Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan is planning to take a cue from KISS should Deep Purple ever get inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – because he refuses to play with former guitarist Ritchie Blackmore.
KISS founders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons pulled out of a Hall of Fame set in April (14) after they were informed that current bandmates Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer would not be honored alongside former colleagues Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, and singer Gillan insists he’ll follow their example if Blackmore’s replacement, Steve Morse, isn’t included in what many fans think is a long overdue induction.
Gillan says, “It would be unconscionable to think about bringing Ritchie in. I don’t have an issue with Ritchie, nor does anyone. I’ve been in touch with Ritchie recently and everything’s cool, so there’s no bitter, personal problem. We’re too old for that and everything’s in the past, but no. That would be out of the question. This is the longest that any lineup has ever been together in this band.”
Blackmore left Deep Purple in 1993 and Morse has been the band’s guitarist ever since.
source: WENN via Contactmusic
66 Responses
Mark 1 lineup actually had a couple of hits and were on THREE albums. By RRHoF rules, Simper and Evans would have to be included. Of course Blackmore and Lord would be inducted, but Jon is gone, and Ritchie probably wouldn’t show up. Morse has been on 5 albums, the last one was the most successful DP album since at least House of Blue Light if not Perfect Strangers. Steve should be inducted. Definitely Glenn and David need to be inducted. As far as a jam? I doubt it would happen. Would Ian share the stage with Coverdale and Hughes for a jam of Highway Star or Smoke? I doubt it. Would Steve play any Mark 3 songs? Too many factors. I suppose that’s why RJD was excluded when Sabbath was inducted.
Blackmore plays circles around Morse.
Deep Purple does indeed deserve induction but I’m floored that no one ever mentions the fact that Ronnie James Dio hasn’t been mentioned in any discussion about the RARHOF although it is more than a lame joke in my opinion. Look at RJD’s career and all his songs and bands. To me this guy was/is heavy metal. Just an observation. Hall of Fame and Rolling Crap magazine suck anyway. Has never influenced my music likes one way or another. Peace out!
Jann Wenner sucks.
In my view, Ritchie Blackmore IS the RRHOF!
What did the RRFOF do for rock? Who are they to validate anyone? Deep Purple and others validated themselves already. The RRHOF should not be recognised.
With Blackmore discovering all the talent he has like Coverdale, Hughes, Dio, Bain, Powell, Daisley, Bonnet, Rondinelli, Turner, White, and even Lynott prior to the Mk III lineup (even though nothing came of it) speaks volumes. And then you’ve got his HUGE influence….
Blackmore’s got every right to follow his passion and play in an outfit like Blackmore’s Night, rather than just do the obvious thing. That’s what I love about him, and he’s earned it…