RITCHIE BLACKMORE, the legendary guitarist and co-founder of DEEP PURPLE, has revealed that he is scaling back his touring activity, citing a combination of health problems and a deepening aversion to travel. The iconic musician, now 81 years old, spoke candidly about the physical toll of life on the road.
"It's time to kind of pull back on touring. I do not like traveling anymore," Blackmore said. His reasons are numerous and serious. Last November, while on tour, he suffered a severe bout of vertigo that he described as "the worst thing I've ever been involved with." Beyond that, Blackmore has battled a travel phobia since childhood — a condition exacerbated by the demands of international touring at his age.
The health complications don't end there. In 2023, Blackmore suffered a heart attack, requiring the implantation of six stents, as confirmed by his wife Candice Night. He has also dealt with chronic gout and persistent back and neck issues that make extensive travel increasingly untenable.
Rather than retire from performing entirely, Blackmore expressed a preference for playing shows within a 30-40 mile radius of his Long Island home, allowing him to continue making music without the physical hardship of global touring.
Blackmore co-founded DEEP PURPLE in 1968, helping forge one of hard rock's most enduring and influential bands. He parted ways with the group in 1993 and has not performed with them since. He has continued recording and performing through BLACKMORE'S NIGHT, the Renaissance-influenced acoustic project he created with wife Candice, as well as occasional RAINBOW reunions.
At 81, RITCHIE BLACKMORE's place in rock history is unassailable — his work on classics like "Smoke on the Water" and "Highway Star" will echo for centuries.