Back in the late 80s I met Ritchie Blackmore and several other members of Deep Purple in Madison Connecticut. The band was taking a break from touring and rented a home along the coast. They were playing soccer at a local school field, and I watched them play until the game was over. They took soccer seriously. After they came back to the bench I asked if I could have an autograph from Ritchie Blackmore and he signed a check stub of mine. He was not what I was expecting from a rock star. He spoke like an English gentleman and was extremely polite. He introduced me to several band members. At the time I was more of a Rainbow Fan and didn’t know the others in Deep Purple. I met Roger Glover and Ian the singer. All of them were very nice.
Great video. Yes- Ritchie spoke very well of Eddie a few times when Eddie was still with us and after Eddie died. He was also a fan of Eddie's keyboard playing but made it clear he was no fan of DLR.
I am almost 52 years old, and I quite remember that not only Ritchie Blackmore, but also Eric Clapton, and even Jeff Beck kind of ignored him for a while, but, reflecting on that, around 1982-1983 when Rainbow, Cream, Led Zeppelin, or Black Sabbath were not shining as much as in the 70s Van Halen was like a real shooting star in a dark sky, I really think it was simply impossible that Eddie went unnoticed to those guys, and that those guys were not at least at some moment really impressed about Eddie's playing, I think all was their ego shit which was bigger...
Man, that combination of Ronnie James Dio and Richie Blackmore in Rainbow was downright epic. They split up before I really started going to any concerts but I wish I had seen them live. I did see Dio later during the “Holy Diver” tour with Queensryche opening - Queensryche had just released their first EP I believe - and that was a terrific show. You had two of the best metal singers alive at one show. If Iron Maiden had been there it would’ve been the best show ever. But another band I’d wish that I’d seen the original lineup: AC/DC. I’ve seen AC/DC a few times with Brian Johnson and it was really entertaining. But I’d give my little left pinky toe to see Bon Scott live. (I worked in a store 40-something years ago and Eddie Jackson used to come in quite a bit. Really nice guy actually and he just acted like a guy you’d have coffee with at Dennys.)
Eddie Jackson, Queensryche's Eddie Jackson? They were a very special band. You saw em when they were still hungry and up and coming I bet it was phenomenal! I luckily got to see them on the " Empire" tour and it remains one of my top 3 concerts experiences. They actually played all of "Mindcrime" and they were on fire that night "epic"!
At the end of everything, Ritchie recognized Eddie as a guitar legend, he certainly seemed to have great respect for him although he did not show it to him in life, great musicians
Ritchie’s image was fabricated by him, for the sake of his health. RB - “I’m not a star I’m a musician” He actually said it was an off stage act or front, to give him peace. He and Ian Gillan became seriously ill due to overwork in 1972, which the band now agree led to the biggest selling act on Earth (No1 billboard ‘73-‘74) splitting at their peak. Ritchie was touring with Blackmore’s Night (late 90’s) happily married, wife as singer and 2 kids around 5 years of age with them and occasionally on stage. That’s hardly in keeping with the persona he wanted to project for the media in the 70’s/80’s. He has always owned cats/loves animals and he is friends with all the original members of the mark ii line up. He did nothing but praise Eddie Van Halen in numerous interviews I read in the 80’s. Re the Rainbow bar story. I heard many years ago that he didn’t want to interact with Eddie, when he first approached but then went over and apologised to him but his apology wasn’t accepted by Eddie. Ritchie didn’t turn up for Purple’s inauguration into the R&R hall of Fame . He doesn’t care about stuff like that. He’s a musician and likely the greatest hard rock guitarist of his generation. Who else could have pulled off being the central force behind two of the most successful influential bands .. Purple/Rainbow… made a success of an acoustic outfit for 30 years … and no one alive could have pulled off the solo on “Child in Time” (1969) but Ritchie.
Great video man!! Really hilarious hearing how much of a tool Blackmore was. If you care for a suggestion/idea for your next video, it'd be really cool and fascinating if you did the story of Mark St. John (lead guitarist in KISS in 1984) and his short tenure in KISS. There was a lot of drama surrounding his short tenure with KISS, and I'd think that would make a great story to tell! He's a tragic figure if you ask me (very similar to Vinnie Vincent, whom Mark replaced in KISS). Anyways, I really enjoyed this video!!
Many thanks, great pleasure! Yes I know about Mark St. John, his brief stint with KISS. I knew he had a disease and passed away. I didn't know the whole story, I've just read it. Very sad what happened to him. Very tragic indeed
Many thanks for checking out, great pleasure!! Yes I know about Mark St. John and his brief stint with KISS. I knew that he had a disease and passed away but I didn't know the whole story. I've just read it. Very sad what happened to Mark, very tragic indeed.
@@karsguitarchannel6088 Indeed very sad. He was a monster guitar player. I think it's super awesome that KISS finally released a full live show recording featuring Mark on their Off the Soundboard series of live albums, Poughkeepsie NY 11/28/1984. Crazy that he barely played more than 2 full shows and a half show with KISS. Listening to the Poughkeepsie show, Mark did pretty damn good, but it also shows how Bruce Kulick proved to be a better fit for KISS overall.
EVH was an Aquarius, they love people all kinds. But most musicians aren't that way at all and nobody could shred a solo onstage with a big happy grin. Most of us make completely menacing faces while playing out hearts out.
I got a goosebump 😅. (Out of topic) have you ever seen a backstage photo ritchie blackmore and iron maiden member (with the mascot giant eddie too) can you tell that story? (Relation ritchie blackmore and iron maiden)
Knowing the things I've head about both Blackmore and Bonham I'd be very apprehensive to approach either of them back in this time period especially drinking alcohol in a bar but then again I'm just "some guy". Bonzo could be a dangerous drunk and not someone you wanted to piss off. Musicians back in the day were very competitive and gaurded. Ritchie has mellowed now days but had a very unpleasant deminore and ego back when and I'm certain if he was at all familiar with Eddie It was probably like the Jimi Hendrix anxiety all over again. Eddie was a phenomenal talent and inovater. Im certain Eddie had Ritchie a little concerned and he couldn't "get over himself". Ive seen Ritchie in later years talking in interviews and he spoke well of Eddie and gave him the credit he deserved.
EDDY WAS GOOD..BUT NOT IN RICHIES LEAGUE WHATSOEVER..DEEP PURPLE WITH ZEPPLIN PUT ROCK ON THE MAP..VAN HALEN WROTE PARTY SONGS AND GIRLS TUNES..NOT SOMETHING THATS LEGENDARY..SO EDDY GETS A MENTION..BUT NOT TOP 3..OR 5.OR 6..MAY TOP 10
I think it depends on how you approach rb. If your intrusive, drunk, loud and obnoxious he brushes you off. He also said he doesn’t trust people who smile a lot. Not saying EVH was any of that when he met rb but maybe.
There is an old saying you never want to meet your hero. They will always disappoint you. Ritchie Blackmore is one of them. Still a top 3 guitarist in his day.
@@moekancha Yup nobody talks about him. He always said he wanted to be nowhere. Now he's nowhere acting like a fool with the sixteenth century stuff. People could care less.
Hey Dude, Though Ritchie left in 1993,I met Deep Purple after the show at House of Blues Myrtle beach SC in 1998..They talked to a crowd of fans after we waited 2 hours for them to come out..They talked to us 4 1/2 hours,it was just about daybreak...Coolest damn guys in the world...Ritchie would never do that..
@@MrStratbat I believe it. Steve Morse is a great guitarist. Down to earth and a genuine good guy. Pace Gillian Glover Lord are legit rock stars. RIP Jon Douglas, Lord 🙏. Ritchie is a strange character. DIO said he's the worst person to his fans he ever met in the busness. He said that he learned what to do right from Ritchie and also what not to do. I think that sums up Ritchie Blackmore. I'm sad to say. It's too bad a man with his talent is a foul person to most people. Not all but most, including his peers. He broke Eddy's heat treating him like a dog. You caught Ritchie on a good night. 👍 I still think he's one of the best rock guitarist in the world in his day. Rock on thanks for sharing a good story with us fans. Cheers 🍻
Yes, but not delusional like you. Yes, let's hear your work. Surely, because you're a guitarist, you have some jams we need to hear? You are still in the garage or clubs. Prove me wrong with a link. I will openly honestly tell you the truth about your playing. Alvin was a great guitarist. Rory Galliger was a great guitarist. That's just 2. Most people don't even know their names. Blackmore started neoclassical. What type of music did Alvin invent ? Get the point? That's why Blackmore is held in such high esteem. Lee is a great guitarist, but beside Blues Rock, what did he do differently. My friend you put it out thier your a guitarist. Let's hear you music on Spotify or Google music. Surely your an authority on guitarist. Make me eat crow. I will gladly do it if your in thier league. Rock on 🤘
Well, you called me delusional and then you referenced Alvin Lee.. I said Albert Lee who invented the country guitar style. One of the greats. As for Van Halen, you would be delusional to think any guitarist you mentioned even scraped the surface compared to Eddie. He was the first guy to dip his pickups in wax to eliminate squeel. He modified his Marshall, influenced Floyd Rose to incorporate fine tuners. Built the Frankenstrat, learned to keep a fender bridge in tune. As for my playing. Of course I can play. But I don't just play electric I'm also into fingerstyle. My singer died in 2012. I live in Taipei now so I am not in a band, tho I still record. I'll send a link. I am playing 12 string. I don't play to show off but all of my leads are improvised. I can play that shred stuff but that stuff is boring.
Yes please sorry about that, I just wanted to say that Blackmore knew how great Eddie was and he often mentioned him and talked about Van Halen in the interviews.
Richie Blackmore is a guitar savant but I think he’s just a plain bad guy. I’ve heard about his “practical jokes” and he’s an absolute psychopath - little-to-no remorse or empathy. But while I think that Richie is or was a terrific guitarist - I have no idea if he’s still touring or even playing - to me there was a guitarist who completely changed rock: Randy Rhoads. I saw Randy live during the “Blizzard” tour, not long before he died. But Randy was more classically influenced than rock guitarists and he was simply incredible. After Randy died there were a lot of imitators and sone of them were actually really good. Carlos from Quiet Riot who replaced Randy was actually very good and I saw him a couple years later - nearly front row. But most rock guitarists before Randy were blues influenced and while blues is fine - I think the best blues guys actually came from the 40s - what Randy was doing required real proficiency on the guitar. (I think the best guitarist ever is Andres Segovia with Paco de Lucia being up there too. But supposedly Andres started playing Flamenco but he thought it was “cheesy” so he really invented classical on the guitar. At any rate Andres, Paco, Randy and Eddie were all incredible guitarists but unfortunately they’re all gone now. RIP.)
Thank God Ricthie Blackmore is still around. Top 3 in his day. Strange person but brutally honest to a point. Has no people skills. He is who he is. A product of post world war two england very rough life. Paid is due's countless times. Led the way in neoclassical music we know today. The invention of it from him.
I met Ritchie Blackmore in late 80s and he was extremely polite to me and came across as a very nice person. I watched him and the band play soccer and got an autograph after they finished playing.
@@barryrammer7906 That's right. Yngwie was heavily influenced by Ritchie Blackmore (I only mentioned Yngwie because a lot of people think he created neoclassical), right down to scalloping his fretboard. He's not one of my favourites, but I can still say he's one of the best. That solo he did on Stargazer is mesmerising. The tone he gets on that song from a single coil is amazing. I read one of your other comments and completely agree - Blackmore _is_ a Mt Rushmore of Rock guitarist.
@@barryrammer7906 No problem at all, mate. EVH fans are extremely easily offended - especially when you point out that he didn't write any riffs that are out-and-out classics (like Smoke on the Water, Layla, Day Tripper, Sunshine of Your Love, Money for Nothing, Anarchy in the UK etc). Rock on.
Ritchie Blackmor was a twat with his circle of friends and colleagues, let alone with a random dude that comes to say "hello" (back then Eddie was a "random guy", at least the first time he came to say hello to Boham and Blackmore). The second time, Eddie was very big and Blackmore was, surprise surprise, jealous. Guitar players are divas with very fragile egos. And they say Eddie became the same kind of monster, he ignored and mistreated Randy Rhodes when Randy was the "random guy" saying "hi" to his guitar hero. History is a circle.
Yes according to Ronnie James Dio, Ritchie Blackmore was really mean to the fans in the mid and late 70's. One of the reasons was because new fresh bands like AC/DC and Van Halen appeared on the scene and they rocked it. They say that Blackmore became more friendly to the fans when he reformed Deep Purple Mark II in 1984.
I’ve seen Blackmore twice and both times he’s treated the audience with contempt. Walked off stage at the second gig not to return. I wouldn’t bother to cross the road to piss on Blackmore. He’s a pig of a man. Eddie left him for dead in the late 70’s.
Fame can do strange things to people. And not just guitar players. It is very much a human thing, for better AND worse. If it happens to a person later in life, it's not as precarious, but the kind of fame that rock musicians achieve, happens at a young age... It's like a very, very powerful drug a bit, isn't it... There are countless examples of it, and how badly it can go. I guess Blackmore tackled it to a fashion, in as much as he is still around now, in his late seventies. But, it did turn him into a bit of a cynic. He has become more rounded at the edges in later years, though, and sometimes even give very candid interviews, something he never(!) really did back in the day.
@@karsguitarchannel6088 I met Ritchie Blackmore in late 80s and he was extremely polite to me and came across as a very nice person. I watched him and the band play soccer and got an autograph after they finished playing.
Nah. There would be no EVH as we know it, without the tone/theme/writing/technique innovations of Blackmore. Eddie knew it which is why he wanted to meet him so bad.
Blackmore came from an esteemed stock of session muso's like Page (look him up - his first name was Jimmy) and so learned a vast array of styles from pop, country through rock, blues and classical. When he took that into DP, he extrapolated all those styles into a unique proto-metal sound. Yes, EVH was an innovator, too, but was a little more one-dimensional than Blackmore. EVH was also smart enough to know where talent lay.
@@michaelstephen819 Well that, and Pete Townsend himself(who lived close-by Ritchie growing up and saw his development along with Page/Beck not far away, directly credited Blackmore with being the logistical founder of heavy metal. He *_did_* also claim that The Who were likely the first technical genre archetypes of it(higher-decibel-mixed rhythm section with cutting, distorted electric guitar, all punctuated by a high-wattage/gunfire energy baritone/tenor singer). But he acknowledges Blackmore took that skill set and far surpassed it with his earliest offerings in the 60's/early-70's and eventually Blackmore's Rainbow. Pretty high praise from a guy(Townsend), who was often loathe to give credit to any other musician in any genre.
@@2216sammy Well then I guess you've got the inside track disproving the entire theme of a video you just watched with the featured subject matter EVH being crestfallen and angry at Ritchie's reaction to him when they met. You've got a real scoop there and I look forward to your future work disputing the moon landing and a round Earth.
@@mikaelhaggard8031 like Parisian Walkways , Still in love with you, Empty rooms , still got the blues ? dont let your ignorance think you have better judgement than others
@@holland736 nobody outside you and a few know any of those. Good try though. I'm not saying he wasn't great , but Hughes has made a living off the few years he was in DP and associated with RB. He's on tour now , doing what ? Playing DP songs. He gets interviewed and introduced as ex DP. RB riffs and music are far more memorable to most.
Blackmore is unquestionably an all-time great guitarist and a genius. But Eddie is an even greater genius and an even better guitarist than Ritchie (in terms of raw talent, creativity, and chops) . They’re both top 5, and both changed music forever. But Eddie’s musical gifts can only be compared to the giants of music history.
Yes there's nobody comes close to Blackmore for rock guitar skill fact even Johnny Marr said vanhalen was a crazy look at my fingers dude nutcase when he met him
