Ritchie Blackmore

Ritchie Blackmore is a legendary English guitarist (born April 14, 1945) whose innovative riffing, neoclassical solos, and blues-infused style helped pioneer hard rock and heavy metal as a founding member of Deep Purple in 1968. His work with the band, including seminal albums like In Rock (1970) and Machine Head (1972), sold millions and earned him a 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. After departing Deep Purple in 1975, he formed Rainbow, blending rock with baroque elements for hits like "Since You Been Gone," before shifting to the Renaissance folk-rock of Blackmore's Night in 1997 with his wife Candice Night. Often called one of the greatest guitarists ever by outlets like Guitar World and Rolling Stone, Blackmore's influence extends to neoclassical metal pioneers like Yngwie Malmsteen and Randy Rhoads, though his reputation as a moody maverick has sparked band drama.

Interesting Facts:

• Blackmore got his first guitar at age 11 from his father, on the condition he takes a year of classical lessons; he was initially inspired by skiffle artist Tommy Steele and later session guitarist Big Jim Sullivan.
• He suggested "Deep Purple" as the band's name in 1968, inspired by his grandmother's favourite song by the same title (a 1930s jazz standard).
• At 15, he dropped out of school to apprentice as a radio mechanic at Heathrow Airport while honing his electric guitar skills.
• Known for his volatile personality, Blackmore once smashed a photographer's camera with his guitar and set his amp ablaze onstage in 1974, contributing to his "Man in Black" nickname for his dark attire and brooding demeanour.
• One of the first rockers to scallop his Fender Stratocaster's fretboard for faster playing, he also added a quirky strap lock to the headstock of his 1974 Olympic white model as a "conversation piece."
• A lifelong fan of Renaissance and medieval music, he studied cello in 1974 to compose more freely, and later built his entire Blackmore's Night career around folk tunes from that era.
• Married four times, including a 15-year engagement to Candice Night (wed in 2008), with whom he has two children; he's fluent in German from prior marriages and resides in the U.S.