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Guitar Legend Ritchie Blackmore Passes Away at 79 After Battle with Illness
April 30, 2025
Ritchie Blackmore, the virtuoso guitarist who helped define the sound of hard rock and heavy metal, has died at the age of 79. A founding member of the legendary bands Deep Purple and Rainbow, Blackmore’s death follows a period of declining health, though his family has not released an official cause.
Blackmore was born on April 14, 1945, in Weston-super-Mare, England. His career took off in the late 1960s when he co-founded Deep Purple, a band that became one of the pillars of classic rock. Known for his fiery solos and genre-defining riffs, Blackmore was the creative force behind timeless hits like “Smoke on the Water,” “Child in Time,” and “Burn.”
In 1975, he left Deep Purple to form Rainbow, where he further explored his blend of rock and classical influences. Throughout his career, Blackmore was known for his technical brilliance, stage presence, and uncompromising musical vision. In later years, he shifted his focus to the Renaissance-inspired group Blackmore’s Night, performing alongside his wife Candice Night.
Fans and fellow musicians around the world have expressed their grief and admiration. Brian May of Queen called him “a master of melody and precision,” while Metallica’s Kirk Hammett praised him as “one of the reasons I picked up a guitar in the first place.”
Despite health struggles in recent years, including joint problems that affected his playing, Blackmore continued to perform occasionally, reminding the world of his enduring talent and passion.
Ritchie Blackmore leaves behind a towering legacy in the world of rock music. His influence can be heard in countless guitarists across genres and generations. As the music world mourns, his work lives on in every powerful riff and haunting solo he gave
to the world.
