As promised, Ritchie Blackmore joined Deep Purple on stage for the first time in 33 years at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York on Wednesday night. The Rock and Roll Hall Fame guitarist reunited with his former band for a scorching rendition of “Smoke on the Water.” Blackmore co-founded Deep Purple in 1968, but hadn’t played with the band since exiting in 1993.
In an Instagram video released ahead of Wednesday’s appearance, Ritchie Blackmore explained that not only would he be joining Deep Purple for the first time in decades, but it would mark his first time playing rock music of any kind in many years, save for a brief Rainbow reunion in 2016.
Reunion Performance
“So, that’s gonna be interesting,” Blackmore said. “I have not played rock music in 25 years, actually. It’ll be good to see the old guys again. I think we’ll all be on crutches and wheelchairs and things, although I think the rest of them are okay. But, yes, it’s kind of frightening. I haven’t played rock in 25 years… I’ve been playing acoustic guitar for 25 years, and at first I was very uncomfortable playing it, but I got used to it, and now I’m used to playing the acoustic more so than the electric.”
In brief remarks following Blackmore‘s performance, singer Ian Gillan told the audience that the guitarist himself had been the impetus for the reunion. “A couple of days ago, I got a message from a local man saying, ‘I only live around the corner. Do you mind if I come and jam with you?’”
Current Tour
Deep Purple are currently on a North American summer tour supporting their most recent album, SPLAT!, with support from Kansas. Tickets are available for the tour, which will feature the band performing their iconic songs, including “Smoke on the Water”.
While Blackmore‘s return to Deep Purple was no doubt welcome news for many fans, especially after years of animosity with his former bandmates that even led to him skipping the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016, it’s unlikely he’ll become a recurring presence on Deep Purple‘s current tour. As Blackmore explained in the aforementioned Instagram video, he has a number of health challenges and it required a lot just to get on stage for Wednesday’s cameo.
“I did have my injection in my lumbar area. It’s a special injection I have that enables me to stand in one spot, because if I’m playing a Strat, I have a hard time… I have four herniated discs, if anybody wants them. And I had my injection yesterday of a steroid which helps me get through standing on stage. But I have kind of a stool there, just in case I start toppling over or something.”
The reunion performance was met with excitement from fans, with many taking to social media to express their surprise and delight at Blackmore‘s return to the stage with Deep Purple. As one fan tweeted, “Richie Blackmore makes his first appearance with Deep Purple in 33 years. Incredible.”
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