As Deep Purple’s guitarist, Ritchie Blackmore has earned more rights than most to comment on the works of others. Without him, the rock and metal genres would be very different than they are today, as would guitar playing ability.
Blackmore gave Deep Purple an edge and the sharp tip of the spear cemented their place as a founding father of heavy metal. It was on classic tracks such as ‘Smoke on the Water‘, which features one of the most famous riffs of all time. Deep Purple was never the same without him due to his brilliance.
He arrived with his technically proficient and distinct sound. It includes extensive use of the whammy bar. Blackmore inspired many subsequent players. It included Eddie Van Halen, who would take some of his key characteristics and run off into the distance with them. Following Van Halen’s death in 2020, the former Deep Purple member revealed that he believed Van Halen “reinvented the guitar,” which is high praise.
While Blackmore is effusive about the artists he admires, he is also not afraid to criticize those he dislikes. The Police, one of the most divisive new wave bands, discovered this in 1987 when Blackmore spoke with Metal Hammer. Sting’s band had split up the year before. ButBlackmore outlined his unfettered “hate” for them.
When asked if he had any doubts that Deep Purple’s 1984 reunion would work, Blackmore ripped into The Police. In response, he mentioned how the ‘Roxanne‘ group helped him realize that his band was on the right track. He said, “I believe it was during the first leg of the tour, in Australia. I suddenly realized there was a gap in the market for this type of music because only ZZ Top did it aggressively. Everyone was behaving like The Police. And can I say here that I despise the police?”
“There simply wasn’t a band playing that earthy type of rock. Ritchie Blackmore explained, “Our music isn’t contrived, and there’s no sheen of gloss.” He was then reminded of bassist Roger Glover’s statement that a band like Deep Purple will always exist because the world needs them. In response, he reiterated his hatred for Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland.
“It’s quite a profound statement, and Roger does not use drugs. Yeah, I guess so. That’s the type of promotional statement the record company will appreciate. Ritchie Blackmore concluded, “All I care about is that the world does not need The Police.”
