describes. “I was obviously into rock guitar playing, but I was also very attracted to the classical overtones. I wasn’t schooled to play medieval or Renaissance music in the traditional sense, but it still really excites me when I hear it played in its purest form. My contribution is to take it into another realm, which is a little bit of rock and blues thrown in there,
WHAT I FIND FASCINATING—AMONGST A LOT OF OTHER THINGS THAT I FIND FASCINATING WITH THIS MUSIC—IS THAT, WHEN THEY DID WRITE THE MUSIC OUT, THEY’D HARDLY EVER WRITE OUT THE TIMING disguised. I don’t do a lot of string bending when I’m playing this music, but I’ll certainly be thinking almost like a blues/classical player. Above all, I try to approach this music with a spirit of creativity.” Following his initial rise to fame with Deep Purple (1968-1975), fueled by the eternal smash “Smoke on the Water,” Blackmore found success with Rainbow (1975-1984), initially featuring singer Ronnie James Dio, followed by Joe Lynn Turner. In 1984, Blackmore reconnected with Deep Purple Mk. II (Ian Gillan, John Lord, Roger Glover and Ian Paice) and the newly reunited band released the very successful Perfect Strangers album. Tensions between Blackmore and Gillian led to Blackmore’s departure and the reformation of Rainbow, from 1993-1997, after which Blackmore redirected his energy into Blackmore’s Night.
THE HARMONY OF FOURTHS IS THE STRUCTURE I USED FOR WRITING THE MAIN LICKS IN “SMOKE ON THE WATER” AND “BURN.”
In this exclusive Audio Chronicles, Ritchie Blackmore describes in depth his earliest experiences as a guitarist, his days as an in-demand session player, and the rise of Deep Purple. He begins by discussing the principles of “concert pitch” and his preference for the feel of a Stratocaster, his instrument of choice, tuned down one half step.
Full Exclusive Audio Interview
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