NEWS:  After a 33 year absence and acrimony, Ritchie Blackmore finally stood on stage with the band he founded.  He played “Smoke on the Water” to thousands of crazy fans at Jones Beach.  Watch the video, and hear the Stratocaster play that riff one more time.

Just look at Ian Gillan, watching as Blackers starts the riff. CHILLS! Blackmore playfully pokes Ian. It’s so lovely. And that solo! It might not have the speed of the past, but the feel and melodic construction is all there.

Mostly, the warmth that was never there on stage, is palpable.  And it is so beautiful to see.

5/5 stars

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In a livestream, Blackmore said:

“I actually called up… I didn’t call him up, I sent my A.I. pigeon to Ian Gillan in Portugal, where he lives at the moment. And I said, ‘How would you feel about if I got up just for an encore? Just one of the songs. I don’t want to intrude.’ And I said, ‘No pressure — just kind of [for] old times’ sake.’ I’m 81 now. So 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 have my roadie there kind of now, setting up my amplifier. But I’ll be using a small amplifier, but it’s very loud. It’s what I use when I record. I hope I can compete with the guitar player, because I can see that he has very big amplifiers behind him. So, it’d probably just be the one number, as it’s been a while. I changed my strings on my Strat, which I haven’t done in over 25 years… I hope the guy out in the front can turn me up. I’ve got my roadie there for a soundcheck.”