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R’n’R Hall of Fame petition

An online petition to induct Ritchie Blackmore to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was started by Gary Entler and Brent Soileau. Go there, read it and sign if you agree.

Thanks to Rainer Klos for the info.

Here endeth the fact and starteth the opinion.

Why I’m not going to sign the petition? Couple of reasons.

  • First of all, I do think that Ritchie deserves the recognition for all his influence and contribution. That being said, I don’t think he should get all the recognition alone. Deep Purple as a band should get it. Deep Purple is a fine example when the whole is much bigger then the sum of it’s parts.
  • Many years ago, The Highway Star conducted a similar campaign to induct Deep Purple into the R’n’R Hall of Fame. It resulted in exactly nothing. No response from the Hall of Fame whatsoever. The powers to be that are running the show do not have a slightest interest in listening to the people. Given that, I question the value of recognition, if any, received from the Hall of Fame.

Any one of these would be enough for me. You make your own mind.



92 Comments to “R’n’R Hall of Fame petition”:

  1. 1
    T says:

    While I agree that Purple is bigger than the sum of its parts, when one considers the contribution that Blackmore made via Rainbow, Deep Purple, Blackmore’s Night, and even the session days–not to mention the Outlaws, Screaming Lord Sutch, etc., it is a worthy and valid nomination. The man practically invented hard rock/prog rock guitar single handedly.

  2. 2
    Russ says:

    I have a better idea. How about an online petition to close the RnR Hall. It is a total joke.

  3. 3
    JMCK says:

    Fella`s, they were asked a while back, around 93`94` the 25th or 26th year to go in under the heavy metal BS category and they declined.you`ll have to ask Paice ,Gillan or Glover they should remember.Good they did decline,like Russ says it

  4. 4
    Seven47 says:

    I’d rather sign a petition to induct Ian Gillan to The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame!

  5. 5
    purplesky says:

    I don’t agree with you.I think that it’s time for ritchie to be honored….before the r&r honor lame

  6. 6
    Arthur says:

    What makes any of you think Ritchie would be in the slightest bit interested? I agree he deserves the recognition, that he couldn’t care less is why I admire him!

  7. 7
    Jim says:

    Blackmore deserves to be in, so does the band Deep Purple. I agree with Arthur when he says why would he (they) even be interested, the R&R hall is totally LAME!

  8. 8
    George says:

    Ritchie Blackmore does NOT deserve to be in r’n’r hall of fame, Deep Purple deserves. not RB.
    btw, you say that RB deserves. what about Ian Gillan, he is the greatest vocalist of r’n’r and he deserves.

    but I think no IG and no RB, but DEEP PURPLE MUST BE IN R’N’R HALL OF FAME.

  9. 9
    Wolfgang says:

    this thing has two sides. At first definitely both Deep Purple and Ritiche deserve do be ranked in the top rock musicians – and this hall has multiple inductees. On the other hand this hall contains so many useless entries, and Purple has such a unique position in music history that it would be a degradation for them to be included after decades. This hall just should be ignored (like I recently read the Sexs Pistols have done and were induced despite that – that tells a lot about these “famous” organizers.

  10. 10
    Danny Blue says:

    Im not sure this is actually a a debate about whether it should be IG or RB or DP.

    Its not about whether RB would accept the award

    The question is should RB be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.

  11. 11
    Tim says:

    Surely, wouldn’t Ritchie prefer to be in the Medieval Hall of Fame?

  12. 12
    George Martin says:

    The only reason Deep Purple is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame from what I can see is they probably are not sure which members of the band should be included. Yes I feel the RRHOF is a joke! You have people in there that no one has heard of and have had maybe one hit record. You would have to include, Blackmore, Gillan, Glover, Lord and Paice for sure. But what about Coverdale and Hughes? and Morse and Airey? I can understand if they left out Simper, Evans and Bolin. ( Sorry guys! ) This is not as easy a decision as it seems. But could you imagine if they elected all of them and they ALL showed up ( with the exception of Bolin of course ) to accept the award? How awesome would that be! Oh well so much for dreaming because that will never happen. But just think of the jam session they could do!

  13. 13
    Rami says:

    I think DP have not been invited to the Hall of Fame because of the numerous line-up changes. Had Mk2 stayed together after the reunion they would be in by now, I’m sure. It’s hard to see this situation change. I mean, if they now leave out RB and JL (unless they will be included individually), it’s an utter joke (okay, perhaps fittingly, given what we are talking about); but they can’t leave out any of the current guys, either.

    I think I’ll sign the petition for RB. If he doesn’t get in, we know for sure he has pissed off the wrong people!

  14. 14
    Gary Entler says:

    The goal of the Petition is to recognize Ritchie’s contributon to Rock and Roll as a GUITARIST over a forty year career. There is absolutely no slight intended to any of the bandmembers or bands that he played with.

  15. 15
    Andy Mac says:

    Ok the two and fro has begun. Does the R&R Hall of Fame really play any part of significance with the Art form of music itself. Maybe yes or maybe No. The fact is that besides the artist, producers and so on, the reason why R&R exists is marginaly helped by the fans, the buying public, the concert goers, radio, tv and the other forms of getting it out there. In the case of the artist or band, the name also that counts in my opinion. Sure Deep Purple deserves the recognotion. So for all of those who have been associated with the band let the recognition be for all.

    Cheers
    Andy from downunder.

  16. 16
    Dennis Hanna says:

    I can tell you why the R and R Hall of Fame aren’t interested in Purple – they’re not American! Have a look at the present list of “Famers”, nearly all are American and many are largley unknown in Europe and the UK. Personally, I don’t think Ritchie gives a flying toss about awards and such. Purple’s fans are loyal and that’s all that matters. Being part of the trendy industry in-crowd shouldn’t matter to us as most of these people are here today – gone tomorrow types. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame…….who cares?

  17. 17
    Dennis Hanna says:

    Sorry…….I forgot about Steve Morse being American. But you know what I mean.

  18. 18
    purplepriest1965 says:

    Like I saud before : I think it’s because he’s Americain he got promoted so much in Guitarmagazines……..in USA….

    Like Frank Zappa said : “They don’t know qualitymusic even when it bites them in the ass. ”

    In the early 80’s Americains(According to Blackmore)were not interested in Whitesnake, Rainbow and Gillan, even(he said it!)when they made music like DP. Americans, so he said, need a NAME like ……Deep Purple……Does not matter who’s in it(…)

  19. 19
    Ronald Gaerlan says:

    Rock and Roll Hall of Shame, never mind. There are a lot of people and bands that are inducted but I do not even know what they did in the music industry. I haven’t even heard about them. I think it does not matter if Deep Purple or RB goes into the hall of fame. What matters is that their music will live forever for generations to come, and that would be a slap to R and R Hall of Fame.

  20. 20
    Lutz Kimmer says:

    Ritchie got known since he played with Deep Purple and not the other way.Before his time with Deep Purple he only played with nameless bands.Only all the band Deep Purple belongs to the Hall of Fame I think but not a single member.All other ways are unfair.

  21. 21
    Russ says:

    I would bet money that no one involved in the R&R Hall has any idea who is or ever was actually in Deep Purple nor that there have been numerous lineup changes. All they know is that they wrote that song “Smoke on the Water”

    As them about rap and dance groups and shit like that and I bet they could talk for hours.

  22. 22
    John Lydon says:

    Who needs the hall of fame? Whats its point? Whats its worth?

    Its a pointless slap on the back, it serves no purpose.

    Another over Americanised, in your face, loud and trashy awardy ceremony.

    And we dont care………………………………………………….

  23. 23
    ormandy says:

    How about DEEP PURPLE being inducted into the Classical Hall Of Fame for Jon Lord’s “Concerto for Group and Orch…wait…there is no Classical Hall Of Fame.

    So why did rock and roll think it needed a HOF but not Classical?

  24. 24
    ormandy says:

    Seriously, in a different reality, Deep Purple would be inducted. On top of everything else, just look at their family tree: Rainbow, Whitesnake, Gillan, Bolin, etc. And much like the Beatles, the RARHOF would induct solo members as well.

  25. 25
    James Gemmell says:

    Deep Purple has sold more than 100 million records, and began in 1968. The pure volume of sales, the fact the band was one of the top-selling groups in the early 1970’s, had the second-highest grossing tour in the U.S. in 1985, and will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year should certainly merit strong consideration for induction by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I was at the Hall in Cleveland last year; it’s a beautiful place, but Purple and other bands have definitely been arbitrarily snubbed. The Hall would have much more credibility if it established non-arbitrary standards for induction, such as any combination of the following: 50 million or more records sold, three or more Top Ten hits in the Billboard charts, 40 years or more of longevity, etcetera. Many believe the Hall should’ve been built in Detroit, not Cleveland, but that’s another argument.

    The National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, is breathtakingly beautiful, but a source of a lot of controversy, too. A panel of judges and a national baseball association of writers determines who gets elected each year. It’s way subjective, as well, rather than relying on hard statistics, as it should. For example, Jack Morris was the winningest pitcher of the 1980’s, but has been snubbed. Ridiculous.

    Ritchie Blackmore’s a tremendous guitarist, without a doubt, and probably merits induction into the Hall, based on all the great bands he’s been in and longevity. But I think it would be more appropriate to induct him as a member of Deep Purple, where he achieved his greatest fame and sold the most records. Again, the non-arbitrary statistics should be what’s weighed, not whether he ticked a lot of people off.

    You can say who cares about the Hall of Fame, it’s just an American thing and all that. But when you walk through that incredible shrine, and see all the historic documents, cars, records, clothes, etc., it’s a shameful oversight that Purple has been excluded.

  26. 26
    Joe says:

    I have to agree with Russ, the Hall of Fame is a joke not because of who is in it, but who has been left out. Its political & a freaking popularity contest.
    Rap bands in the Hall, give me a break !
    They just don’t want to know about Deep Purple, Ten Years After, Mountain, etc. It is an insult to just induct Ritchie & not the whole band.
    BLACKMORE,GILLAN,GLOVER,LORD, & PAICE….Thats the DEEP PURPLE who belongs in the Hall.

  27. 27
    Gary Entler says:

    Did you read the Petition, Joe ? It’s about recognizing Ritchie’s forty year CAREER as a guitarist. The Petition IN NO
    WAY slights Deep Purple.

  28. 28
    Arthur says:

    It ain’t worth it guys, he won’t care! But you’re all right, all of the members of Mark 2 & 3 should be inducted but they just ignore the British bands originating from the late 60s era. Jethro Tull, Yes, Purple, Free/Bad Co – there was a lot of activity to get Paul Rodgers inducted a year or two back but it was just ignored and I doubt the newish British Hall of Fame will recognise them either. Its just as it all began really, all have big followings worldwide but very much an underground movement these days and all the better for it!

  29. 29
    joe crowley says:

    I think Purple should be in as well as Ritchie alone, there are others in for more than one entry like Clapton.And yes Ian, Ritchie is as good as Clapton,for his various contributions he’s made.

  30. 30
    Craig Neely says:

    No member of Deep Purple should need a pat on the back to be proud of their accomplishments. It began as an “underground” band, and it continues as an “underground” band. Its insanely passionate fans are the ones who seem to matter most to the band, and I guess that is the way that the band wants it. Sometimes, toiling in relative obscurity while being true to oneself is a tremendously satisfying feeling. Do you really think that any member of the band, current or past, feels slighted about their omission from the media-driven escapades of America’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? I would be surprised if any would, as, it is not about media or collegial recognition. “It’s all about the music.”

  31. 31
    T says:

    Purple has *always* been snubbed. It’s because they were never “trendy” and didn’t care to talk to the “right people” and nobnob with the “in” crowd. They didn’t go backstage to other people’s shows and they didn’t kiss butt. That’s why they never got the recognition they deserved.

    It would still be a nice ‘in your face’ to have them all inducted. Certainly Blackmore can be inducted on his own merits, as I’ve stated. Don’t forget he was a part of the embryonic rock scene in the 60’s as a session musician. He is historically significant outside of Purple.

    Maybe someone needs to start a “Deep Purple” petition.

    The comments made about the ‘lame’ Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is another example of the musical wasteland on this side of pond. All you have to do is flip through Classic Rock magazine and appreciate how good things are in Europe compared to here.

  32. 32
    Brent says:

    Does it always have to come down to a tired old “Blackmore vs. Gillan” argument?

    Here’s the cold fact of the matter: it doesn’t matter how relevant the R&R HOF is, either in reality or merely in your own opinion. Nor does it matter that it’s Blackers. The fact is that as a DP fan and supporter, I consider it my duty to support any band member who is up for a particular honor. If it was Glenn Hughes or David Coverdale, or even Rod Evans, I would support them. I happen to know that induction into the R&R HOF is important to Ritchie and the man, along with just a handful of other guitarists, changed the face of rock music as we know it.

    The fact is Ritchie, an ex-member and founding member of the band that we all supposedly love, is up for this particular honor. Not everybody considers it thus, but some do. The question is, will you show your support for Ritchie in this matter or not? It all comes down to supporting the band we love. And Ritchie surely deserves a place there.

    Cheers, all!

    Brent

  33. 33
    Jim says:

    I would sign a petition for DP , with a plaque that included all members from Evans to Airey, but then again would they (DP) really care? Like someone above said they have never kissed butt, and should not start now!

  34. 34
    Gary Entler says:

    Jim….I’m getting tired of explaining the Petition…Let me put it in simple terms:

    1-Ritchie deserves to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ( NOTE : I did not say the AMERICAN Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as there is no such thing.

    2-Ritchie Blakmore influenced GENERATIONS
    of musicians

    3-Ritchie played in THREE Hall of Fame calibre bands

    He also played with Hall of Fame CALIBRE muscians, SUCH AS:

    1- Ian Gillan
    2- Jon Lord
    3- Ian Paice
    4- whoever you want

    Just read the Petition BEFORE you
    make such comments !

    Jeez !

  35. 35
    PATRICK says:

    RB SINGLEHANDEDLY invented the sound of hard rock metal whatever you want to call it …. and should he be inducted ? yes … does he care ? hell no … but its just like you all have been sayin he needs to be there just for a slap in the face and to get current recognition that he danm well deserves !!

    deep purple should be in there too ! yes frome evans and simper to airey and morse

    the fact of the matter is deep purple without a shadow of a doubt is the best band that ever was and prolly eva will be so sign the dam petition, go see purple and blackmores night WHILE WE STILL CAN PEOPLE ! (im going to the muskegon michigan show and i live all the way tampa fl ! ) and of course ill be in garb dammit !!! 🙂

  36. 36
    Ted says:

    The R-n-R Hole of Fame is a joke. Nobody takes it seriously; it’s an annual piss-up for suits to congratulate themselves.

  37. 37
    Chrissy says:

    The RnR Hall of Fame is a farce.Petitions will not matter to the record execs who run the show there.

  38. 38
    Gary Entler says:

    Ok Chrissy, you win. End of story. Give Ritchie my regards in Clevo.

  39. 39
    David K says:

    The petition is admirable. It is a shame that people in a certain country (ahem…mine) haven’t even heard of Deep Purple (unless prefaced by “the band that did Smoke on the Water”), let alone Ritchie Blackmore or Rainbow. We know a lot about Dio, though. C’mon that guy was in the Pick of Destiny. 🙂

  40. 40
    Bill Attwell says:

    Truly deserved, the man is an icon in Rock history.

  41. 41
    ed says:

    dont waste your time doing a petition for the hall of fame— if any of you remember the band rare earth (yes they are still around) i have become friends with them over the years and we email on a regular basis— anyway i asked original member gil bridges about the hall and a possible rare earth induction— he actually sent a letter to the hall of fame himself and never got a response— so my point is if the actual artists cannot get a response then you know for sure we dont stand a chance– and just to throw my 2 cents in here if purple is going to get inducted then it definately should be as a band not just blackmore i think ALL current and past members should be included they all had a hand in this thing

  42. 42
    Alex says:

    and including Joe Satriani also?

  43. 43
    Alex says:

    That’s why the the correct decision – not members but a band.

  44. 44
    Russ says:

    The rock listening audience here in the US are mostly a bunch of idiots. And American radio caters to them. They prefer stuff today like kid rock or nickleback. Now if kid rock did a cover of Smoke on the Water, within a few months, most of the young croud here upon hearing DP on the radio do “Smoke” would make the comment..”Hey listen….Deep Purple are covering kid rock!!”

  45. 45
    Purpoz says:

    I said it in the petition and I’ll say it again here …

    Since Deep Purple stole my heart at the age of 14, Ritchie Blackmore was my hero. Now, 34 years on, it makes me happy to say that he still is and always will be.

    I could go on for ages about his sublime playing, electrifying live performance, influential style etc. but there is no greater praise than to elevate the man to personal hero status.

    ‘Nough said, end of sermon.

  46. 46
    Russ says:

    I actually signed a petition to have the Hall built here in Detroit back in the day. Now I’m actually glad it wasn’t built here.

  47. 47
    Joe says:

    I’M SORRY GARY BUT I DISAGREE !

    WHY JUST HONOR RITCHIE ? WHAT ARE YOU SAYING , THE REST OF THE BAND IS NOT WORTHY ? THIS IS THE SAME SELFISH THINKING THAT DEFINES RITCHIE BLACKMORE ! LIKE RITCHIE WANTING 50% OF EVERYTHING WHEN DP RE-UNITED IN ’84. THE REST OF THR BAND TOLD HIM TO GET STUFFED & SAID IT WAS EQUAL SHARES OR NO REUNION. AS I SAID EARLIER, ITS DP MARK II OR NOTHING !

  48. 48
    ormandy says:

    MKI only would have been a one hit wonder, end of story.

    MKII was a four amazing journey that went out on top.

    Everything after that (MKIII-MKVIII) rides the coattails of the MKII legacy.

    So Joe is right…BLACKMORE,GILLAN,GLOVER,LORD & PAICE….Thats the DEEP PURPLE who belong in the RARHOF.

    But in the end, the RARHOF doesn’t really matter anyway.

  49. 49
    marcinio says:

    deep purple and ritchie blackmore should not be inducted into the hall of fame!
    i’ve got to say that the Rock and Roll hall of fame ist just a piece of SHIT! or Sh+++ if this word gets censored right now but thats really how i think about it. didnt they induct grandmaster flash this year???. WOW great! this is not about rock and roll anymore. and its a shame to induct such a band like deep purple after grandmaster flash or run dmc … i wouldn’t be honored to be inducted in this F++kin hall.
    i would rather sign a petition to never ever induct them into the hall of fame.
    deep purple should have been inducted years ago! time is over now! its not worth it. the H o F does that to a lot of band. another example is thin lizzy!

  50. 50
    stoffer says:

    read the petition, understood the petition, sign the petition?, NO I don’t think I will…………..not RB by himself………..

  51. 51
    PaulH says:

    Has Ritcie started playing rock n roll?

  52. 52
    Fireball says:

    Deep Purple is not Deep Purple without Ritchie Blackmore! Blackmore was a spine of Purple! But my opinion is, like marcinio’s, that Purple should have been inducted years ago! I mean, all that poorly known inductees… What have they done in rock history that deserve recognition before Deep Purple? If there’s anyone who’s responsible for evolution of rock music, that would be Deep Purple!

  53. 53
    Jim says:

    Gary, try wearing larger underwear, yours seem a little too tight!

  54. 54
    Chrissy says:

    You know if you really think about there would be no Ritchie without DP.

  55. 55
    Jim says:

    Gary, Sorry for the earlier comment not really very tasteful. Good luck with the Blackmore petition, I admire your commitment.

  56. 56
    Bryan says:

    Chrissy, I think you may have got that the wrong way round!

    Ritchie’s astounding talent would have ensured that at some stage he would have risen to become Ritchie Blackmore, guitar hero.

    It is quite feasible however, that without Ritchie, there would have been no DP. Without Ritchie, DP might have been a very good band, but not a legendary band.

  57. 57
    Russ says:

    Deep Purple didn’t create Ritchie. But Ritchie was truely part of the creation of Purple. If Purple never existed he would have worked with other fine musicians. Ritchie always knew what kind of music he wanted to make. Purple not existing would not have halted him.

  58. 58
    Russ says:

    …Without Purple there would not be a David Coverdale or Whitesnake.

  59. 59
    Chris says:

    While I read the petition and understand its purpose, it’s wrong to induct just Ritchie Blackmore and not Deep Purple. That’s like inducting Paul McCartney or John Lennon, but not the Beatles, or (an even better analogy) Eddie Van Halen, but not the band Van Halen.

    For anyone who says the petition is not about Blackmore v. Purple or any of its individual band members, it is possible to disagree with the point of the petition. Just because a petition is started doesn’t mean people can’t discuss it’s validity and raise the arguments such as those already raised.

  60. 60
    rabid dog says:

    if the band either as a whole or as individuals (past,present, god forbid future) don’t care about this ‘accolade’, why should we?. whats important is WE recognise them by buying their cd’s attending concerts etc.

  61. 61
    Douglas JW says:

    Gary and Brant’s petition is done for the best possible reason – to get overdue recognition for Ritchie who is one of (if not) the greatest exponent of the electric guitar, most us us will probably agree, that rock music has known. This is what we recognise him for. However, it debases his acomplishments for us to have petition a bunch of blinkered, ignorant suits to have him (or DP) inducted into what has now become a cheap Hall of SHAME for sell outs, half wits and record lable luvvies with sharp PR agents.

  62. 62
    Chrissy says:

    No one can assume Ritchie would be anything if he wasnt in DP first.No one can say that he would have been as popular either.

  63. 63
    purplenite says:

    I agree with you totally Chrissy,Perhaps there would or wouldn’t be a Purple without Blackmore,Perhaps there would not be the guitarist Blackmore without Purple,maybe there would be…PS Gary aren’t you the same Gary Entler who got the old chatroom shutdown years ago because of your behavior,also Deep Purple DownUnder..Always starting trouble,I’m surprised they let you on this site again or that no one else recognizes you.

  64. 64
    rijir says:

    Just as you can’t assume there would be no Ritchie without Purple.

  65. 65
    george says:

    btw, is it true that soon Ritchie will be returned in Deep Purple? many said this but I don’t beleive.

    anyway, I’m Steve Morse fan, but if RB will return Deep Purple, I’ll be too glad, ’cause I’m just interested how it will be Gillan/Blackmore/Glover/Pacie/Airey new studio album 🙂

  66. 66
    Russ says:

    I think there is a better chance of all original Beatles getting back together than Ritchie back in Purple.

  67. 67
    Gary Entler says:

    I’ll say this one more time for the truly dense…I mean people who can’t understand the simplest premise…Ready ?

    This Petition is about Ritchie Blackmore’s CAREER as a guitarist. YES, he played in Deep Purple, his finest? work perhaps.

    BUT…he also played in a band called RAINBOW…yes, they made records too. Look it up. And he is now in a band called Blackmore’s Night. Simple ? Got it ?

    As a GUITARIST for Deep Purple AND Rainbow, Ritchie Blackmore revolutionized the ROLE of the GUITARIST…I didn’t say the vocalist, the keyboardist…Are you getting the idea now ? Well good.

    Now…let’s sum up…The goal of the Petition is to recognize Ritchie’s GUITAR playing, not the outstanding musicians he also played with. And there were many.

    He has done this for over 40 years now…

    Still following me ? Good 🙂

    Ritchie WAS in Deep Purple…and that’s a
    GOOD thing…Nobody else was the GUITARIST when he was IN the band

    Class dismissed !

  68. 68
    rabid dog says:

    i don’t want to sign a petition for blackmore, as i said earlier if the individuals don’t care, why should i?
    and as others have quite rightly pointed out, the time has passed for it to mean anything.
    but good luck anyway!

  69. 69
    Chris says:

    How about signing a petition to get Deep Purple into the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame.

  70. 70
    Bryan says:

    It’s a simple fact that there would not have been a Deep Purple without Blackmore. A band containing Jon Lord, Rod Evans, Nick Simper, Ian Paice and ‘another’ talented guitarist may have had some success with songs like “Hush”, but they would not have been called “Deep Purple” because the guys didn’t know Ritchie’s grandmother’s favourite song was called “Deep Purple”!! And they would not have recruited Ian Gillan or Roger Glover, as it was Ritchie’s idea to replace Rod and Nick.
    No disrespect to any of the DP members (former or current); they are all very talented musicians who contributed something good to the band, but Blackmore was undoubtedly the major force and composer, and without him most of the songs on the Mark II and III albums simply would not exist. And if we are honest, I think these are the songs that attracted 99% of us (the fans reading and participating on the Highway Star website) to Purple in the first place.
    And lest we forget, after Purple he continued to make great music with Rainbow, and still does with Blackmore’s Night.
    For me, he is the single most important figure in the history of rock and truly deserves some recognition for his contribution and influence. If there was any justice in the world, he would be a ‘Knight of the Realm’ by now!

  71. 71
    DP In Rock forever says:

    totally agree with Seven47 🙂

  72. 72
    Gary Entler says:

    I’ll address my old buddy, Rabid Dog 🙂
    I’m not twisting your arm to sign a Petition for Blackmore. I totally respect your decision. Good to see you !

  73. 73
    Gary Entler says:

    And yes, purplenite. I am that very same Gary Entler. The same Gary Entler that upon my very first submissions to the old THS Guestbook…had ‘ NIGGERS FUCKING ME IN THE BUTT ‘ when I defended black musicians…I’m the same Gary Entler who had his messages HACKED and displayed on WEBCHAT. I’m the same Gary Entler who had dsgusting messages posted under my name…The same Gary Entler who was TAUNTED when my mother died in an accident ( through a HACKED message ). Yes , I’m that Gary Entler, and I’d do everything exactly the same way again. All because I’m a fan of Ritchie Blackmore !

    As usual, it’s nice and safe of you to hide behind a nickname 🙂

  74. 74
    Gary Entler says:

    And finally ( hopefully )…I am a HUGE fan of the current Deep Purple line-up. They’re the best band STILL in Rock and Roll today.

  75. 75
    Jeff says:

    Looks like Gary’s going to get this great website shutdown too.

  76. 76
    T says:

    I come to this website because I am a Deep Purple fan–a fan of all things Purple, including the related family.

    I do believe Steve Morse was the best thing to happen to Purple since the departure of Blackmore, and I do believe Blackmore needed to go and everyone–including himself–is the better for it.

    I enjoy Purple with Morse just as I had with Blackmore. And I am a (!) Blackmore’s Night fan as well. Those who are not–fine. I think you’re missing out on some fine, albeit a different style of guitar playing. Perhaps a debate for another time.

    I also believe that Blackmore is the greatest hard rock guitarist and hard rock performer to walk the planet. He was an integral part of rock history from the Joe Meek days (something people tend to forget) to the current time. Blackmore’s Night is not everyone’s cup of tea; however, based on his past accomplishments, it doesn’t need to be. He’s ALREADY great. Let him enjoy his “retirement”.

    Blackmore belongs in the hall of fame. Can anyone deny this? It’s a no-brainer. Everyone should vote for him. I’ve forwarded the idea to everyone I know to vote for him.

    Does Deep Purple belong? Of course (duh) but that isn’t the issue at the moment. To say that Blackmore doesn’t deserve it because DP doesn’t come with the package is ridiculous. They don’t induct whole baseball teams into the hall of fame, either.

    We’ll get Blackmore in. *Then* we’ll work on DP. OK?

  77. 77
    T says:

    Someone drew the analogy that Eddie Van Halen shouldn’t be inducted without the rest of Van Halen. I disagree.

    As a guitarist–a GUITARIST–he was one of the most influential to come along since Blackmore and Hendrix and the only one who can do two-handed trills without it sounding like a cliché. He revolutionized modern rock guitar; therefore, he COULD be inducted on his own merit, as a GUITARIST, just as Hendrix could be inducted without Mitch Mitchell and Noël Redding as The Experience, etc. etc.

    This anti-Blackmore thing is getting out of hand. I understand he left DP–but it was for the better. That’s no reason to bail out on him *now*.

    Let’s move on and give this guy the recognition we all know he deserves.

  78. 78
    Seven47 says:

    Thanks DP In Rock forever!

  79. 79
    Alberto Sardinas says:

    I’m writting again because i said to ” THE MAN IN BLACK ” . !!!!! THANKS FOR EVERYTHING !!!!!!!!!!!!!. LONG LIVE RITCHIE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

  80. 80
    rabid dog says:

    i just think that it’s a meaningless exercise, dp and individual members should have been inducted at the very start!
    perhaps we should campaign for a ‘proper’ hall of fame instead of seeking recognition from people who’s opinion we obviously have no respect for.
    and hello to stormin,panos,gary anyone else from the ‘past’.

  81. 81
    Gary Entler says:

    That’s not a bad idea, Rabid !

  82. 82
    rabid dog says:

    perhaps a ‘ hall of contribution to music’ rather than ‘fame’ (reminds me of that old tv show).

  83. 83
    Gary Entler says:

    Rabid strikes again ! Good call, I agree.

    Now this is for Jeff…Rabid Dog and I were the bitter adversaries on the old Forums…We’re now friends…at least until he meets me !!!

    Rock on, Rabid Dog !

  84. 84
    Gary Entler says:

    Another good call, Rabid !

  85. 85
    Cranberry says:

    Give Blackmore the ‘clap’ he deserves.

  86. 86
    Seven 47 says:

    I’d rather give Blackmore the slap he deserves!

  87. 87
    purplepriest1965 says:

    It’s time for a petition to get Rod Evans back………

  88. 88
    rabid dog says:

    rod evans left?

  89. 89
    purplenite says:

    Gary ,apologies for your Mothers passing,this I would never mock…I don’t recall the other instances,just remember a lot of trouble & BS in the old days..mostly started by you..Good luck with your effort

  90. 90
    rabid dog says:

    i think in fairness to gary, my own behaviour on the old chat pages was less than acceptable, and i’m sure that i unwittingly played a major part in them being removed.
    i was also credited with closing the caramba guestbook, but ig and steve campbell assure me that that was not the case, but i still wonder.
    i can only apologise, i didn’t realise how ill i was at the time, and really i shouldn’t have been allowed anywhere near a computer or people, but of course i couldn’t see that.

  91. 91
    Gary says:

    Rabid, did you see your ‘ funeral ‘ on DPDU ?
    You would have loved it ! I’m glad you ‘ un-died ‘ 🙂

    I said you were the ‘ Spirit of Rock and Roll ‘, the bad boy with the golden heart…I was absolutely sickening !

    Glad you’re still with us !

  92. 92
    Gary says:

    Rabid….we were both hotheads then. And I always respected where you were coming from 🙂

    Did you see your ‘ funeral ‘ on DPDU ? You would have loved it ! I said you were the ‘ Spirit of Rock and Roll ‘…and the bad boy with the golden heart…

    If we ever meet….the beer’s on me 🙂

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