Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore plans to join Deep Purple for an encore during their August 12, 2026, concert at the Northwell at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York, marking their first live performance together since 1993 after Blackmore reached out directly to Ian Gillan.
For more than three decades, the hard rock world operated under a singular assumption: Ritchie Blackmore and Deep Purple were done for good. But late Tuesday night, August 11, 2026, during a live-streamed broadcast on Instagram alongside his wife and bandmate Candice Night, Blackmore revealed he had reached out to Ian Gillan to orchestrate a reunion on stage in New York.
The Bottom Line
- The Long Wait: This marks Blackmore’s first time sharing a stage with Deep Purple since he exited their European tour in November 1993.
- The Delivery Method: Blackmore announced the arrangement during an Instagram live stream, noting he messaged Gillan directly in Portugal.
- The Setlist Plan: Rather than a full reunion, Blackmore intends to make a brief appearance during the encore to play one or two tracks.
Breaking the Thirty-Year Deadlock in New York
The reunion is happening practically in Blackmore’s backyard. Residing locally on Long Island, New York, the guitarist has a short commute to the Northwell at Jones Beach Theater where Deep Purple is slated to perform as part of their SPLAT! World Tour. According to reports from Spark Rock Magazine, Blackmore’s roadie has already been instructed to prep a smaller amplifier, which he usually uses for recording, for the guest spot, bypassing the larger rig currently utilized by guitarist Simon McBride.
When Blackmore walked away from the band three decades ago, it triggered an era of media exchanges and separation. Blackmore noted during his broadcast stream that he approached the idea with zero pressure, framing it strictly out of nostalgia given his current age of 81. Gillan took the proposal to the rest of the band and received a green light.
Inside the Logistics of a Legendary Drop-In
Deep Purple is traversing international markets in support of their new album, Splat!. The addition of Blackmore, even restricted to a final-encore cameo, introduces a dynamic to a live show that has otherwise been anchored by McBride’s fretwork.
Beyond the New York date, Deep Purple’s itinerary includes a stop at Prague’s O2 arena on October 7, 2026.
| Metric / Milestone | Ritchie Blackmore Era (to 1993) | Current Era (2026 Live Routing) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Guitarist | Ritchie Blackmore | Simon McBride |
| Touring Support | Not specified | Supporting Splat! World Tour |
| Stage Collaboration | Not specified | Single Encore Cameo (Jones Beach) |
What This Means for the Hard Rock Landscape
While Blackmore has spent the last several decades focusing on Blackmore’s Night alongside Candice Night, his guitar work remains a part of hard rock.
Fans waiting outside the Jones Beach venue on Wednesday evening are expected to generate video content that will be available by Thursday morning.
