Legendary Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore Faces Health Crisis: Touring Future Uncertain
Deep Purple’s founding guitarist Ritchie Blackmore has put his career on pause following a serious heart attack, according to his wife Candice Night.
In a recent interview, Night revealed that Blackmore suffered a heart attack in 2023 and now faces significant travel restrictions. “Ritchie has actually been told by his cardiologist not to get in a plane”, Night said. “He had a heart attack about a year and a half ago. He’s got six stents.”
Multiple health issues
The 79-year-old rock legend is dealing with multiple health issues, writes NJ.com, including gout, arthritis, and a persistent back injury that have complicated his recovery.
“I can’t believe he’s gonna be 80 on Apr. 14th – which is crazy”, Night said. “He doesn’t look it, still doesn’t act it. But eventually medical things wind up catching up with you.”
Hopeful
Despite these challenges, Night remains hopeful about her husband’s future, though European touring seems unlikely for now. The couple has been married since 2008 and performs together in their folk rock band Blackmore’s Night, which they formed in 1997.
Blackmore first gained fame as Deep Purple’s lead guitarist, playing with the iconic rock band during two periods: from 1968 to 1975 and again from 1984 to 1993.
