Blackmore to reunite w/Rainbow & Deep Purple

**Dan Roth** · 09-08-2015

Looks like 4 shows in Europe only, so far.

http://noisey.vice.com/blog/ritchie-...interview-2015

“I am doing four dates in June, which will be all rock," Blackmore says, speaking to us alongside Night. "I have the band basically together and it will be [the best of] Rainbow and Deep Purple. It’s just having fun but it’s only four dates in Europe. I don’t want to do anymore because I take what I’m doing now much more seriously.”

From the interview in that link:

Thinking of Jon [Lord], I must ask why you decided to do the Deep Purple and Rainbow dates now?

Ritchie: I turned 70. And arthritis is starting to set in. Jon’s not around. So many others aren’t around. You start to see your friends pass and just feel it’s time to play some of the old songs. Nostalgia is a big reason to do it, but not the only reason.

**Vic2012** · 09-08-2015

So it's gonna be a "super group" thing, or what? Members of DP and Rainbow doing a live retrospective of Ritchie Blackmore.

**Jerjo** · 09-08-2015

You could take that quote a couple of ways. He's got a rock band together and they'll be playing DP and Rainbow tunes OR he's got a band with members of DP and Rainbow to play songs from those bands. I hope for the later but I suspect it's the former. Unless Gillan, Glover, and Paice have mellowed in their tolerance for Ritchie. That bridge burned up like a Swiss casino.

**Dan Roth** · 09-08-2015

Originally Posted by Jerjo

You could take that quote a couple of ways. He's got a rock band together and they'll be playing DP and Rainbow tunes OR he's got a band with members of DP and Rainbow to play songs from those bands. I hope for the later but I suspect it's the former. Unless Gillan, Glover, and Paice have mellowed in their tolerance for Ritchie. That bridge burned up like a Swiss casino.

True, but the article starts off with "Richie Blackmore will regroup with members of Rainbow and Deep Purple for what will probably be four shows next year in Europe".

**ronmac** · 09-08-2015

SWEET!!!!!!!

**ronmac** · 09-08-2015

I think the writer has this a bit wrong. It's certainly misleading.

It seems like Ritchie is pulling together a band. I don't see him commenting at all about former members being involved. But, I could see Glover or Paice.

**strawberrybrick** · 09-08-2015

Originally Posted by ronmac

I think the writer has this a bit wrong. It's certainly misleading.

It seems like Ritchie is pulling together a band. I don't see him commenting at all about former members being involved. But, I could see Glover or Paice.

Yep, that seems correct. "ro"

**ronmac** · 09-08-2015

Originally Posted by strawberrybrick

"ro"

??

**Vic2012** · 09-09-2015

Yeah, I can't see Ian Gillan involved. I see this as a tribute band mostly. I could see Glenn Hughes being involved for a few songs but not sure if I see him being the full time bassist of this thing. Whatever, we'll see.

**Supersonic Scientist** · 09-09-2015

If it IS members of DP & Rainbow in some-sort of "super-group" I would be ALL OVER THAT... Only 4 shows???...That's criminal.

**arturs** · 09-09-2015

Originally Posted by Vic2012

Yeah, I can't see Ian Gillan involved. I see this as a tribute band mostly. I could see Glenn Hughes being involved for a few songs but not sure if I see him being the full time bassist of this thing. Whatever, we'll see.

That's my thought too... If anyone it'll be Hughes, and maybe just maybe even Coverdale. I doubt any of the current DP would be involved, though Glover has said he gets along with Ritchie very well these days.

**Halmyre** · 09-09-2015

I think Blackmore + Coverdale is even more unlikely than Blackmore + Gillan.

**Scott Bails** · 09-09-2015

What's Joe Lynn-Turner up to these days?

**Yves** · 09-09-2015

How can you have a "best of Rainbow" with Dio and Powell passed away?

**JJ88** · 09-09-2015

Originally Posted by Halmyre

I think Blackmore + Coverdale is even more unlikely than Blackmore + Gillan.

It's been reported that Blackmore has been in contact with both of them over recent times, though presumably neither will be involved with this.

It was contact with Blackmore which inspired (if that's the right word!!) Whitesnake's recent 'The Purple Album'.

**Sean** · 09-09-2015

"Blackmore to reunite w/Rainbow & Deep Purple "

Well, he's put a band together to play that material but that's not quiet a reunion unless some of those guys are in it. And even then, not exactly.

Still, he should play this stuff again, regardless.

**Fracktured** · 09-09-2015

Originally Posted by Yves

How can you have a "best of Rainbow" with Dio and Powell passed away?

I know Rainbow had at least one other lead vocalist. This sounds to me like Richie trying to cash in on his past. So what, he was an intrical part of the writing of that music.

**ronmac** · 09-09-2015

Originally Posted by Fracktured

I know Rainbow had at least one other lead vocalist. This sounds to me like Richie trying to cash in on his past. So what, he was an intrical part of the writing of that music.

Cash in on his past? That's just silly. FWIW, Ritchie never put the axe down. Yes, he has been playing renaissance for a long time. But he still lets it loose for a song or two at the end of his shows. Maybe not every show, but the ones I've heard and have seen. And, yes, he still KILLS. And, also, FWIW, some of his best playing EVER was with Blackmore's Night.

**TheLoony** · 09-09-2015

It just seems kind of sad. He's wanted to downplay Purple and Rainbow for years yet now he thinks he can play those tunes and all will be forgiven?

If I had been on that stage for the Hell or High Water show I would never work with him again. Period, end of line. I don't know, obviously, but I don't see anyone from his past wanting to play with him.

As big a fan I have been of DP over the years I don't think I want to see this. They have done well with Steve over the years and for anyone in the current DP to play with Ritchie is a serious slap in the face to SM.

Well, there's not enough info to really have a opinion so we shall have to see what happens, if anything.

**GuitarGeek** · 09-09-2015

Originally Posted by arturs

though Glover has said he gets along with Ritchie very well these days.

I always thought it ironic that Ritchie was basically responsible for Glover getting kicked out of Deep Purple back in 73 or whenever it was (Gillan had quit, and Ritchie said he'd only go forward with Deep Purple if Glover was replaced too), but then Glover eventually ended up in Rainbow in the early 80's. Kinda weird how those kind of things happen.

**GuitarGeek** · 09-09-2015

Originally Posted by Scott Bails

What's Joe Lynn-Turner up to these days?

Didn't he have his own Rainbow wannabe band a few years ago? I believe I read that he had Ritchie's son playing guitar, in fact.

**GuitarGeek** · 09-09-2015

Originally Posted by Yves

How can you have a "best of Rainbow" with Dio and Powell passed away?

I remember hearing, not long before he passed away, Cozy was trying to talk Ritchie and Ronnie into doing a Rainbow project.

**GuitarGeek** · 09-09-2015

Originally Posted by Fracktured

I know Rainbow had at least one other lead vocalist. This sounds to me like Richie trying to cash in on his past. So what, he was an intrical part of the writing of that music.

Four:

Ronnie James Dio
Graham Bonnet (the one you've heard on the radio a million times, thanks to Since You've Been Gone)
Joe Lynn Turner (sang on the last three 80's era albums)
Doogie White (who sang on the lone album by the 90's era version of the band)

Besides which, it was Ritchie's band to begin with. The group was built around him, and he was the one of the main songwriters throughout the band's existence.