Ritchie Blackmore is set to rejoin Deep Purple for a live performance at the Jones Beach Theater in New York this Wednesday. This appearance marks his first time sharing a stage with the group since his departure in 1993. The guitarist confirmed the news via a video statement, noting that he reached out to frontman Ian Gillan to propose an encore appearance.
Blackmore, who co-wrote signature tracks like Smoke on the Water, has maintained a complicated relationship with his former bandmates for over three decades. His last tenure with the group ended abruptly in 1993 following tensions during a European tour. Since then, numerous attempts at a reunion remained unsuccessful, including a notable refusal from the band to perform alongside him during their 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Changes in perspective appear to have paved the way for this brief reunion. Blackmore, who recently recovered from a health incident in 2025, expressed a desire to reconnect with the band members. While he joked about the prospect of performing after years of focusing on acoustic projects, he acknowledged the skill of current guitarist Simon McBride.
Whether this performance serves as a permanent shift in the band's structure or remains a singular event, it stands as a significant moment in rock history. Fans awaiting the show at Jones Beach will see the founding member stand alongside the current lineup for what is expected to be a brief but memorable encore set.