Did Ritchie Blackmore Just Reunite Deep Purple for the Last Time?

Ritchie Blackmore’s Emotional Deep Purple Reunion: “Smoke on the Water” Brings It All Back! On this episode of Talking Guitars on Johnny Beane TV, we dive into an incredible rock history moment: Ritchie Blackmore’s emotional reunion with Deep Purple! 🎸🔥 After more than 33 years, Blackmore stepped back onstage with his former bandmates to perform the legendary “Smoke on the Water” at Jones Beach near New York. 🎸 Why This Reunion Was So Special: Ritchie Blackmore hadn’t performed with Deep Purple since 1993! Blackmore says the idea was his, because he wanted to show fans that there were no hard feelings. He told Guitar Player that he felt it could be the last time the band members might see each other. His wife, Candice Night, helped connect him with Ian Gillan, who reportedly responded, “It made me smile.” Blackmore returned to the stage with Ian Gillan, Roger Glover and Ian Paice. He brought out a Stratocaster he had used in the 1980s and played through a 50-watt amp. Blackmore admitted he hadn’t properly played a Strat in about 30 years! He kept his playing simple, letting Simon McBride handle much of the main riff before Blackmore stepped in for his own fills and solo. Blackmore described the moment as incredibly emotional, comparing it to old soldiers from the same army getting back together. 🤘 And Then There Was That Moment… During the performance, Gillan put his hand on Blackmore’s shoulder while singing, and later Blackmore grabbed Gillan’s wrist and placed his hand on the guitar. Afterward, Gillan welcomed Blackmore back, calling him “the founding member, the great legend, the immortal Ritchie Blackmore.” That’s rock history. From the classic Mark II lineup to decades of separation, clashes, reunions and everything in between, seeing Blackmore and Deep Purple sharing the stage again was something nobody knew if they would ever witness. Was this the greatest Deep Purple reunion moment in decades? Would you like to see Ritchie Blackmore perform with Deep Purple again? Let us know in the comments! 🎸 Talking Guitars on Johnny Beane TV — guitars, rock history, gear, interviews and the stories behind the music! #RitchieBlackmore #DeepPurple #SmokeOnTheWater #GuitarNews