Ritchie Blackmore

Ritchie Blackmore
Blackmore performing in 2017
Background information
Also known asThe Man in Black
Born
Richard Hugh Blackmore

(1945-04-14) 14 April 1945
OriginHeston, Middlesex, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
InstrumentsGuitar
Years active1960–present
Member ofBlackmore's Night
Formerly ofRainbow, Deep Purple
Spouses
Margit Volkmar
(m. 1964; div. 1969)
Bärbel
(m. 1969; div. 1971)
Amy Rothman
(m. 1981; div. 1983)
(m. 2008)
Websiteblackmoresnight.com

Richard Hugh Blackmore (born 14 April 1945) is an English guitarist, who was a co-founding member of Deep Purple, and was a founding member of Rainbow and Blackmore's Night. In the 1960s, he began his professional career in bands such as the Outlaws, and backed session guitarist in such as singers Glenda Collins, Heinz, Screaming Lord Sutch, Neil Christian, and others. Blackmore has been known for playing both classically influenced and blues-based solos. He is cited by publications such as Guitar World and Rolling Stone as one of the greatest and most influential guitar players of all time. As one of former members of Deep Purple, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2016.