Ritchie Blackmore reflects on his 'very moving' reunion with Deep Purple

Ritchie Blackmore has finally talked about his recent onstage reunion with Deep Purple after years of estrangement.

For those unaware, Blackmore reunited with his former band Deep Purple to perform the set closer Smoke on the Water in Wantagh, New York, earlier this week after three decades.

Notably, the 81-year-old English guitarist’s last performance with Deep Purple was in Helsinki, Finland, in November 1993, as he parted ways with the band after developing a frosty relationship with singer Ian Gillan.

While conversing with Guitar Player after his reunion performance, Blackmore articulated his thoughts by saying, "It was very moving because I went on very quickly and had to play immediately.”

"I couldn't warm up, but I wasn't there to be playing correct notes. I was there to see old friends I hadn't seen in 40 years and we're all getting older,” he shared. “I think we realised it could be the last time we see each other, maybe."

Reflecting on his performance, the Soldier of Future crooner quipped, "It was tricky. I didn't play anything too technical, as I felt I should stick to the rudiments of being simple.”

"I still lost my place at one point, but it's not why I was there. I was there to heal any wounds – but there weren't any wounds.”

"Everyone was like, we were in the army, all along the Western front and we were all getting together again. Very emotional moment,” Ritchie Blackmore concluded.