Deep Purple guitarist Simon McBride defended Ritchie Blackmore after online commentators criticized Blackmore’s guitar performance during his guest appearance with the band.
Blackmore joined Deep Purple on stage on August 12 at Jones Beach Theater in New York, playing “Smoke on the Water” alongside the band for the first time in 33 years.
McBride, who took over lead guitar duties for Deep Purple in 2022, noted that listeners should consider Blackmore’s physical condition and age.
“He has health issues. If I can play that well when I’m that age, I’ll be happy.” He added, “People should look at it for what it was: a magical night. There’s a lot of history in this band. That show was a part of it. A reunion between old mates who haven’t seen each other in years.”
McBride reaffirmed his admiration for the guitar icon, “Ritchie is and always will be a great player.”
The guest appearance came together on short notice. McBride explained that Blackmore sent an email to singer Ian Gillan roughly one week prior to the concert to propose the idea. During the show, McBride offered Blackmore the primary spotlight.
“I just said to Ritchie, ‘I’ll be your rhythm guitar player today. Just do your thing.’” McBride described playing next to Blackmore as a memorable moment in his career. “I got to stand on stage beside the guy who started this whole thing. Ritchie is a legend, a great player, and a great innovator.”
He also expressed surprise at Blackmore’s kind words toward him. “He was really complimentary, which was a shock to me. It’s very bizarre when these legends admire my playing. My head starts to explode!”
McBride emphasized that the show helped resolve long-standing tensions between the original members. “There’s a lot of history, and not all good. But they are older and wiser… it was great to see them close the door on all the negative history.”
Blackmore founded Deep Purple in 1968 and departed the group permanently in 1993, following years of personal conflicts with Gillan. Following the New York performance, Blackmore explained that technical accuracy was secondary to reconnecting with his former bandmates.
“I wasn’t there to be playing correct notes. I was there to see old friends I hadn’t seen in 40 years.” He commented on the emotional impact of the reunion, “I was there to heal any wounds — but there weren’t any wounds.”
Blackmore acknowledged making mistakes during the song, but emphasized the personal importance of the evening. “We’re all getting older. I think we realized it could be the last time we see each other maybe.”
McBride said that the performance was an emotional milestone and reunion for the musicians rather than a standard concert appearance.
