Very early days, nice hip work Ritchie!
Early days with Herr Hefner:
The legendary Mk II line up spreads its wings:
A well-oiled machine, but spiritually drained a few years later:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jp3de50_d8&feature=relatedRuling the world with Mk 3 at California Jam:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfzv3bf9-OY&feature=relatedWith Rainbow in 1977, introspective but masterful:
The AOR years (still a great solo):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9YP5X1FbUE&feature=relatedThe DP Reunion (actually the end of it, he would leave for the second and probably last time a few days after this particular gig, tearing up his Jap work permit and visa in spectacular fashion before the rest of DP before they were to embark on the Jap leg of the tour, they carried on with Joe Satriani before finding Steve Morse):
Back to Rainbow then:
But only as an interlude, as the heart rules the mind, enter Ms Candice Night and from there on Blackmore's Night:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQnXGT3CYzo&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ORjvW6z8cU&feature=relatedSo, does this have integrity or is he making himself laughing stock? Blackmore's Night has been going now for more than ten years, that is longer than Blackmore ever played with either Deep Purple (1968-75, 1984-93) or Rainbow (1975-83) in one stint. He's been offered millions for a DP reunion concert or a tour, likewise a Rainbow reunion tour, all turned down by someone who doesn't need the money and still has a healthy six digit check come in annually from the proceeds of Smoke on the Water alone. Your opinions please!
Uwe