Biography for
Ritchie Blackmore More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

14 April 1945, Weston Super Mare, England, UK

Birth Name

Richard Hugh Blackmore

Height

5' 10½" (1.79 m)

Spouse

Candice Night	(October 2008 - present) 1 child
Amy Rothman	(May 1981 - 1987) (divorced)
Barbie Hardie	(16 September 1969 - ?) (divorced)
Margrit Volkmar	(18 May 1964 - 1969) (divorced) 1 child

Trade Mark

Fender Stratocaster

Long Guitar Solos

Trivia

Former lead guitarist for Deep Purple

Known for playing a Fender Strat.

Voted the South West's joint best guitarist with Matt Bellamy in Total Guitar Magazine's poll of the greatest 12 British guitarists. [July 2001]

Readers of Total Guitar Magazine voted his riff for "Smoke on the Water" the fourth greatest guitar riff ever. [June 2004]

Starting with the Gillan-era Deep Purple studio albums, Blackmore essentially gained creative control in the band. As such, they shifted away from the artsy, classical- fusion rock and more toward straightforward hard rock.

His last album with Deep Purple was The Battle Rages On. For the tour that followed, prior to Steve Morse joining the band, Joe Satriani filled Blackmore's then- vacant position.

Only Rainbow member to appear on every album.

Currently plays in the medieval-style group, Blackmore's Night.

Founder of Rainbow, the legendary classic hard rock group.

He met Ronnie James Dio in the early 70s when Dio's band Elf served as Deep Purple's opening act. When Blackmore left Purple in 1975, he formed Rainbow around the Elf lineup, minus their guitarist. After the first album, "Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow," was released, Blackmore fired everybody except Dio. Dio eventually left the band in 1979, to replace Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath.

Lives with his wife Candace on Long Island, New York.

Portrayed by actor Mathew Baynton in the 2008 Joe Meek movie biopic Telstar.

Began his recording career in 1961 with Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers, however their Decca record 'My Blue Heaven' did not get a release. He then became an underpaid yet overworked session musician for Joe Meek and his own RGM label, appearing on countless records between 1963-1966.

Personal Quotes

Combing my hair doesn't make me a better musician.

Our main audience is about eighteen years old. People that age don't really understand music that much... If they were really that musically hip, they wouldn't even like us.

Where Are They Now

Records classical based rock with his solo group.