Deep Purple insist ‘there’s no point’ ever considering a Ritchie Blackmore reunion
Ian Paice says Deep Purple wouldn’t consider reuniting with Ritchie Blackmore as you “can’t guarantee every day with him is gonna be fun.”
Blackmore exited Deep Purple back following his second stint with the band in 1993 and drummer and co-founder Ian Paice insists that more than two decades on the band are happier than ever.
Asked by The Rock Brigade podcast whether they ever could or would join forces with Ritchie again, Ian said: "Of course, the answers to both of those are 'possibly.'
“But when Ritchie left, nobody fired him, nobody said, 'You have to go.' It was his choice. And so the band continued, the band moved on. Ritchie started doing his thing, which is great.
“He was obviously happy doing it, and we've been happy doing what we've been doing for the last twenty-three, twenty-four years, 'cause that's how long ago it is."
Ian continued: "Quite honestly, there's no point for us to consider that. We have a wonderful feeling within the band, everybody's very friendly, and all we have to do is go on stage and make the music; there's no other considerations to worry about.
“I think Ritchie's life doesn't work like that. I think it's a little more complex. And at this stage of my life, I don't need cloudy areas. I like it to be clear and crystal and know that it's gonna be fun. I love Ritchie to death, but I can't guarantee every day with him is gonna be fun."
Ritchie, of course, didn’t even attend Deep Purple’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in April 2016, releasing an ominous statement on Facebook reading: "I have my reason for not attending the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony, although I appreciate the award."
Both Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow and Deep Purple have UK tours coming up in 2017 and tickets are on sale from Planet Rock Tickets now.
Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow kick off proceedings playing the following dates:
JUNE 2017
London The O2 @ Stone Free Festival – Sat 17th
Manchester Arena – Thu 22nd
Glasgow The SSE Hydro – Sun 25th
Birmingham Genting Arena – Wed 28th
Deep Purple then head out on a five-date run in November with support from Sweden’s prodigal sons Europe:
NOVEMBER 2017
Birmingham Barclaycard Arena – Fri 17th
Manchester Arena – Sat 18th
Cardiff Motorpoint Arena – Mon 20th
Glasgow SSE Hydro – Wed 22nd
London The O2 – Thu 23rd
Deep Purple’s Top 10 album ‘inFinite’ is out now. Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow release their ‘Live In Birmingham 2016’ CD on Friday 9th June.