This rare Ritchie Blackmore interview has just surfaced - It shows a side of this great man and musician we rarely see .... Ritchie is happy to talk about all things Purple including one incident with Ian Gillan and a plate of pasta!
a lot of people from the Boomer ages disagree but you hit it on the head. I guess it amazes me that my Guitar hero was right under my nose in the 60s and 70s.
dry humour, it goes over a lot of peoples heads, especially americans. Rich Hall is the only american comedian i like, his dry humour fits british comedy like a glove.
"I've never felt that we did anything that was outstanding...I never felt that I had 'arrived', that I was a star, that I was anything other than ordinary. I'm just a musician who's very lucky that I can pay my bills." Said the greatest guitarist of all time from the greatest rock band of all time for many many people.
@jermone hands nah. it's how genius minds typically are. they are searching ever further, looking ever higher, the point is not in the achieving but it is the search itself that matters. this is the mindset of one who never sits on his laurels. after doing an album like "in rock" one could settle in and live off that legacy for sure, but not mr blackmore...
I always enjoy listening to Ritchie. He is always soft spoken and seems kind and intelligent. As talented as he is, I never see him put himself on a pedestal or make himself the focus of whatever he is involved in. I really get tired of others talking shit about him. When he is gone, like his friend Jon Lord, it will be a huge loss to the music world and a sad day for Ritchie's and Deep Purple's, Rainbow's fans and those musicians who consider Ritchie Blackmore one of if not THE greatest rock guitarists ever to set foot on stage. He is soft spoken, humble, and a gentleman who deserves all the respect and consideration he gets. I hope he is around for a long time. We are close in age and I will always enjoy his music and the stories I love to hear about Purple and Ritchie's past and present life. I am not one to idolize any man, including rock royalty., but I do have a good amount of respect for Ritchie. Thanks again Ritchie for the talent and all the effort I am certain you have put into your craft during your life. Keep it up. You deserve all the accolades I have heard given to you.
Well, there is what you tell about yourself in interviews, and what you actually did in actual reality. Maybe Ritchie forgot how he was pursuing fame for almost 2 decades, trying to be a rock/pop star. He may SAY he never did anything of the sort, but any moderately wise man will tell you words are cheap.
@@Puppy-ew4be Both statements are correct. He used to be kind with musicians of similar tastes, and high skill level. And those who respected HIM. But he would be unkind to anyone who wants to tell him what music to make. I'd say he got less disrespectful with age. A little.
Ritchie is phenomenal, he has it all technique, breadth of knowledge, beautiful tone, great vibrato, an intuitive feel for modal pattern improvisation and lyrical phrasing rivaled only by Duane Allman during that era. Like all great guitarists he also has a unique sound that is instantly recognizable. Ritchie might be his own worst critic but he's also one of the great stylists and unique voices in rock history. Steve Morse is fabulous as well but likewise has his own unique style and voice which is very different. Using a jazz analogy, Blackmore's style is more lyrical and melodic like Stan Getz or Chet Baker whereas Steve's style is more similar to Coltrane. I use this analogy because jazz is my first love. Both are great guitarists as was Tommy Bolin before succumbing to his demons. I don't understand why so many fans appreciate only one at the expense of the others. Stylistic diversity is a good thing, if everyone played the same things the same way music would become terribly boring.
I think at the end of the interview he was very excited and his eyes were shining. Even if he is an infinite guitarist, certain emotions cannot be forgotten..
I believe Ritchie when he says he didn’t think of himself as some big famous rock star. However, we did. Combing thru RU-vid videos I don’t think there is a guitarist that has more videos made about him and his band. Interviews, documentaries, live shows, reaction videos, studio recordings, guitar vids showing you how to play like Blackmore, etc. Ritchie may be low key about his success but the rest of the rock world knows who he is, what he has accomplished and would give our left arm to meet him and be able to drink a beer with him. Beginning in 1970, he became the prototypical hard rock guitarist. The way he looked, the way he played and the way he moved became the standard for all other hard rock players to emulate.
No Ritchie, you are wrong. You are more than just another musician. You are a great musician, who, along with just a handful of other guys, changed the face of rock forever. You inspired countless guitarists to play hard rock and heavy metal in your style, some of whom made it professionally and others who are amateurs. You are often referred to as “The Master”.
Ritchie has always been portrayed as an egotistical fat-head. But listening to his interviews, I see that he is very humble and makes light of his amazing inspiration of so many other great and famous guitarists, and his tremendous impact on the contemporary music environment. He really is a guitar god, but he totally down plays all that.
This is what the problem is... & Blackmore see's this as a problem when people begin to idolize or worship musicians such as himself for more than what they really are which is just a musician a guitar player in a successful band... nothing more... if he doesn't see himself as a super star than why should anyone else... I enjoy his playing but I don't idolize him or look upon him as some god that needs to be worshiped... just my opinion ....
Made in Japan is my favorite Purple LP. I was 12 years old when it came out, and Ritchie's playing inspired me to play guitar. The live solo on Highway Star still gives me goose bumps 50 years later. Thank you Ritchie for the inspiration. That entire band was/is brilliant ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
No matter what Ritchie thinks of himself, he’s undisputed one of the greatest guitarist in our history, his musicality is second to none , he’s time in Deep Purple was an absolutely legendary part of what became the bench mark for Hard Rock that set the grounds for everything that came after Deep Purple , definitely Purple , Zeppelin and Sabbath were the greatest in that era post 60’s they dominated throughout the entire 70’s
I can pay my bills, I don bot be a star. This words from the best guitar player on this planet. And i believe him 100% that he thinks so. What a humble and friendly man.
I'm glad I watched this video, he's the reason why I followed deep Purple & Rainbow. But I didn't know this side of him, he's much nicer person than I imagined.
@popcorns house 80's music really??? The bulk of music from the 80's onward is absolute crap. The Only good guitarist since the 80's is Tommy Emmanuel. You are a music moron.
Mark DP - of course his dryness is very British, yet he plays on the irony that if you don't take the time to be well now you have to take the time to be sick later. You can't not take care is the point. It's a false economy of time and energy failing to look after oneself, and even young bands discover this truth from stresses like playing and traveling and presumably drinking. Then in your 40s onward you discover you have even less bounce-back from such self-neglect, so as you learn to self-manage more responsibly you ironically remain healthier than you did at half your age when you supposedly had more resilience.
Ritchie may not think of himself as a star, but my bedroom wall was adorned with his posters and album covers. He was always, and still is, a star to me.
I ran into Ritchie Blackmore at the supper market buying cat food, on Long Island N.Y. and he was a nice guy by turning around and offering a hand shake, he was and still is my #1 guitar hero out of the top ten of all time and the reason why I play guitar today...
beannie60 As a kid in 1970 I remember Deep Purple all answered a list of Questions the answers to which were printed out under their pictures in a music magazine. Jon Lords fav composer was Shostakovich, Ritchie -Bach (of course). They were all blown away by Led Zeppelin’s first album and Jack Bruce’s voice .... and Ritchie’s Cat was called Strotchie. 🐈
I met Ritchie - twice. First was when a buddy and I decided to skip organic chem lab and go to a local pub. We're there bitching about those fucking boring labs, what a waste of time they are and so forth when in walks Ritchie! My friend and I are like Holy Shit!!! That's Ritchie Blackmore!! We walked over, asked if we could buy him a beer. He said sure, have a seat. We spoke for at least an hour (time flew by). I found him to be quiet, shy, intelligent, soft spoken - an absolute gentleman. We talked about Rainbow, equipment, classical composers. We told him we were looking forward to seeing Rainbow (an upcoming concert). Upon hearing this, he immediately made arrangements to get backstage passes for us, This was during the Rising tour. That concert remains one of the 3 all time best I ever attended (other 2 - DP in 72, MH and ELP in 74, BSS). I was blown away by Stargazer, A Light in the Black and Still I'm Sad all done in a row (poor Cozy!) To go from mood playing to blistering the fretboard doing things that Malmsteen and Roth can only dream of doing (I do like them both) - just amazing. Met the boys after the show. Ritchie remembered us and thanked us for coming. Great time, had a blast. Cozy was very funny. This happened over 40 years ago and I still remember it as if it just happened. One of the best nights of my life ever. Just think if I had not decided to say fuck organic chem lab!!! But seriously, Ritchie is a really nice person and a gentleman. I think he gets a bad rap in the press.
I always learn something from interviews with Ritchie - great raconteur! I’m beginning to see why it is that he has such a mixed reputation: It’s not so much that he’s a prima donna, per se, it’s just that he has a different way of going about doing his job, and that rubs certain people the wrong way. I completely “get” why he wanted (and got) his own dressing-room, etc. - now, this will never happen to me 😄, but I have thought about how I would approach preparing for a performance, and I would certainly fall into Blackmore’s camp in that I would want to be away from the whole backstage-scene for about 2 hours before going on. I have performed publicly ( though not for-profit), and when I could manage it I would go into “game-mode” at least an hour before, away from everybody else. There’s no right-or-wrong way, here, just different ways of approaching your task. 🙂
We see all the glamour and magic of performers like Ritchie and never imagine what goes on behind the scenes. Wonderful interview with an extremely talented performer who is also a very down to earth person.
Ritchie Blackmore is right. I remember clearly that around 1971-74, it was common knowledge that the best 3 bands were Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin & Black Sabbath.
This is a real rarity and certainly the most candid I think he's ever been about the feud between him and gillan. I think it's very easy to demonise someone once trash talk gets onto the press. From what I can gather it was a series of misunderstandings that were totally overblown by the pressures of touring and cabin fever. I love his honesty here, especially the comment about just being a lucky musician who can pay the bills. He was very patient with the interviewer, who seemed to want different answers to the ones he was getting.
Not an easy task to chose the best Purple song, but if I would have to do it, I probably would say Child in time, as well, but as I said almost impossible. Burn or You fool no one (specially live), are two remarkable songs also.
Mr. Richard Hugh Blackmore 🎸 One of the best interviews i have heard with My idol. Real Deal Ariesman ♈️ A genius but so misunderstood 🌈 Thank You for the music 🎼 Respect 💜
Thank you Ritchie. Very honest answers. If you ever wonder, your music has moved so many people. Child in Time. Pictures of Home, Catch the Rainbow, Man on the Silvermountain, Stargazer, A light in the Black, Shadow of the Moon, Fires at Midnight and a few dozen more.
He is one of the very best guitarists. I like Ritchie Blackmore.....talented +++++++ He is very private and minds his own business, which is what I like
Child in time(MNJ) my favorite song. Blackmore, favorite guitarist. Enjoying since age 12-62. Blackmore’s influence, place and sound places him at the top of rock music in my view.
Whenever i come across a clip on Ritchie Blackmore, i always clicked. As for most geniuses that ever lived, they are the ones usually most misunderstood. So between Ian Gillan and Ritchie Blackmore, it's a no brainer who is the genius between the two. Respect you Mr Ritchie Blackmore, and thanks for those memorable music and killer rifts you gave us over the years. They're timeless.
If you read Gillans autobiography he has really nothing but nice things to say about Blackmore. The food incident is significant it seems as both musicians point to it as a breaking point in their relationship. I honestly think it is pretty amazing the longevity of Blackmores career. Hits with MkI, Mk II, Mk III, Rainbow hits with Dio, hits with Bonnet, hits with Turner then he forms Blackmore's Night and dominates that genres charts.
"I'm just a musician and I'm very lucky that I can pay my bills" - can't get more down to Earth than that. He may be known as mercurial and unpredictable, but I think Ritchie is just honest, with himself and others.
My favorite guitarist for almost 40 years now -amazingly nice nice playing he pulls off -love the haunting slide and the hard rock with a classical edge. He's been a pleasant fellow the handful of times I met him.. Some nights he's a complete speedking and others he stands behind the amps but never a bad show
I'm still finding great guitar works of Ritchie as I listen to my collection of Purple, Rainbow & other bootleg gigs. I'm grateful to have that because I wouldn't listen to anything played by radio today. I think the reason they don't play old Deep Purple on the radio nowadays is because people would realize there is actual good music in existence and would completely stop buying whatever the crap they are selling today. Why they are buying it is beyond me, anyway.
I have had the pleasure of having a pint with the gent....I was very honored to have some quality music discussions with him which outside of official interviews he rarely does.
I met him - twice. It was the time of Rising. He showed up at a local watering hole not far from the college I was attending. My friend and I were shocked to see him walk in. (Turns out he was seeing a local girl at the time). We walked over, asked if we could buy him a beer. He said sure. We sat and spoke for like an hour. We talked about Rainbow, equipment, touring, music, Baroque and Renaissance music. I found him to be very intelligent, soft spoken, thoughtful, nothing at all as he is portrayed. I think because he is a perfectionist, he does not suffer fools at all is how this might rub people the wrong way. He is a man of integrity. I have always thought that Gillan was the real asshat, the real trouble maker. As we were finishing our conversation, Ritchie, upon hearing we had tickets to an upcoming concert, made arrangements for us to have backstage passes. So, I got to meet all the boys in Rainbow))) What a night!!! Great concert. Ritchie did things on the guitar, I have yet to see anyone else come close to doing. As to the boys... Ronnie was a bit of a jerk (must be a singer thing), Carey and Bain were quiet but nice guys. Cozy was a blast - really funny. Of course, saw Ritchie again, and he actually thanked us for coming to the show and stopping by backstage. In short, he is a gentleman.
I have had many experiences with Ritchie....we live close.... I played jazz guitar at a high end but discreet fine dining restaurant and Ritchie would come in.... I never approached or did anything but a polite nod as they would pass me on the way in and out.... Ritchie and Candace would sit in the darker corner area...once I threw a little of my woman from Tokyo in a jazz standard....andI saw him look up and give me a sly small smile....later the evening I was invited by them to go out for a pint and meet them at another spot ...where by chance a friend of mine was the bartender...when I told them that Candace said that was her friend as well and she was who had told them about me playing at the restaurant and they should come check me out... about half hr later I caught up with them and had a surreal hour or so talking about music and life in general with one of my hero's and Influences....he is a true gentleman...but as well as said....does not suffer fools well...thankfully I was not that fool.....at least that night haha... . I had the honor of being told directly from "the MAN" that he greatly enjoyed my playing and it showed " style and grace." And complemented me on how I played for the love of the music ... I have nothing but great respect for his musicianship and the very special chance to be some what of an equal with him as just another bloke having a pint and nice conversation.. he does not mention me by name but if you tube RITCHIE BLACKMORE CNN interview.. half way thru he talks about seeing a guitar player at a restaurant and loving that fact that he was there just for the music (and a few bucks of course ☺) and I really believe he was speaking of me... pretty crazy!!...but true.
@@j.reveille6815 Wow, thanks for sharing)) This is really cool!! Amazing story!! Ritchie is very soft spoken, intelligent, thoughtful. He has integrity and sticks to his principles. I remember reading an interview with Jon. In this interview, Jon said that Ritchie has so many tapes of his playing, practice sessions where he does these amazing jazz playing, classical playing, Baroque playing. Jon said, he really wishes Ritchie would release this material. He said his playing is so incredibly astonishing. I also remember Jon's commenting on BN saying his acoustic playing is astonishingly excellent. He said, "Ritchie is 4 guitarists in one" BTW, FWIW, I am a keyboardist (and bassist), but classically trained pianist (paper trained, haha!). Jon taught me that one can do both rock and classical that it was not necessary to choose one or the other. Having seen the onstage duels between Ritchie and Jon - mind blowing.. My 3 all time favorite musicians: Jon, Keith and Ritchie.
@ science talk.....sounds like we met the same person....haha..but i also know you dont want to piss him off either...I 'm very happy to have had the opportunity to spend some time with him sounds like you are as well ☺
great to listen to the man, very humble, just another guy who could play the guitar, from a group of English guitar players of the time. It still a mystery how it came about.
Extreme Cleanout Solutions- everyone that has met him...I saw a different side of him last Dec...I was in Heaven when he and I were talking. Such a nice man...
Yeah that's interesting. It really makes you ask the question, 'what in my life is important?' Because Richie's definitely not buying the cultish mythology people generally scribe to Deep Purple's success and stardom. Is some of the music really good, well yes but everything that surrounds that is just the echo of the world. Sound and fury as it were.
Hard top believe he's totally honest. That's what he says now, mellowed with the age. It's also a way to underestimate the importance of DP in his carieer. Just a job to pay his bills as if he was plumber. Well...
After Ritchie said in regards to the Smoke on the Water reference, "Deep Purple had so many great songs that you never ever heard on the radio" - shouldn't the interviewer's next question been, "Would you name some of those great songs that didn't get radio play?" I would love to know which ones were Ritchie's favorites, or the ones he considered DP's greatest.
For people who likes to play classical music always has a kind heart,other than Rock music. With Ritchie we must know how to get along. Actually he's a good man, I myself like him very much. I hope I can take a photo with him. Please Ritchie come to Malaysia. You have many fans here. To me you are a good man ,you respect other musicians and artists never talk bad about them. You with yourself. Best regard from me.
In the 70s Ritchie was shopping in a store called Caldor with his wife. My best friend's mom was a manager there. She nonchalantly comes home and says to him oh yeah and that guy from Deep Purple was in the store today, I forgot what he needed but I helped him find it. Me and my buddy were all EEEEEWWWWHHHHAAAAAAAAAT??? lol
It's like the time I was in college, a friend and I decided to blow off organic chem lab and go to the local bar. We're there having a beer when in walks Ritchie. My friend and I are like HOLY SHIT!!! That's Ritchie Blackmore. Anyway, we walked over, asked if we could buy him a beer and join him. He said sure. We spoke for like an hour or so. A gentleman, quiet, shy, intelligent, down to earth, pleasant. We told him we will see Rainbow soon. Upon hearing this, he made arrangements to get us backstage passes))) That was one blistering concert... Now just think, this would never have happened if my friend and I did not decide to say fuck O chem lab!!! That was one F I was glad to have received!!!
I seriously have no idea why everyone else has panned him so much, just because he is his own introspective self. And a humble man. Myself, I understand wanting to be the fuck away from most people.
I met Ritchie back in the early 80s when he was on tour with Rainbow, I was maybe 19 years old at the time.. Contrary to what people say, he was very nice and signed the first Rainbow album for me!! I still have it all these years later framed on my wall!! Met Rodger Glover and Don Airy too the same night!! All cool dudes!!!
The most underrated guitarists ever not only for what he did with Deep Purple but to do it even better a second time with rainbow in my opinion the man is a musical genius maybe someday people will realize what a gift we were given and put Richie on the Mount Rushmore of guitarists where he belongs
Can you even believe how humble this man is. Literally one of the greatest blues / hard rock guitarists of all time and hes like, ya I never really felt like I "made it", was just happy to play music with great musicians. WOW
Deep Purple was an amazing band with many great songs, Space Truckin, No,No,No Child in Time, Highway Star etc. I learned a great deal from this guitarist. He was very clean and accurate as a player. I copied him as closly as possible. There are rumors he was arrogant but clearly he is not and probably never was. Thank you so much Mr. Blackmore.
Ritchie Blackmore wrote a huge book in modern music, he brought so much...just like guitar legends in jazz music : Wes Montgomery or George Benson..We love you Ritchie ...from everywhere in the world....
@@DSpeir-pi6tm My birthday is 16/04 and I also play guitar and Ritchie was my first guitar god. We come across as difficult because we are complex personalities. There's no disputing Ritchies contribution to rock guitar along side other greats. Remember he was about before Hendrix.
I think Ritchie Blackmore is the most complete rock guitarist I have ever heard. I am a huge fan of his having seen both Deep Purple and Rainbow live and at their best.
Blackmore always avoided the spotlight. As Gene Simmons s said, if he would have shined the light on himself he would be a household name like the Pages and Claptons of the world.
I have seen two short interviews by Gene Simmons praising Ritchie. Gene Simmons either read OR heard about an in-depth interview where he praises KISS and in particular their much maligned Dynasty album. From memory Ritchie said that he liked how two of the songs of Dynasty were well produced and blended rock with pop. THE egos of Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley must have grown to the size of a Cathedral. Speaking of all things Deep Purple and KISS, 2014 saw Paul Stanley confess an interesting fact. PAUL STANLEY saw how Purple finally had success in the US. Machine Head was released and sold extremely well... about 120,000 short of 3 million units. The brilliant live album Made in Japan followed. SMOKE On the Water the studio single was released and it did not not do as well as expected. Bizarrely . . . the live version was released and both versions shooting up the US Billboard charts. Roger Glover claims that at one stage they were numbers 6 and 7 on the single charts. Lol. It turns out KISS copied this with their iconic Rock and Roll All Nite. KISS copied MoJ with KISS: Alive 1 and that famous Deep Purple live rawness.
Frosted I also heard an interview where Blackmore praises KISS for their stage shows. You have to remember that he played with Screaming Lord Sutch who also a showman. I’m not a KISS music fan but you have to give them credit for their stage show gimmicks and appeal to the younger kids.
What a great guy! The world will not see another Ritchie Blackmore for another 100 years. By then he would be considered as the modern equivalent of Bach and Mozart
I completely get Ritchie Blackmore's vibe! I'm a lot the same way. He doesn't suffer fools gladly! He's a very grounded down to earth kind of bloke! He does his job, he expects the same from other musicians. If you don't pull your weight you get sacked! He has a very clear and focused view of how things should go in a band. He's a loner and I get that because I'm one. A congenial loner to be exact. In your career as a musician you encounter some people with egos so big their heads won't fit through the door! Recently a man 👨 I used to work has been trying to get in touch with me calling me randomly wanting me to come work with playing drums in his new gig. He was always speaking about how good a guitar 🎸 player he was and I commented that I wasn't a half bad drummer myself. He talked down to me. Very condescending/patronizing and expected me to give him the cred/respect of an unknown and then wouldn't give me the benefit of the doubt! He has he said been working in Nashville, "You said you could play drums, so come on!" (And to this very day I've yet to hear 👂 him play the first note!) The nerve of the guy!
