Blackmore Reunites with Deep Purple
81-year-old guitarist plays 'Smoke on the Water' after 33-year hiatus and 25 years away from rock music
Ritchie Blackmore performed with Deep Purple for the first time in 33 years at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York, playing a rendition of 'Smoke on the Water' with the band. The reunion took place during the encore of Deep Purple's concert on Wednesday, August 12th.
The reunion was announced by Blackmore himself in an Instagram Live stream with his wife Candace Night on Tuesday, August 11th. Blackmore had not played rock music in 25 years, except for a brief Rainbow reunion in 2016, and had been dealing with various health issues, including a recent vertigo attack, severe gout, arthritis, and heart and back issues.
Blackmore co-founded Deep Purple in 1968 and left the band in 1993. He has been living on Long Island, where the concert took place. Deep Purple is currently on a North American summer tour supporting their most recent album, SPLAT!, with support from Kansas.
Ian Gillan, the frontman of Deep Purple, welcomed Ritchie Blackmore back on stage and thanked him after the performance. Blackmore had announced that he would join the band for the encore, and the crowd was treated to a scorching rendition of 'Smoke on the Water'.
## Why it matters The reunion is significant for fans of Deep Purple, as Blackmore had not performed with the band in over three decades. The performance marks a rare opportunity for fans to see the legendary guitarist play with his former bandmates. With Deep Purple currently on tour, the reunion is a highlight of their North American summer tour.
The reunion also marks a rare return to rock music for Blackmore, who has been playing acoustic guitar for the past 25 years. Despite his health issues, Blackmore's performance was well-received by the crowd, and the reunion is a testament to the enduring legacy of Deep Purple's music.
## What happens next Deep Purple will continue their North American summer tour, with support from Kansas. Fans can expect to see the band perform their latest album, SPLAT!, as well as classic hits like 'Smoke on the Water'. While it is unclear if Blackmore will join the band for any further performances, the reunion has generated excitement among fans and has highlighted the enduring legacy of Deep Purple's music.
