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Good night had by all
Guitar Player posts Blackmore’s reaction, both given directly to the publication, and collected from social media, in the aftermath of his guest appearance on stage with Deep Purple at the Jones Beach in Long Island on August 12, 2026.
It was very moving because I went on very quickly and had to play immediately. I couldn’t warm up, but I wasn’t there to be playing correct notes. I was there to see old friends. I hadn’t seen in 40 years and were all getting older. I think we realized it could be the last time we see each other, maybe.
I woke up one morning thinking, the day before their show, ‘You know it would be good for the fans if I just got up for one song, probably ‘Smoke’ and just show that were not at each other’s throats and don’t hate each other.’
Candice, my wife, got me in touch with Ian Gillan and I said, ‘What do you think about me getting up for ‘Smoke?’ His exact words were, ‘It made me smile.’ He then put it to the band and it was thumbs-up all around.
Read more in Guitar Player
Thanks to Blabbermouth for the heads-up and to Black Purple for putting together the multicam video of the moment.
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
Talk about a good interview! GuitarPlayer had the nose to look for the Man in Black’s first statements, well done!
everything confirmed, Ritchie didn’t have time to warm up, he was excited and the others were excited too, but the performance wasn’t the important thing!
the important thing was the wounds that needed healing, and I want to trust Ritchie’s words when he says that on stage he realized that the wounds had already healed.
I think that with these words the regret remains even more that this reunion could probably have taken place even a few years ago, and I think that BigIan, LittleIan and Roger also realized this
August 16th, 2026 at 16:58Nice interview. You are right Fla76, the performance wasn’t that important but I think RB did a great job as, of course, did the entire band!! Just seeing Ritchie there with the entire band, especially the other members of the MKII line up was something I certainly won’t forget!!
August 16th, 2026 at 18:10I’m real happy it felt so good for the old badger. And maybe it was just the right time to do it now – all good things come to those who wait.
August 16th, 2026 at 18:29From my review of that show. I guess I was not crazy 😉
August 17th, 2026 at 00:15…” Blackmore started the famous riff, the rest of the band joined in. His playing was controlled, and the solo was tasteful. But the music did not matter much. He was there, finally sharing the stage with his once brothers-in-arms. Lord was no doubt looking down the vast venue, smiling from the great beyond. The band’s faces were lit by their bright smiles. Gillan had his arm around Blackmore throughout the performance as a sign of respect and admiration. Blackmore moved from player to player, smiling at each band member with respect and gratitude. We were in awe. The crowd went nuts. Everyone was standing. Thousands of arms holding phones were extended. Filming, photographing, posting…”
Are we done analyzing the performance here at THS? 😉
I have yet to see any of the professional media outlets that have covered it in depth write a single word about the quality of the performance. All they have been writing about is the fact that, after 33 years, Blackmore, Gillan, Paice and Glover finally shared the stage.
I am good with that 🙂
“Amazing ” comme le dit si bien Ian Gillan, Un moment exceptionnel que j’attendais depuis des années, enfin je l’espérais, voir Mr Ritchie Blackmore sur scène avec ce groupe qu’il a créer avec Mr Jon Lord qui de la haut a du être enchanté , la boucle est presque bouclée. Et si! Deep Purple enregistrait un nouvel album avec Blackmore ce serait pas top ça ?
August 17th, 2026 at 08:57@5: No, it would not be fantastic if they recorded an album with RB because unfortunately, he has lost most of his ability to play electric guitar. And you know what, I think both the members of DP, and RB himself, would agree.
August 17th, 2026 at 13:03I agree 100% with you Svante! Ritchie joining DP 12 Aug was a really highlight and I don’t think it could be bettered.
August 17th, 2026 at 17:53deep purple unplugged, with Ritchie, Steve and Simon.
August 17th, 2026 at 20:17Maybe have Blackmore play on a song in the upcoming album as a guest ?
August 18th, 2026 at 19:20Blackmore should have been up there at the RRHOF back in 2016, but I will take this as a goodbye
August 18th, 2026 at 19:22@6
The biggest problem is his health.
He still plays solo s that are uniqely evoking.
But yes,he needed a shot and maybe more.
August 18th, 2026 at 22:36I was blown away.
What a great moment in music history.
I have to admit, I was touched deeply, and I’m sure every Purple-fan felt that way.
Thank you Ritchie
August 20th, 2026 at 22:08Thank you Deep Purple
I loved to se my all time favourite guitarist finally together with my favourite band 😍
And it was so lovely to read at FaceBook that Ritchie came to mend some wounds, but he concluded: there were no wounds that needed to be mended!
That is how grownups behave, isn’t it 🤩
Let bygones be bygones.
I admit gladly that tears ran down my chubby cheeks when I saw Ian and Ritchie hugging and heard Ian’s kind words 🥹
August 21st, 2026 at 12:18