Glenn Hughes Explains What Sparked Ritchie Blackmore’s California Jam Meltdown

In a recent interview with Ultimate Guitar, Glenn Hughes offered a rare, firsthand account of one of rock’s most infamous live moments: Ritchie Blackmore’s destructive outburst during Deep Purple’s 1974 California Jam performance.

Hughes, the band’s bassist at the time, shed light on the backstage drama that led to Blackmore’s onstage mayhem—an event that’s been replayed and dissected by fans and historians for decades.

A Festival Running Too Smoothly

According to Hughes, the chaos began when the California Jam festival began running ahead of schedule. As a result, Deep Purple was asked to take the stage earlier than planned—immediately following Black Sabbath’s set.

“We didn’t know about that. All I know is that the festival was running an hour ahead, so it was running quickly,” Hughes recalled. “Sabbath had just finished, and we were asked to go on right after them. We had a contract saying we go on at sunset, and it wasn’t sunset. It was still sunny.”

The early start time created immediate tension. Ritchie Blackmore, known for his meticulous control over stage presentation, was particularly incensed. His light show had been designed for dusk, not daylight, and the scheduling shift threw off his vision entirely.

“Blackmore had a meltdown, as you can remember, and he wouldn’t play,” Hughes said.

Backstage Tension Boils Over

Hughes detailed the uncomfortable standoff that unfolded backstage as organizers tried—and failed—to persuade Blackmore to perform.

“For 45 minutes, they were trying to get in his trailer,” he said. “They finally broke in there, and he wasn’t even dressed to go on stage. Basically, he was forced to go on stage. Consequently, the air in the camp was now dark. When he was dark, it was all off.”

Despite the mounting pressure, Deep Purple eventually took the stage. The result was one of their most aggressive and unhinged performances ever. Hughes admitted that, even in the moment, the band had no idea what Blackmore had planned.

“We didn’t have any idea he was going to pour gasoline on his amplifiers. We had no idea.”

A Legendary Display of Rock Destruction

The now-legendary finale of Deep Purple’s set saw Blackmore destroying several guitars, smashing amplifier stacks, and even attacking a television camera with his instrument. According to Guitar Player, the fiery chaos culminated in a massive fireball that scorched the stage, leaving a visible hole in the floor.

Wikipedia reports that Blackmore had insisted on playing at sunset to ensure the full effect of the band’s elaborate lighting rig. When that condition wasn’t met, his frustration boiled over—resulting in one of the most dramatic meltdowns in rock history.

According to Louder Sound, the band made a swift exit immediately after the show, fleeing the venue by helicopter. Their hasty departure helped them avoid fire marshals, police officers, and furious TV executives, all of whom were concerned about the dangerous spectacle that had just unfolded.

The entire performance was captured on film and later released as Live in California 74, preserving the chaos for posterity. To this day, Blackmore’s fiery tantrum remains a defining moment in Deep Purple’s history—and a symbol of the unpredictable, combustible spirit of 1970s rock and roll.