Ritchie Blackmore turns 80 on April 14, although the founding Deep Purple guitarist remains quite active with Blackmore’s Night, the neo-medieval folk-rock band he’s led with his wife, singer Candice Night, since 1997.
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That being said, Night revealed in a recent video interview that Blackmore has been experiencing some serious health issues.
During a video chat with the U.K.-based TotalRock radio station posted online on April 2, Night was asked whether Blackmore’s Night had any upcoming touring plans and, if so, would the band be visiting the U.K.
Candice pointed out that the group had a series of upcoming springtime shows scheduled in the Northeastern U.S., where she and Blackmore live. Regarding a possible U.K. tour, though, she explained that her husband was under doctor’s orders not to fly anywhere.
“As far as flying anywhere, right now Ritchie has actually been told by his cardiologist not to get in a plane,” Night reported. She then offered a disconcerting update about Blackmore’s health: “He had a heart attack about a year and a half ago. He’s got six stents.”
Candice then noted, “I can’t believe he’s gonna be 80 on April 14th, which is crazy. … [He] doesn’t look it, still doesn’t act it, but eventually medical things wind up catching up with you. So we’ve got to make sure we keep him happy and healthy.”
She also pointed out that Blackmore is “dealing with gout and some arthritic things, and that “his back has … been an issue for years.”
Returning to his cardiologist’s directive not to travel by plane, Night said, “[H]opefully we’ll get that all straightened out and that’ll change. … I’ll let you guys know if it does.”
Night Talked More About Blackmore’s Health
Regarding Blackmore continuing to play shows, Night told TotalRock, “[I]t’s getting harder for him—it’s tricky—but, hey, I’ve seen people younger than him in wheelchairs on stage doing what they do. So I think he probably doesn’t want people to see him that way.”
She continued, “I see the other perspective, from a fan’s perspective, I would think people would just be happy to be under the same roof with him and listen to him play whatever he comes up with. So, we kind of have this discussion, or argument—I’ll say discussion—all the time.”
Blackmore Appears on Night’s Upcoming Solo Album
Night’s interview with TotalRock mainly focused on her upcoming solo album, Sea Glass, which will be released on April 25.
Blackmore plays guitar on two songs on the album, the title track and “The Last Goodbye.” The latter tune has been issued as the second advance single from Sea Glass. You can check out a music video for “The Last Goodbye” at the earMUSIC label’s YouTube channel.
Sea Glass can be pre-ordered now.
More About Blackmore’s Night’s 2025 Performance Plans
Blackmore’s Night currently has six concerts scheduled in the coming weeks. The group’s itinerary runs from an April 10 show in Greenwich, Rhode Island, through a May 3 performance in Bethel, New York. The other concerts will be held in venues in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Upstate New York.
[Buy Blackmore’s Night Concert Tickets]
Blackmore and Night reside in Port Jefferson, New York, on Long Island.
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