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Why Ritchie Blackmore’s Deep Purple Reunion Moved Fans to Tears

Now Spinning Magazine

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Ritchie Blackmore has performed with Deep Purple for the first time since 1993, joining the band at Jones Beach in New York for an unforgettable version of “Smoke on the Water.”
In this video, I share my emotional response to those extraordinary six minutes—not simply the notes Ritchie played, but the smiles, affection and very human interaction between him, Ian Gillan and the rest of Deep Purple.
This was not about recreating the past. Neither Ritchie Blackmore nor Deep Purple has anything left to prove. It was about old musical brothers putting their differences aside while there was still time and allowing the music to bring them together again.
I also pay tribute to Candice Night, Simon McBride and everyone who helped make this remarkable moment possible.
Music is the healer and the doctor.
What did this reunion mean to you? Did you ever believe that we would see Ritchie Blackmore sharing a stage with Deep Purple again? Please share your thoughts and memories in the comments.

Thank you for all your support
Phil

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20 Comments

@vladimircokorilo 1 month ago

The fact that Gillan and Blackmore made peace and performed again live is a sign of the world slowly healing.

@argsigil7208 1 month ago

Just the fact that Ritchie stood on stage with the members of Deep Purple is a wonderful thing. It's so emotional for us real Deep Purple fans.

@RichardW001 1 month ago

Ian and Ritchie's smiling faces were a joy to behold.

@JanLauritzen 1 month ago

Somewhere in Heaven, Jon Lord is looking down, smiling and can finally, truly Rest In Peace!

@giuseppesoccio8933 1 month ago

Ian Gillan and Ritchie Blackmore together on stage, reconciled, is the most "if I can change and you can change, everybody can change" moment in recent history.

@jaimeres 1 month ago

For “real” Deep Purple fans, this was fantastic. I got tearful watching several videos. I also want to commend Simon for letting Ritchie be the star, and stepping to the side while Ritchie was playing.

@blackdog6219 1 month ago

It didn't matter how Blackmore played it was seeing him on stage with the band one more time. At 81 years old it shows it's never too late to make amends.

@delorangeade 1 month ago

A lot of us watching this are probably of an age where we've lost people, or lost touch with people along the way, sometimes with regrets and things left unresolved. So for fans of Deep Purple and Ritchie, and hopefully for the people involved, I hope everyone will feel better and sleep easier because this performance took place.

@jasondesjardins7371 1 month ago

The fact that they not only played together again but also showed some signs of old, fragile, but genuine affection and friendship between them was all I needed to see. I hope they can leave it at that. So proper to bury the hatchet and just be...friends.

@angoethomsen2315 1 month ago

Every Purple Fan have a tear in his eye. Well done boys!!👍👍👍

@simonrichards3225 1 month ago

At the end of the day it was just good to see Blackmore & Gillan make peace with each other. No better way to do it.

@rodrigodemarqui6063 3 days ago

Getting old is a process that transforms broken relationships sometimes.

@mikesgolfshop 1 month ago

You can see pure joy on Ritchie’s face. Ian had the same feeling as did other band members

@kobayashimaru7427 1 month ago

Can't help feeling Ritchie knows his time is coming and wanted to clear the air with Deep Purple

@henrikkarlsson1088 1 month ago (edited)

Made a grown man cried. The music event of the year! My grandfather used to say "long after it´s impossible it can happen"

@publicanimal 1 month ago

Sure, you could tell that Ritchie's hands weren't complying with all the signals his brain was trying to send them, but it humanized the performance. He is 81 and has arthritis and a host of other more serious health issues. The joy for me was seeing him getting one last go with the band he founded and making some peace with Ian Gillan. You could tell Ian Gillan was buoyant and happy to let bygones be bygones and give Ritchie and the fans that great moment.

@rolandconnor575 1 month ago

There have been many sad days over recent years of these icons passing on - when Ritchie goes, it will be the saddest for me. But last night was one of the most joyous.

@PeterJBlanchard 1 month ago

The touch, the tone, his sound it was all there. Great to see them on stage together possibly for the last time and, burying the hatchet...again!

@mightymiserable 1 month ago

The interplay between the Gillan and Blackmore was something to behold. After years of an oil and vinegar existence, they found a way to be butter and cream for one night...and it was simply amazing. Truly!

@slipperyj6155 1 month ago

Dear Sir,
Thank you for the kind and special words, I will be 60 in October, I grew up in the 70’s and always enjoyed this music. It is very special to see this unexpected guest performance, Ritchie sounded great!