Ritchie Blackmore Returns to Stage with Deep Purple After 33 Years for Historic 'Smoke on the Water' Performance

Ritchie Blackmore, a foundational member of Deep Purple and the guitarist who shaped the band's signature sound, made a historic return to the stage with his former bandmates after a 33-year absence. The 81-year-old musician appeared at a concert in New York, performing the legendary track "Smoke on the Water" with the group.

The guitarist's reappearance was a surprise, announced only at the beginning of the week. Blackmore, who departed Deep Purple in 1993, reached out to vocalist Ian Gillan with the proposal to play one song during the band's show in Long Island, where he currently resides. The band accepted the offer, and the reunion materialized, as reported by Guitar World.

"It was an absolute pleasure to have our founding member, the great legend, the immortal... Ritchie Blackmore back on stage!" exclaimed Ian Gillan to the audience. The chosen song, "Smoke on the Water," is one of Deep Purple's most recognized hits and a testament to Blackmore's guitar prowess. He not only played the famous riff but also delivered several solo passages, thrilling the crowd.

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It was an absolute pleasure to have our founding member, the great legend, the immortal... Ritchie Blackmore back on stage!

The reunion was particularly emotional as Blackmore has largely stepped away from playing electric guitar rock. He humorously noted before the concert that he hadn't played rock in about 25 years and primarily focused on acoustic guitar at home. "It'll be interesting. Depends on what I drink too," he quipped.

Blackmore meticulously prepared for the performance, changing the strings on his Fender Stratocaster, which he hadn't touched in over 25 years, and ensuring his amplifier was set up correctly. He also managed his health, revealing he has four herniated discs in his lower back and received a steroid injection to be able to stand and play. A chair was prepared on stage as a precaution.

While the New York appearance was for a single song, it marked Blackmore's first live performance with Deep Purple since his departure in 1993, creating an unforgettable moment for fans.

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I'll be interesting. Depends on what I drink too.