Legendary rock guitarist reunites with band for first time in 33 years

EntertainmentRitchie Blackmore of Rainbow performs at Genting Arena on June 25, 2016 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Steve Thorne/Redferns via Getty Images)RedfernsBy Geoff Herbert | gherbert@syracuse.comA legendary guitarist has reunited with a classic rock band for the first time in 33 years.Ritchie Blackmore, the co-founding guitarist of Deep Purple, joined the band on stage Wednesday at the Northwell at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York. He played the iconic hit “Smoke on the Water” with singer Ian Gillan, marking his first live performance with Deep Purple since 1993.“ A couple of days ago, I got a message from a local lad. I got a letter from this man saying, ‘I only live around the corner. Do you mind if I come and jam with you?’ And I tell you, it was an absolute pleasure to have back on stage the founder member, the great legend, the immortal Ritchie Blackmore,” Gillan reportedly told the crowd afterwards. “Thanks, Ritchie. I have to say it was a great pleasure. I’ll see you in the bar.”Blackmore, 81, told Guitar Player over the weekend that the reunion was just as emotional for him as it was for fans. It was his first time playing rock music since a 2019 tour with Rainbow.“It was very moving because I went on very quickly and had to play immediately,” Blackmore told the publication. “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 were all getting older. I think we realized it could be the last time we see each other, maybe.”“I woke up one morning thinking, the day before their show, ‘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.’”Blackmore hasn’t officially retired from performing, but canceled concerts late last year with his band Blackmore’s Night due to health problems. He was diagnosed with “severe vertigo” in November after being hospitalized with migraines, vomiting, and dizziness, on top of a history of issues including a heart attack, lumbar and neck herniated discs.Blackmore is an English guitar player best known for co-founding hard rock band Deep Purple and heavy metal group Rainbow (with Ronnie James Dio). He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Deep Purple in 2016 and has been named one of the greatest and most influential guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone and Guitar Player magazines.Blackmore formed Blackmore’s Night in 1997 with his wife, Candice Night. The group plays medieval-themed folk music, though does occasionally include covers of rock songs.Blackmore left Deep Purple in 1975 to form Rainbow, but briefly reunited with Deep Purple in 1993. The latter group, known for songs like “smoke on the Water,” “Hush,” “Highway Star” and “Black Night,” still performs under the Deep Purple name with Gillan on lead vocals.Ritchie Blackmore from Rainbow performs live on stage at The Beacon Theatre in New York on November 12 1975. (Photo by Richard E. Aaron/Redferns via Getty Images)RedfernsGeoff "DeafGeoff" Herbert is a Reporter and Content Supervisor for Advance Local. He covers a wide range of topics including entertainment, national news and trending topics, plus specializes in search engine...