Ritchie Blackmore

Latest about Ritchie Blackmore

Rainbow featuring guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, singer Ronnie James Dio (1942-2010), keyboard player Mickey Lee Soule, bassist Craig Gruber and drummer Gary Driscoll, posed in Los Angeles, June 1975.
How Rainbow bassist Craig Gruber galloped his way through a hard-rock classic alongside Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio

By Chris Jisi Published

Having become disillusioned with Deep Purple’s growing love of funk, Ritchie Blackmore jumped ship in August 1975 – taking most of Purple’s opening act with him

Bassists
Ritchie Blackmore of Rainbow performs at Genting Arena on June 25, 2016 in Birmingham, England
Ritchie Blackmore says most guitarists aren’t nice people – but names one player who bucks the trend

By Phil Weller Published

Blackmore reserves particularly high praise for one of his Deep Purple successors

Guitarists
British guitarist and songwriter Ritchie Blackmore, wearing a black shirt, playing a Fender Stratocaster in sunburst, as his band, British rock band Deep Purple, performs live, 1972
The moment Ritchie Blackmore knew he’d leave Deep Purple

By Phil Weller Published

Blackmore looks back on his Deep Purple departure

10 Comments
Guitarists
Ritchie Blackmore tears his Fender Stratocaster a new one as he performs live with Deep Purple in the early '70s.
How Ritchie Blackmore came across an obscure string mod that introduced him to a whole new sound – and why it didn’t work for him

By Jonathan Horsley Published

Burton proved it was possible to use banjo strings on guitar, but Blackmore’s early adventures with the hack got mixed results

Guitarists
Steve Morse and Ritchie Blackmore
Steve Morse on the challenges of putting his own stamp on Deep Purple’s material

By Phil Weller Published

Ritchie Blackmore's legacy loomed large when Morse first stepped up to fill his shoes

Guitarists
Ritchie Blackmore of the British band Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow performs live on stage during a concert at the Velodrom on April 18, 2018 in Berlin, Germany.
Ritchie Blackmore issues health update after tour cancellation

By Phil Weller Published

The guitar legend has opened up on his recent health issues after a handful of Blackmore's Night shows were cancelled

Guitarists
(L-R) Candice Night and Ritchie Blackmore of Blackmore's Night perform live during a concert at the Admiralspalast on July 8, 2016 in Berlin, Germany
Ritchie Blackmore’s band cancels all remaining tour dates, citing medical reasons

By Janelle Borg Published

Earlier this year, Candice Night, one of the co-founders of Blackmore's Night and the guitarist's wife, revealed that Blackmore was battling a series of health issues

Bands
Ritchie Blackmore and Jeff Beck
Ritchie Blackmore on Jeff Beck’s imposter syndrome

By Phil Weller Published

Both guitarists revolutionized rock guitar – but Beck wasn’t always the biggest fan of his own work

7 Comments
Guitarists
Photo of Phil LYNOTT and THIN LIZZY, Phil Lynott performing live onstage. 1970S, Ritchie Blackmore.
How Phil Lynott narrowly missed the chance to form a supergroup alongside Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore

By Nick Wells Published

The name Baby Face would end up being used as a song title on Thin Lizzy’s next album

3 Comments
Bassists
Eric Johnson performs on stage during the G3 tour stop at The Magnolia on February 07, 2024 in El Cajon, California
How a support slot with Deep Purple and a last-minute guitarist replacement led to Eric Johnson meeting Christopher Cross

By Janelle Borg Published

Johnson cut his teeth as a session player for the likes of Cat Stevens, Carole King, Steve Morse, and, of course, Christopher Cross

Guitarists
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