Fire in the Sky
The emotional performance marked the first time the estranged bandmates had appeared in public together in 33 years
A moment that Deep Purple fans have waited 33 years took place near the end of the band’s set at Jones Beach, New York on Wednesday evening when frontman Ian Gillan addressed the crowd.
“I’ve gotta say something,” he said. “A couple of days ago, I got a letter from this man saying, ‘I only live around the corner. Do you mind if I come and jam with you?’ And it was an absolute pleasure to have back onstage, the founder member, the great legend, the immortal, Ritchie Blackmore!”
As the crowd erupted and countless cellphones rose high into the air, the band kicked into “Smoke on the Water,” marking Blackmore’s first performance with the band since November 17, 1993. And despite all the subsequent bad blood and firm proclamations that they’d never reunite (even at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction), every member of the band beamed with joy. Gillan even sang part of the song with his arm around Blackmore’s shoulder.
