RITCHIE BLACKMORE Undergoes Surgery

March 1, 2016

Legendary hard rock guitar pioneer Ritchie Blackmore (RAINBOW, DEEP PURPLE) underwent an operation in February due to an excess of uric acid buildup in his finger joint. He will be unable to play for about a month but this will have no effect on the upcoming shows this summer.

The pictures below show Ritchie after the operation.

Blackmore told "Rich Davenport's Rock Show" last year about the future of BLACKMORE'S NIGHT, the medieval/renaissance group he formed in 1997 with his now-wife Candice Night: "I think the biggest enemy is things like arthritis, which is creeping up on me in my hands, so I have to combat that. And, of course, when you get to my age, you start thinking that we can kind of play anything."

DEEP PURPLE singer Ian Gillan last month defended the band's decision to only perform with the group's current lineup at the upcoming Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction, explaining that "there is no slight intended nor any desire to upset anyone" with this move.

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony seemed like a rare opportunity for DEEP PURPLE to reunite with Blackmore, who wrote many of the band's most memorable riffs, including "Smoke on the Water", but hasn't played with the group since 1993.

But Gillan has since confirmed that no such reunion will take place, saying that only "the living breathing DEEP PURPLE" will play at the event, which will take place on April 8 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The DEEP PURPLE members that are being inducted are: Ritchie Blackmore, David Coverdale, Rod Evans, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Glenn Hughes, Jon Lord and Ian Paice.

HBO will air this year's ceremony on April 30.

Blackmore will perform RAINBOW and DEEP PURPLE material at three shows this year in Europe. The U.K. concert will take place on Saturday, June 25 at the Genting Arena in Birmingham. The performance will be Blackmore's first U.K. rock show in over 20 years. The two concerts in Germany will take place at the Monsters Of Rock festival on Friday, June 17 at Freilichtbühne in Loreley and on Saturday, June 18 at Festplatz am Viadukt in Bietigheim-Bissingen.

Ritchie recuperating after his finger operation
Posted by Ritchie Blackmore Official Site on Monday, February 29, 2016

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