the band’s 2016 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, making any appearance alongside them unusual.
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Originally published by Variety as “Ritchie Blackmore Performs With Deep Purple for First Time Since Acrimonious Split in Early ’90s, After Warning Fans: ‘I Have Not Played Rock Music in 25 Years’”.