Ritchie Blackmore believes his recent reunion with Deep Purple may have been the “last time” the musicians will ever meet.
The London group’s founding guitarist performed with Deep Purple last week for the first time in 33 years. Blackmore joined the band for their 1972 favourite ‘Smoke On The Water’ during a concert in Wantagh, New York.
Reflecting on the appearance during an interview with Guitar Player, Blackmore said: “It was very moving because I went on very quickly and had to play immediately. I couldn’t warm up, but I wasn’t there to be playing correct notes.”
“I was there to see old friends I hadn’t seen in 40 years and we’re all getting older. I think we realised it could be the last time we see each other, maybe.”
Earlier in the interview, Blackmore described how the idea came to him shortly before Deep Purple’s performance. “I woke up one morning thinking, the day before their show [thinking], ‘You know it would be good for the fans if I just got up for one song, probably ‘Smoke’ and just show that were not at each other’s throats and don’t hate each other’.”
He went on to describe reuniting with classic members Ian Gillan, Ian Paice and Roger Glover as “very emotional”, although he admitted that returning to the stage with them was “tricky”.
“I didn’t play anything too technical, as I felt I should stick to the rudiments of being simple,” Blackmore continued.
“I still lost my place at one point, but it’s not why I was there. I was there to heal any wounds – but there weren’t any wounds. Everyone was like, we were in the army, all along the Western front and we were all getting together again. Very emotional moment.”
The concert also marked the first time in 44 years that Blackmore had performed with Deep Purple keyboard player Don Airey, who left Rainbow in 1982.
Blackmore also reflected on the disagreements with Gillan that preceded his departure from Deep Purple in 1993. “We’re two alpha guys,” he explained. “I’m used to running a band, and I think he’s used to running a band. So we clashed in the old days. But all that changed.”
Discussing why he selected a yellow Stratocaster for the reunion, Blackmore explained that it “was a Strat I used to play in the ’80s”. He continued: “I changed the strings and practiced a little bit. I haven’t played a Strat properly for 30 years; I’ve done the occasional solo but I usually play acoustics around the house.
“I use my right and for finger picking with long nails, but playing the Strat I have to play with a plectrum and have very short nails. A whole different technique.”
Blackmore previously revealed how the unexpected appearance came together during a livestream. “I sent my AI pigeon to Ian Gillan in Portugal, where he lives at the moment, and I said, ‘How would you feel if I got up just for an encore on one of the songs. Don’t want to intrude.’
“And I said, ‘No pressure, just kind of old times’ sake.’ You know, I’m 81 now. So [Gillan] seemed to like the idea, put it to the band, got a thumbs up, and it looks like we might be doing that.”
He also acknowledged the physical difficulties involved in returning to Deep Purple’s heavier material after spending recent years playing a gentler folk rock style.
Deep Purple are touring North America behind their latest studio album, ‘Splat!’, which arrived in July. The group will perform a major concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall in November during their forthcoming UK and European tour. Remaining tickets are available here for the UK and Europe and here for North America.
In 2025, Ian Gillan revealed that his eyesight was deteriorating and said retirement was “not far off”. “It’s one of those things. I’ve only got 30 per cent vision,” he explained.
