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Riffs, tiffs and raves
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Ritchie Blackmore made more news with his maverick attitude than with his guitar
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Born Richard Hugh Blackmore at Weston Super Mare in England, he was already exploring the classical guitar at age 11 before shifting to rock as a teenager. His musical career took wing with Mike Dee and The Jaywalkers. He then joined Screaming Lord Sutch and his Savages but quit in a few months for the Outlaws, primarily an instrumental outfit.
His guitar prowess had attracted attention by then and in 1968 Blackmore was among the founders of Deep Purple. The British band soon became a household name in heavy metal, his stature adding to its allure. Sadly, interpersonal relationships didn't figure in his priorities, as mates found him arrogant, even cantankerous.
His exit came in 1975, which also marked his entry to Elf, a New York band that had opened often for Deep Purple in the past. The group was then renamed Rainbow and was called Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow. His reputation repelled but also drew stalwarts such as Ronnie James Dio, who replaced Ozzy Ozbourne in Black Sabbath subsequently.
His opening offering, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow in the first year of formation and Rainbow Rising soon after, were well received critically and commercially. Following the enrolment of ex-Purple bassist Roger Glover and vocalist Joe Lynn Turner in 1979, Rainbow lit up the sky with a string of hits. Difficult to Cure in 1981 became the band's most successful act, making waves in lands as distant as Japan. In the quest for a dream combo, he sacked guitarists in quick succession, rocking the group. A Purple reunion in 1984 was welcome respite from the bickering. Differences with Gillan surfaced once more and a decade after the legendary team had regrouped, Blackmore left.
In 1997, he formed Blackmore's Night, that served his interest in exploring medieval music. The 1998 release, Shadow of the moon, featured famed flautist Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. Blackmore's standing in the rock pantheon is unquestioned as heavy metal groups derive their influences from him to this day.
A. GEORGE ANTONY
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