Why Ritchie Blackmore’s Deep Purple Reunion Moved Fans to Tears

Why Ritchie Blackmore’s Deep Purple Reunion Moved Fans to Tears

Author: Phil Aston August 13, 2026 Duration: 14:11

Ritchie Blackmore has performed with Deep Purple for the first time since 1993, joining the band at Jones Beach in New York for an unforgettable version of “Smoke on the Water.”In this video, I share my emotional response to those extraordinary six minutes—not simply the notes Ritchie played, but the smiles, affection and very human interaction between him, Ian Gillan and the rest of Deep Purple.This was not about recreating the past. Neither Ritchie Blackmore nor Deep Purple has anything left to prove. It was about old musical brothers putting their differences aside while there was still time and allowing the music to bring them together again.I also pay tribute to Candice Night, Simon McBride and everyone who helped make this remarkable moment possible.Music is the healer and the doctor.What did this reunion mean to you? Did you ever believe that we would see Ritchie Blackmore sharing a stage with Deep Purple again? Please share your thoughts and memories in the comments.

Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

https://nowspinning.co.uk


Phil Aston brings the pages of Now Spinning Music Magazine-Artist Interviews and Music Reviews to life in this audio companion. Here, the focus remains firmly on the music itself and the artists who create it, championing a tangible connection to sound that goes beyond digital streams. Each episode delves into thoughtful conversations with musicians, exploring their creative processes and the stories behind their work. Alongside these interviews, you’ll find candid reviews of new releases and classic albums, all approached with an independent and honest perspective that values every format, from cherished vinyl records and CDs to elaborate box sets. This podcast extends the magazine’s global community, creating a space for enthusiasts of every genre and era. It’s for anyone who appreciates the artistry of an album as a complete physical object, not just a collection of tracks. Tune in for a deeply engaged discussion about music culture, where the passion for the material item and the music it contains is always at the forefront.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 50

Now Spinning Music Magazine - Artist Interviews and Music Reviews
Podcast Episodes
How Music Helps People With Dementia - Podcast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:49
In this special Now Spinning Magazine conversation, I talk to Amy Shackleton and Lizzie Hoskin from Music for Dementia about practical, hopeful ways to reconnect people living with dementia — and their carers — to the mu…
Steve Morse Interview : on Loss, Hope and Instrumental Storytelling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:19
Steve Morse Interview : on Loss, Hope and Instrumental StorytellingTaken by an Angel: Steve Morse on Loss, Hope and Instrumental StorytellingIn this episode of the Now Spinning Magazine podcast, I sit down with legendary…
Seven Decades of Deep Purple with Martin Popoff - Podcast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:42
Seven Decades of Deep PurpleJoin me, Phil Aston, for a heartfelt conversation with music writer Martin Popoff, as we explore his monumental new book Seven Decades of Deep Purple — a 640-page celebration of every era of t…
Mariusz Duda Interview : From Riverside to Lunatic Soul [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:56
“Lunatic Soul was never the ‘bassist’s side project’. It’s the composer’s project—the place I can be completely free.” Mariusz DudaThere aren’t many artists who can glide between rock, ambient, electronic and filmic soun…
Prince: A Sign O’ The Times — An Interview with John McKie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:49
Prince: A Sign O’ The Times — An Interview with John McKie“I spoke to 220 people. I still wanted more—Prince is bottomless.” — John McKieIn this episode, I’m joined by John McKie, acclaimed music writer and former editor…
From Gentle Giant to Bon Jovi - Derek Shulman Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:36
Derek Shulman: Giant Steps - Exclusive Interview An in depth interview with Derek Shulman—Gentle Giant founder and the executive who helped power Bon Jovi, Pantera, AC/DC, Dream Theater, Slipknot and more. I discuss his…