- 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.
- 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)
- 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.
- 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.
- Former lead guitarist for Deep Purple
- Known for playing a Fender Strat.
- Readers of Total Guitar Magazine voted his riff for "Smoke on the Water" the fourth greatest guitar riff ever. (June 2004)
- 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.
- Records classical based rock with his solo group.
- Is known for being an intensely private man, seldom granting interviews.
- During the earliest stages of his career, Ritchie Blackmore worked for showman Lord Sutch.
- Is one of the founding members of hard rock band Deep Purple.
- Has a reputation for being rather difficult to work with. However, some musicians have disputed this.
- Had become unhappy with the change in the music of Deep Purple, which prompted Blackmore to leave the group in 1975.
- Recommended Tommy Bolin as his successor, for lead guitarist in Deep Purple.
- Left Deep Purple for the last time in 1993.
- Portrayed by actor Mathew Baynton in the 2008 Joe Meek movie biopic Telstar.
- As an example of his "moody" image, Ritchie Blackmore admitted that as a child he refused to smile for any photos.
- Admitted to being a rather surly child, refusing to smile for any photos taken.
- According to an interview in Metallian encyclopedia Ian Gillan considers them divorced.
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