Ritchie Blackmore says he’d play one final show with Deep Purple ‘for nostalgic reasons’
Guitar legend Ritchie Blackmore says he’d be up for uniting with Deep Purple for one final show.
Speaking to Germany's Rock N Roll Reporter to promote a Blackmore’s Night show next month, Ritchie was asked whether he’d ever like to perform on stage with Deep Purple again.
Ritchie, who co-founded Deep Purple in 1968 and quit in 1993, commented (via Blabbermouth): "I think if they would be interested, and our schedules aligned, I would be available for one show, for nostalgic reasons.
“But I don't think Deep Purple have any interest in that. They have their niche and are not into doing things like that. We are friends and I've doing my music for twenty years, and they're doing their stuff for twenty years.
“It's probably not likely (to happen). Also, their management wouldn't like it, even if it was for just one show. Their management wouldn't allow it, I'm sure."
In an interview with The Guardian back in May, Ritchie said he “bears no malice” to Deep Purple and would play with them if asked, however he admitted it was “probably not probable.”
In April, Ian Paice said Deep Purple wouldn’t consider reuniting with Ritchie Blackmore as you “can’t guarantee every day with him is gonna be fun.”
Ian told The Rock Brigade Podcast: “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.
"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 at the time that read: "I have my reason for not attending the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony, although I appreciate the award."
Deep Purple head out on a five-date UK tour in November with support from Sweden’s prodigal sons Europe. Tickets are on sale from Planet Rock Tickets now.
It calls in at the following dates:
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