Since Ritchie Blackmore left Deep Purple for the last time three decades ago, in 1993, the band is frequently asked about a possible reunion with the legendary guitarist. In an interview with Rock Hard Greece (Transcribed by Blabbermouth), the band’s classic bassist Roger Glover said that there is “not a chance” that the group will reunite with the guitarist.
Blackmore was one of founders of the group in 1968 and left for the first time in 1975, returning from 1984 to 1993. Ever since he focused on the Renaissance music group Blackmore’s Night and his famous group Rainbow.
Roger Glover says Deep Purple won’t reunite with Ritchie Blackmore
“Not a chance. The rumors don’t come from us, that’s for sure. I mean, why on earth would we do that? I have the utmost regard for Ritchie as part of the band, and he was obviously an integral part of the band and what the band has become. But that’s moving backwards. We don’t move backwards; we move forwards,” Roger Glover said.
Deep Purple’s current line-up has Ian Gillan (Vocals), Roger Glover (Bass), Ian Paice (Drums), Don Airey (Keyboards) and Simon McBride (Guitar). Blackmore’s replacement, the guitarist Steve Morse left the group in 2021 in order to be able to take care of his wife, who is battling cancer.
Their most recent albums are “Whoosh!” (2020) and the covers record “Turning To Crime” (2021). Both of them were recorded when Steve Morse was still the band’s guitarist.
Next Deep Purple tour dates
After performing in Asia and South America in the beginning of 2023, Deep Purple continue their tour in Europe next June and July.
June
- 6 – SOLVESBORG, SWEDEN – SWEDEN ROCK
- 9 – COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – TIVOLI OPEN AIR
- 12 – KRAKOW, POLAND – HARD ROCK HEROES FESTIVAL 2023 – TAURON ARENA
- 24 – CARTAGENA, SPAIN – ROCK IMPERIUM FESTIVAL II
- 27 – PARMA, ITALY – PARCO DUCALE (OPEN AIR)
- 29 – MACERATA, ITALY – SFERISTERIO (OPEN AIR)
- 30 – PORDENONE, ITALY – PARCO S. VALENTINO
July
- 2 – TOULON, FRANCE – ZENITH OMEGA
- 7 – ATHENS, GREECE – TERRAVIBE PARK – ROCKWAVE FESTIVAL 2023
- 9 – BUCHAREST, ROMANIA – ROMEXPO – SUMMER STAGE (OPEN AIR)
- 12 – VIENNA, AUSTRIA – STADTHALLE
- 13 – GRAZ, AUSTRIA – STADTHALLE
- 15 – SLAVKOV U BIRNA, CZECH REPUBLIC – SLAVKOV OPEN AIR I
- 16 – BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – LASZLO PAPP ARENA
- 18 – STUTTGART, GERMANY – STUTTGART JAZZ FESTIVAL
- 19 – HAMBURG, GERMANY – STADTPARK OPEN AIR
- 22 – ZVOLENSKÁ SLATINA, SLOVAKIA – OLYMPIC FIELDS CITY