Everything Music. Everything News. Everything live.

Deep Purple’s Ritchie Blackmore Shares Health Update with Fans

Nick Soveiko, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Nick Soveiko, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Ritchie Blackmore, the legendary guitarist known for his remarkable career with bands like Deep Purple and Rainbow, has recently seen his performance schedule impacted due to health concerns. Blackmore's wife, Candice Night, revealed in recent interviews that the guitarist suffered a heart attack approximately a year and a half ago, which has significantly impacted his ability to travel and perform. This health setback has effectively put a pause on his career as he recovers. According to Night, Blackmore has been advised by his cardiologist to avoid air travel, which has hindered the prospect of touring in Europe with their folk-rock project, Blackmore's Night.

The renowned guitarist, celebrated for crafting hits like “Smoke on the Water,” has had six stents put in to address his heart condition. Additionally, Blackmore, who will turn 80 soon, is managing other health issues, including gout, arthritis, and an ongoing back problem. Despite these challenges, Candice Night has expressed optimism about his recovery and hopes that the restrictions on traveling might be lifted in the future.

Blackmore's Night, the musical group formed by Blackmore and Night in 1997, has been a long-standing project that melds medieval and Renaissance music influences with folk rock. Over the years, the duo has captivated audiences with their unique sound and has released 11 studio albums. Despite the health challenges faced by Blackmore, Blackmore's Night has managed to schedule six shows in the United States, though European performances remain uncertain as of now due to his health constraints.

Blackmore is a critical figure in rock music history, not only as a founding member and guitarist for Deep Purple but also as the progenitor of Rainbow. The latter band is known for its blend of hard rock with classical influences, and it played a significant role in advancing the genre. Despite his departure from Deep Purple in 1993, Blackmore's legacy with the band remains immortal, notably with his riffs and compositions that have become a staple in rock music history.

While Blackmore faces these significant health challenges, his contributions to music continue to resonate. In particular, his wife Night has been vocal about making sure he remains in good spirits and health. She shared that medical challenges naturally catch up with everyone eventually, but Blackmore remains vibrant and does not visually present as someone approaching 80. His reluctance to be seen performing in a diminished capacity highlights his desire to maintain a certain image for his fans, although Night holds that fans would warmly welcome any opportunity to enjoy his performances regardless of physical limitations.

 

Key Takeaways

Related Stories

Rick Derringer

Rick Derringer, Legendary Rock Guitarist Dies At 77

The music world mourns the loss of legendary rock guitarist Rick Derringer, who passed away at the age of 77.…

Ed Droste of Grizzly Bear at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival on June 12, 2009 in Manchester, Tennessee Grizzly Bear at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival on June 12, 2009 in Manchester, Tennessee, Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, Manchester, TN, USA - 12 Jun 2009

Grizzly Bear Announces 2025 North American Tour

Grizzly Bear, a staple of the indie-rock genre, is making a highly-anticipated return to the concert stage following a six-year…

Stereolab Primavera Sound Festival, Barcelona, Spain - 01 Jun 2019

Stereolab Returns with New Album After 15 Years

Stereolab’s return with their new album Instant Holograms On Metal Film marks a triumphant resurgence for the band, offering fans their…

Neil Young performs during Farm Aid 2019 'Farm Aid', Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, Wisconsin, USA - 21 Sep 2019

Neil Young Performs ‘My Boy’ for First Time in 42 Years

Neil Young, the iconic Canadian singer-songwriter, captivated audiences with a memorable performance on May 23, 2025, showcasing his ability to…

Modest Mouse Mad Cool Music Festival 2022 in Valdebebas, Madrid, Spain - 08 Jul 2022

Modest Mouse Announces 2025 Tour

Modest Mouse has revealed an extension of its busy 2025 tour schedule with a highly anticipated North American fall tour.…

Lainey Wilson 2025 American Music Awards, Show, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA - 26 May 2025

Lainey Wilson Debuts New Song at 2025 AMAs

In an electrifying and heartfelt performance, Lainey Wilson delivered her new song, “Somewhere Over Laredo,” at the 2025 American Music…

Freddie Mercury Queen in concert at Wembley, London, UK - Sep 1984

Book Claims Freddie Mercury Had A Secret Daughter

In a sensational development about the renowned Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, a recently published biography titled Love, Freddie: Freddie Mercury’s…

Billy Joel live in concert, Hamburg, Germany 1990. // Billy Joel live in concert, Hamburg, Deutschland 1990. Billy Joel Live in Concert - 16 May 1990

Billy Joel Cancels Tour After Brain Diagnosis

Billy Joel’s announcement of canceling all his upcoming concerts has shocked and saddened fans around the globe. The legendary musician…

Foo Fighters - Dave Grohl Live Earth concert, Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - 07 Jul 2007

Foo Fighters’ Tour Rider for Jakarta Allows Swearing, Smoking & Drinking on Stage

The Foo Fighters are preparing to take the stage in Jakarta for the first time since 1996, with a concert…