Ritchie Blackmore’s long-awaited Deep Purple reunion became something far more meaningful than a surprise encore. At 81, the founding guitarist walked onto the stage at Jones Beach Theater with his yellow Fender Stratocaster and reunited with Ian Gillan and the band for the first time since 1993 — then played the 1972 classic that remains one of the defining songs of Blackmore’s era with Deep Purple

Ritchie Blackmore Reunites With Deep Purple After 33 Years — And Plays ‘Smoke on the Water’ Once Again

Ritchie Blackmore (Image credit: Getty Images)

For the first time in 33 years, Ritchie Blackmore stepped back onto the stage with Deep Purple — and the legendary guitarist chose the song that perhaps best captures his place in the band’s history.

At Jones Beach Theater near Blackmore’s home on Long Island, the 81-year-old guitarist emerged from the side of the stage carrying his familiar yellow Fender Stratocaster. The crowd erupted as he joined Deep Purple for an encore performance of “Smoke on the Water,” the iconic 1972 hit from the Blackmore era.

After the performance, singer Ian Gillan welcomed his former bandmate back to the stage, calling him a founding member, a legend and an “immortal” before joking that he would see him at the bar.

The reunion marked a remarkable moment for one of rock’s most celebrated guitarists.

Blackmore kept the reunion secret

The surprise appearance had actually been revealed only a day earlier.

During an Instagram Live session with his wife, Candice Night, on August 11, Blackmore hinted that he was planning to join Deep Purple for an encore.

“I’ll probably get up and do an encore with the band, Deep Purple,” he said, while acknowledging that the appearance was supposed to remain a secret.

Blackmore explained that he had approached Gillan himself with the idea.

He asked whether Gillan would be comfortable with him coming on stage for just one song, stressing that he did not want to intrude and suggesting they do it simply “for old times’ sake.”

Gillan reportedly liked the idea, brought it to the rest of the band and received their approval.

And on the night, the plan became reality.

A return to rock after years away

The Jones Beach performance was Blackmore’s first appearance with Deep Purple since 1993.

It was also his first return to rock music since he revived Rainbow in 2016 for a series of concerts that continued through 2019.

For Blackmore, stepping back into the rock spotlight was not entirely comfortable.

He admitted beforehand that the performance would be “kind of frightening” because he rarely plays rock music these days.

Since 1997, his primary musical focus has been Blackmore’s Night, the Renaissance-inspired folk band he formed with Candice Night, his partner, vocalist and lyricist.

The group combines traditional medieval melodies with modern acoustic instrumentation — a very different musical world from the hard-rock sound of Deep Purple.

Blackmore prepared despite health challenges

There was also a physical challenge behind the reunion.

Blackmore’s Night abruptly cancelled its fall 2025 tour after he suffered from vertigo. He has also dealt with a heart issue, gout and four herniated disks in his lumbar region.

In preparation for his return to the Deep Purple stage, Blackmore revealed that he had received a lumbar injection just days before the performance.

He explained during the Instagram Live that the treatment allows him to stand in one place while playing because performing with a Stratocaster can be difficult on his shoulders and lower back.

Despite those concerns, Blackmore walked onto the Jones Beach stage, reunited with his former bandmates and played one of Deep Purple’s defining songs.

For fans, hearing that unmistakable guitar once again alongside Ian Gillan and Deep Purple made the long-awaited reunion all the more significant.