A moment that Deep Purple fans have waited 33 years took place near the end of the band’s set at Jones Beach, New York on Wednesday evening when frontman Ian Gillan addressed the crowd. Do you mind if I come and jam with you?’ And it was an absolute pleasure to have back onstage, the founder member, the great legend, the immortal, Ritchie Blackmore!” As the crowd erupted and countless cellphones rose high into the air, the band kicked into “Smoke on the Water,” marking Blackmore’s first performance with the band since November 17, 1993. And despite all the subsequent bad blood and firm proclamations that they’d never reunite (even at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction), every member of the band beamed with joy.
Gillan even sang part of the song with his arm around Blackmore’s shoulder. I’ll see you in the bar.” The reunion wasn’t exactly a secret since Richie let the news slip the evening before in an Instagram post. I don’t want to intrude.’ He seemed to love the idea, put it to the band, got a thumbs up, and it looks like we might be doing that.” “I hope I can compete with the [current Deep Purple] guitar player [Simon McBride],” Blackmore added.
Taylor Swift Removes Yet Another Song From Yet Another White House TikTok Video GOP Candidate Slammed for Telling Voters to Deal With Gas Prices by Cutting Back on Starbucks Still, fans weren’t 100 percent sure it would happen until shortly before showtime when Candice Night, Blackmore’s wife and bandmate in Blackmore’s Night, posted a backstage photo of Blackmore with the members of Deep Purple. At the very least, this gives a future Deep Purple documentary or biopic a perfect final scene. It’s also a sign for fans of Simon & Garfunkel, Talking Heads, Yes, Genesis, and other hopelessly fractured acts that anything is possible as long as these people remain above ground.
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