The “extraordinary” guitarist Brian May believes is overlooked despite writing the world’s most famous riff in 1971: “A trailblazer”

Brian May has praised Ritchie Blackmore as an extraordinary, technically gifted guitarist and a trailblazer who is not discussed enough. May says Blackmore’s unpredictable playing made Deep Purple and Rainbow concerts feel exciting and “wild and dangerous”, and argues his achievements extend well beyond one famous riff.

In a 2013 interview, May chose Rainbow’s 1979 cover of Russ Ballard’s ‘Since You Been Gone’ as an example of a great guitar track, highlighting both Blackmore’s playing and drummer Cozy Powell’s performance. Blackmore wrote Deep Purple’s ‘Smoke on the Water’ riff in 1971 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; he and May also played on a 1989 charity recording of the song for Rock Aid Armenia.