Is Deep Purple Reuniting With Ritchie Blackmore? Bassist Roger Glover Addresses Rumors

Will Deep Purple reunite with its one-time guitarist, Ritchie Blackmore?

Rumors have been emerging as Deep Purple gears up ahead of its major European tour, which will start in Solvesborg, Sweden, on June 8. Far from what the buzzes suggest, the band's bassist has since denied the claims.

Deep Purple Is NOT Reuniting With Ritchie Blackmore

Speaking with Rock Hard Greece, the Deep Purple bassist commented on the reunion rumors and said "not a chance" it would happen in the future.

"I mean, why on earth would we do that? I have the utmost regard for Ritchie as part of the band, and he was obviously an integral part of the band and what the band has become," Glover explained. "But that's moving backwards. We don't move backwards; we move forwards."

Blackmore co-founded Deep Purple but left the band in 1993. Steve Morse officially replaced him in 1994 and exceeded the original bassist's time by playing with the group for 28 years.

Deep Purple welcomed its third and newest guitarist, Simon McBride, in July 2022.

Fans have been waiting for a positive update regarding the potential reunion, especially during the band's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2016. At that time, Blackmore claimed he was blocked by the band's manager from attending the event and joining his former bandmates onstage.

Amid his absence, Deep Purple members gave him special shoutouts in their induction speeches. Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich also praised the guitarist as he inducted the band, saying he offered one of the most memorable guitar riffs of all time on "Smoke On The Water."

Will Deep Purple Retire Soon?

Elsewhere in the interview, the 77-year-old bassist answered the query about whether Deep Purple would soon announce its potential final show.

Per Glover, he does not like the idea of announcing the last show. Instead, he offered an ideal ending wherein the members just continue performing until they stop naturally.

He also expressed his desire to play more shows until one of the members dies or becomes seriously ill.

Deep Purple's 2023 tour will end on July 22 in Zvolenska Slatina, Slovakia. The band has not discussed what it will do next after the shows.

READ MORE: Tina Turner Survived Health Issues, Sons' Deaths With the Help of This Person