# Ritchie Blackmore reunion with Deep Purple

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ritchie-blackmore-reunion-with-deep-purple
> Updated: 2026-08-23T12:01:49.000Z. Sources: 44. Developments: 3.

Guitarist and Deep Purple co-founder Ritchie Blackmore reunited with the band on stage at the Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York, on August 12. This performance marked his first appearance with the group in 33 years, following his departure in 1993.

Blackmore, 81, joined the band during an encore to perform the song ‘Smoke on the Water’ on his Fender Stratocaster. The appearance was facilitated by Blackmore reaching out to frontman Ian Gillan to ask if he could join for ‘old times’ sake’ and to demonstrate to fans that there was no lingering animosity between members. The performance included several members of the band’s Mark II lineup, such as Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, and Ian Paice.

Gillan described the appearance as a pleasure, introducing Blackmore as an ‘immortal founding member’ and a ‘great legend.’ Reflecting on the emotional nature of the event, Blackmore noted that he prioritized the symbolic importance of seeing old friends over technical perfection, remarking, ‘I think we realized it could be the last time we would see each other, perhaps.’

## Timeline

### 2026-08-23: Ritchie Blackmore reunites with Deep Purple for surprise performance

Ritchie Blackmore reunited with Deep Purple on August 12 in New York, performing “Smoke on the Water” for the first time in over three decades to mend long-standing tensions with bandmates.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ritchie-blackmore-reunites-with-deep-purple-for-surprise-performance

### 2026-08-14: Ritchie Blackmore reunites with Deep Purple on stage

Ritchie Blackmore reunited with Deep Purple at Jones Beach in New York, performing “Smoke on the Water” with the band for the first time in over 30 years.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ritchie-blackmore-reunites-with-deep-purple-on-stage

### 2026-08-12: Ritchie Blackmore reunites with Deep Purple for first time in 33 years

Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore reunited with Deep Purple on stage in New York for the first time in 33 years, performing “Smoke on the Water” during an encore.

37 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ritchie-blackmore-to-reunite-with-deep-purple-for-first-performance-since-1993

---
Cite as: Ritchie Blackmore reunion with Deep Purple. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ritchie-blackmore-reunion-with-deep-purple