Turns out, Ritchie Blackmore’s sudden switch from the outsized rock riffage of Deep Purple and Rainbow to the the medieval folkways of Blackmore’s Night shouldn’t come as such a surprise. You May Also Like: Ian Gillan expounds on his shocking split with Ritchie Blackmore: ‘I didn’t want Deep Purple toRead More

With time comes nostalgia, for the way we want to remember things — rather, sometimes, than the way they actually were. Such is the case, Ian Gillan argues, with Deep Purple fans and Ritchie Blackmore. You May Also Like: Ian Gillan expounds on his shocking split with Ritchie Blackmore: ‘IRead More

Getting the old gang back together after more than decade to record a studio album was one thing for Deep Purple. The true test of the Mark II edition’s newfound musical camaraderie would be found on the concert trail. You May Also Like: Ian Gillan expounds on his shocking splitRead More

Candice Night, having met Ritchie Blackmore after a final breakup with Deep Purple, recognized something immediately about the often-dour guitar virtuoso: “You can’t get more black than Blackmore, right?” You May Also Like: Ian Gillan expounds on his shocking split with Ritchie Blackmore: ‘I didn’t want Deep Purple to beRead More

Detailing almost the precise moment that Ritchie Blackmore began his transition toward ren-faire rock, this 1995 Rainbow performance for Germany’s Rockpalast isn’t by any means essential — but it sure is interesting. You May Also Like: Moody and mystical, Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow debut launched medieval metal Ian Gillan expounds onRead More

For those Deep Purple and Rainbow fans who’ve struggled to come to grips with Ritchie Blackmore’s turn toward ren-faire folkism with Blackmore’s Night, Dancer and the Moon might just provide the perfect entry point. You May Also Like: Moody and mystical, Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow debut launched medieval metal Dio’s Often-ForgottenRead More

If you have any doubt who the greatest singer in the history of metal, heck, maybe in the history of rock ‘n’ roll is, just pop this DVD into your player and fast forward to the second song. You May Also Like: Moody and mystical, Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow debut launchedRead More

At the time, punk was thought of as the fast and rough stuff, with classic rock geezers like Ritchie Blackmore already relegated to the dustbin of history. Hardly. Rainbow’s molten Live in Munich, recorded in 1977, zips along at a blinding pace. You May Also Like: Moody and mystical, RitchieRead More

After a season of loss for David Coverdale, the Deep Purple and Whitesnake frontman says he’s reaching out to former band mates like Ritchie Blackmore — saying life is simply too short to nurse bad feelings. You May Also Like: Ian Gillan expounds on his shocking split with Ritchie Blackmore:Read More

Capturing the last concert from Deep Purple’s Mk III lineup, as Ritchie Blackmore subsequently left to form Rainbow, Live in Paris: 1975 also works as another glimpse into the brilliance of the recently deceased Jon Lord. You May Also Like: Ian Gillan on Deep Purple’s legendary lineup changes: ‘Our careerRead More