Ritchie Blackmore Speaks Honestly About Music Industry

On April 14, guitar icon Ritchie Blackmore marked his 81st birthday with an unexpected Instagram livestream, offering fans a rare and candid glimpse into his current life. Broadcasting from his home in Long Island, New York, the session was hosted by his wife and musical collaborator, Candice Night, and featured Blackmore answering fan-submitted questions with his characteristic wit and honesty.

A Fond Look Back at Tommy Bolin

Among the topics discussed was Tommy Bolin, who replaced Blackmore in Deep Purple more than 50 years ago. Rather than revisiting any notion of rivalry, Blackmore spoke warmly of Bolin as both a musician and a friend.

“Well, I knew him more as a friend. And he was such a nice guy that I couldn’t believe he was a guitar player, because most guitar players aren’t nice people,” Blackmore said. “He was so nice… There was never ever any envy, no competition whatsoever.”

He also shared a lighthearted anecdote that captured Bolin’s unconventional approach to guitar maintenance.

“I said to Tommy once, ‘When did you last change your strings?’ And he looked at me, like, ‘I should change them?’… And he said, ‘Well, probably about five years ago,’ ’cause they were so caked in dirt and grit. He was a brilliant player, a great player, but he never changed his guitar strings.”

Select Connections to the Past

While Blackmore has largely distanced himself from the current iteration of Deep Purple, he acknowledged maintaining occasional contact with former bandmates. He noted that drummer Ian Paice still sends his regards, and that he has spoken with vocalist Ian Gillan and former frontman David Coverdale.

However, Blackmore admitted he is unfamiliar with the band’s newer members, aside from keyboardist Don Airey, whom he praised:

“Don is a brilliant keyboard player, but he has been in every band in the business.”

Health, Touring, and the Limits of Time

The conversation turned more serious when fans suggested potential solutions that might allow Blackmore to return to touring. The guitarist responded with blunt realism about his physical condition.

“I don’t play with my feet. It’s not just my feet that I have a problem on tour with. I have a problem with my back, my heart, and my feet. And to go on tour at 81 is pushing it,” he said. “And I don’t really wanna just sit down on stage, which I would have to do anyway. I’m kind of running out of energy a little bit. When you play rock and roll, you’ve gotta have a lot of energy, but I tend to like sleeping a lot these days.”

Recent events have underscored those challenges. Several East Coast dates by Blackmore’s Night were canceled due to medical issues, with Blackmore later revealing a history of spinal problems, debilitating migraines, and a severe vertigo episode that required hospitalization.

Candice Night also confirmed that Blackmore suffered a heart attack in 2023, resulting in multiple stents being implanted. His ongoing back issues, she explained, further complicate travel and live performance, reinforcing his decision to step back from the demands of touring.

Though he has long since stepped away from the relentless pace of the rock circuit, Blackmore’s legacy remains firmly intact. As a founding force behind Deep Purple and the architect of countless iconic riffs—including “Smoke on the Water”—his influence continues to resonate across generations. Even in his absence, his name still carries weight, a testament to a career defined by innovation, individuality, and enduring impact.