Ritchie Blackmore : His 25 Greatest Guitar Moments - Chosen by Phil Aston Now Spinning Magazine

Ritchie Blackmore : His 25 Greatest Moments.
Get some snacks, pour yourself a drink and sit down as I count down from 25 to 1 and highlight why Ritchie Blackmore is a guitar genius.
Let me know what you would have chosen!
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Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

[@adriannairda2788]

Great rundown of Mr Blackmore's finest moments. But surprised that Gates Of Babylon wasn't one of them. The solo, in my humble opinion, is simply sublime and the best Mr Blackmore has committed to vinyl, (or CD, cassette, etc). Blows me away every time I hear it.

[@giorgiorinaldi3535]

BEST.ROCK.GUITARIST.EVER.

[@rolandconnor575]

Hi Phil, my favorite review of favorite Guitarist. Yes, I was long time friends with Black Sabbath Personnel manager, Mark Forster from 1975 until his passing in 1992. Mark knew everyone in the business, highly respected and when he discovered my fancy for Ritchie and an upcoming tour in my part of the country in told me to drop the names Colin Hart and Raymond D'Addario (stage manager for Rainbow) That got me in back stage and a meeting with Ritchie. I was 23. Another tour and he said he "remembered my face'. that was good enough. The 1985 reunion tour Colin got me in and hand delivered a manuscript I wrote about my travels with Sabbath with Blackmore getting a chapter for himself. I emailed this to Carole Stevens, Candice's mother and current manage many years ago. But it is a first draft and won't be a book until future. Of Ritchie's brilliance is his live impromptu creativity, the true measure of his ability. How much have you looked on you tube for Live performances? There are many. Of note, a person called "Mr Peach" recorded many Rainbow shows in the late 70s, some of the Catch the Rainbow solos are out of this world. But of all the dramatic wild sounds I have heard from him, listen to the few couple of minutes of Still I'm Sad Atlanta 1978 live, and the opening of Mistreated Live in Louisville 1978. I was at the Atlanta show. So much to write, but I appreciate you being there as a sounding board and knowing that what I have witnessed over the decades really did happen! Malmsteen might be faster, Jan Akkerman may be more versatile, but overall, Ritchie is the Best.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Best comment ever! Thank you so much for watching and sharing your experiences and memories. I really appreciate it and I am humbled that you liked this. I can only imagine what it was like to meet him like you did. - Phil :)

[@rolandconnor575]

@@NowSpinningMagazine I just joined as a member Phil! Can I email you some photos of me and Ritchie?

[@hartmutpeter215]

Hi Phil, now the album Burn by DP is 50years old and for my money it is a perfect release and it deserves a special honoring. The die hard collector's are needing a strictly limited super deluxe edition with many bonus material and more second and third takes. Since 10years in my dreams there is a large Burn box with five candles made of wax with the heads of the musicians, just as they looked virginal on the front cover. Sometimes dreams can come true. Ritchie never plays a solo twice .Every soloing is different and unique and it shows his awesome talent and virtuosity. The man in black merges with the Strat. Phil by the way your picks of 25 soloing moments are fantastic. Most notably of course A'200.

[@vincentbrightling1686]

Lovely to see A200 included. Hardly anyone else recognises Blackmore’s brilliance here. It also has one of Paice’s finest drum breaks.

[@americathisweek.6077]

Bent out of shape is so underrated. Love all eras of Rainbow 🌈

[@80sRockHead]

I only saw Ritchie live once and that was the Slaves Masters tour. He was great. Alot of great riffs on the underrated Slaves and Masters album.

[@LuisGarcia-ee2tr]

Calling it a great show is an understatement. This video is MONUMENTAL. Thank you Phil!!!!

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Wow, thank you!

[@bernardmaasdijk734]

Amazing how many of my favourites you picked: Snowman, Spanish Archer, Pictures of Home, Fools, Flight of the Rat, a big chunk of Made in Japan, the usual suspects from Rising. You almost knocked it out of the park. And then you omitted Gates of Babylon. There was a moment I thought GoB was going to be number one. I will listen to it tomorrow when I'm alone. Crank it up to eleven.

[@Fritha71]

Ah, thank you, the complete absence of Gates of Babylon was the only thing that had my head... well, spinning in confusion, lol. It's my #1 favorite Rainbow song. But having Burn, my #1 Deep Purple song at the top made up for it quite a bit!

[@bernardmaasdijk734]

​@@Fritha71To be fair, while listening to these lists I always get some idea in my head about what songs should be in it and I had forgotten all about Burn.

[@dargbarnett]

I am surprised that the outro solo on Since You've Been Gone didn't make the cut - sublime, melody and technique that was so Blackmore

[@gyulakovacs1334]

It is very nice to hear that you talking about Blackmore.

[@swede7160]

My Fav RB moment is Wasted Sunsets.Absolutely brilliant!

[@jonathanpearman1052]

Those +40 minutes just flew by! An excellent and enthusiastic showcasing of Blackmore's brilliance, versatility and sense of melody. Burn is the number one track and to me the pinnacle of his career. So glad A200 got its fair positioning, but honestly...you could have put every track from Burn in your list, or rather I would have! He is obviously up there as an all-time great guitarist but he is also the ultimate riff-master and killer riffs are the backbone of all great rock music. 'Nuff said!

[@trevorpugh6475]

That Ritchie run down was so much fun! What a super talented lead guitarist/songwriter he is, combining heavy riffs, soaring solo’s and now and again classical.. brilliant stuff. As to your top choices, Burn certainly has it all from a RB solo and composition pov, but for me Stargazer is the one, not just Ritchie B’s playing of course but a complete masterpiece…guitar, keyboard, vocal (!) and orchestration… to me the finest rock song ever written and performed, a true tour de force! Thank you Phil, I thoroughly enjoyed this video 👉😎

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you - Phil

[@cybot6]

That I have to say was the best 42 minutes and 45 seconds I’ve spent on KZbin. Thank you Phil for reminding me that I was young once and I did have all this wonderful music literally dictating my rite of passage. I absolutely loved your Weiss Heim B side story. I too did exactly the same thing on our local Roma cafe’s sadly long gone jukebox. Such amazing days of innocence and sheer joy as we downed the ubiquitous milk shakes and chips.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Wow, thanks 🙏 I really appreciate your kind words. Phil :)

[@franciskocher200]

Blackmore is amazing👍

[@ronniebridgett8425]

Another great video, Phil. My four favourite Ritchie Blackmore songs (guaranteed to give you a stroke played back-to-back, such is the adrenalin rush) are Burn, Stargazer, A Light In The Black and Kill The King. No other guitarist can reach these heights.

[@久保達哉-r3h]

I totally agree with you on Burn！ No Burn, No Life.

[@ChristinaM69]

Thanks again Phil for educating us in the world of Blackmore. Your list of Blackmore moments is amazing. I came to know his music later in my life. Speaking of instrumentals, I've come to love "Coronarius Redig". It's a bummer that it's not on the record. Happy Birthday Ritchie! Keep the music coming.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you 🙏

[@GregThomson-nb2tr]

Great video, very informative! I would have to add Catch the Rainbow from On Stage (Needs to be listened to on headphones.... ,what comes out of the left speaker is incredible , his best solo ever IMHO! Another track is Wasted Sunsets from Perfect Strangers, so much longing in that solo.....just brilliant!

[@wm.g6664]

Greg you are on point with both tunes. An argument could be made for your picks as #1 and #2. That version of Catch the Rainbow gives me chills every single time I hear it.

[@JonathanCallund]

What passionate and spontaneous stream of creative commentary, Phil. I’ve watched many of your excellent reviews and this is the best … yet…. I’m a ‘59 baby so, like you cut my teeth on In Rock and MIJ was the first ever cassette u ever owned - my Dad bought it for me in Elgin, when he came up to visit. I have literally everything by DP and RB. Keep up the great work and, yes, music is the healer!

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Hi Jonathan, thank you so much - Phil :)

[@jurgenmoritz8257]

Good choice out of the huge oeuvre of Ritchie. I absolutely agree to Still I'm sad, Why didn't Rosemary and Pictures of home because these are songs which seem to be a bit underrated against the more popular ones. One of my personal highlights from Ritchie/Rainbow is the Munich gig from 1977, this really has some magic to me... and Gates of Babylon and Wasted sunsets.....

[@luislorenzo7168]

Eyes of fire from “Straight between the eyes “, another jewel that never made it live, a song that it’s never mentioned, just by itself makes the album worth buying it. Another one “Why didn’t Rosemary” from Deep purple and Wasted sunsets from Perfect strangers.

[@TheZavlor]

BLACKMORE is as BLACKMORE does...so glad I saw him in his prime...LLRB!!!

[@TVtubeamps]

He’s the reason why I started playing guitar and became professional musician. Long live RB!!

[@TVtubeamps]

And this is great format, informative and gives great insight of chosen artist. Keep these coming!!

[@wm.g6664]

Catch the Rainbow from On Stage is #1 for me.

[@peterfredriksson1857]

The thing with Blackmore for me is that his solos are actually talking to me like no other rockguitarist been close to, except maybe David Gilmore and Steve Hacket. RBs uniqe ability to mix speed, energy and feel really does it for me. Regarding "You Fool No One" I'm very fond of the live version on "Made In Europe" mainly because of Glen Hughes bass playing behind Ritchie's solo. The bass tones "hanging" round Blackmore's slow solo is superb I think. Another great live moment is the long soloing om "Mandrake Root" on "Scandinavian Nights". Parts of that is just fantastic I believe.

[@danielmiller8694]

I really liked your choices and I completely agree with your description of Highway Star from Made In Japan. I have often said that the whole band are riding a musical bucking bronco, barely keeping control, always on the edge - fantastic!

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you 🙏

[@massimobaioni7410]

Amazing list and very competent comments. In my opinion, Gates of Babylon and Carry on Jon also deserve high positions. But Ritchie is a mine of musical gems, we know that. You have perfectly captured the desire of many of us for an instrumental album by Ritchie. Bravo!

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you - Phil :)

[@ricko3k]

Hi Phil, thankyou. Similar. I heard this awesome music coming from the 5th formers on the backseat of the Belgium school trip coach 1976, it was 24 Carat Purple and I was hooked. Shortly after I was told that RB "had another band now", shortly after I bought Rising when it came out and like you, that suspense and in awe of each track. I took it to school to be super cool, but as I entered the play ground I heard it blasting from the 5th form centre window at 8.45am. Some ####tard had stolen my thunder! Happy days. Funny you said how over the years, for you, Rainbow has risen up high through alot of his music, yes I agree, my most cherished album at 63 is Ritchie Blackmores Rainbow, what an absolute epic! And by an experimental line up, my fave line up in fact mki. Thankyou Phil 👍.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you for watching and sharing you memories - Phil

[@Dibbdroid]

Great video. It proves many things, not least, 25 greatest guitar moments of Ritchie Blackmore is nowhere near enough. Sharing with us your memories is a brilliant way to capture how exciting this music was first time and still is. Modern media is trying to brainwash people toward certain beliefs, these memoirs keep it fresh. I could ramble on about mine but I'll embrace yours. Maybe one day we will cross paths at a gig in the West Midlands and share a beer. ps. Made in Japan 3rd night Smoke on the Water. Makes me chuckle when I hear this version now because the video footage shows the riff "fluff" was deliberate

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you - Phil :)

[@electricladyguitarsdevonuk1414]

Phil, your passion (mutual) shared is our joy doubled! No No No is a Master class regarding several performances within. Jon Lord's ability to build and release tension is sublime! Child in time on the Powerhouse LP was pretty good! Keep doing!

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you 🙏

[@malcshone4409]

Great work there Phil mate. We can ( and do ) argue the toss about this solo or that riff being number 17 or number 8 or whatever, it really doesn’t matter in the end. What actually matters is the overall catalogue and repertoire of one if the greatest musicians we’ve had the privilege to hear and see. On a personal note, many thanks for including “ Hard Living Man” , it’s a monster!! Best wishes.

[@deepzepp4176]

Great video, Phil. One of my favourites, which is often overlooked, is Blackmores outro solo on Mistreated - studio version. I don’t think he's ever topped that solo in any of the live versions of Mistreated. It’s a masterclass of dynamics, and of building a solo to a crescendo.

[@michaelkarlsson5966]

Maybe at California Jam 74? :)

[@gavaxemanspins]

I’ve been playing these tracks in the car all week - great choices- most of which I’d completely forgotten about ! You do know your stuff ! ❤

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you 🙏

[@ianemery4355]

Ignored/overlooked a lot of times! But he is up there without doubt one of the greatest guitarists ever! Who never quite gets the recognition great video Phil! 👍

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you 🤩

[@JohnFiocchi]

Interesting video!! I always felt that Ritchie Blackmore was skilled and that his skill on guitar sounded sophisticated. I was a teenager in the 70s and studied classical guitar with my father. It was around this time that I heard Ritchie Blackmore and I could tell by the way he sounded that he probably studied classical guitar ...which...he says he did in his youth. He also had a bluesy style at times. Sometimes he could sound jazzy. In Lazy he combines the two. I believe there could be certain solos that he played in a very unusual sounding way or a unique way and where he has perfect finesse not unlike a virtuoso type of player...but with spontaneous playing....and it's possible that if you called Ritchie Blackmore out on that specific solo he might say: "I don't know what you're talking about" "I just do what I do " Some of his most outstanding solos came right off the top of his head. He's a total natural.

[@metalknight4388]

Great list Phil! did not expect any Blackmore's Night numbers to make the cut so that was a nice surprise, awesome T-shirt too 🤘🏻

[@BobbyBass-x6i]

Great t-shirt. Thanks for the video. The dark knight is one of the guitar greats. He’s created so many memorable guitar riffs. Rock on!

[@Romulus980]

Hi Phil! From one Ritchie Blackmore fan to another (you) many thanks for your interesting and thorough pick of RB moments. You bought to light some earlier tracks which I will add to my playlist. I was a little surprised you missed out Perfect Strangers track and what did you think of the album Slave and Masters...? Yes Steve Morses best solo for me was in Albert Hall with orchestra playing Pictures Of Home 🎸🎶

[@Anthony-ro4ek]

You could probably put at least 100 songs that are top quality Blackmore. Great song selection but was wondering where Gates of Babylon and Kill The King were? Anyway always a pleasure listening to you Phil👍. Also, I was at the 1993 Birmingham gig. I was 18 and travelled from Belfast to see my first Deep Purple/Blackmore gig. The experience was amazing but as you know the tension on stage was very apparent even though Ritchie's guitar sound was sublime

[@StevieBluenoseScott]

This is fantastic Phil, and I really mean fantastic. Thank you. 💙

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you 🙏

[@gavaxemanspins]

Another great video Phil - starting with the Snowman- brilliant choice - I’m gonna create a Spotify playlist of these selections and listen on my commute tomorrow

[@delorangeade]

Very enjoyable video. Ritchie will always be my favourite musician, I don't think any other guitar player has such a use of dynamics or range of expression on the instrument. Stargazer would be my top choice, but it's good to see Why Didn't Rosemary get a mention. I'm a little surprised one of the live versions of Catch the Rainbow didn't get a mention, but when you start to factor in live recordings, there are superb performances across the board. Lay Down, Stay Down is another I like a lot. A couple of people have mentioned Hold On, which is another favourite of mine. It's ironic that Blackmore recorded it in a throwaway moment, because he didn't think much of the track, and yet came up with something perfectly appropriate.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

I might have to do a part two !

[@HeavenlyAlbumCovers]

Phil...excellent rundown...you always include your own vivid personal experiences in relation to the music you present...this aspect of what you do is very much appreciated..thanks and keep the hits coming!

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you 🙏

[@rodcrispo5859]

My favorite Guitarist too!!!

[@nikos.baroutsakis]

Very knowledgeable video, glad you included Anya from 1993, which is in my opinion his greatest live solo!

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you 🙏

[@2010ditta]

Stargazer will always be no.1. Very enjoyable Phil, thank you.

[@jchapters]

Great work again! Blackmore is my favourite player and I love how passionate you are about his work.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you 🙏

[@patrickmichels7888]

Phil they did sell the candles probably 8 or 9 years ago. It was a limited run and costly. Can’t remember how much but I remember the guy who made the original ones selling them. Now I could be wrong. It’s been awhile. And thanks for the great content. You threw a number of tracks that are overlooked. I will have to check out the Tokyo version of strange kinda woman. You surprised me with why didn’t Rosemary? which is another underrated classic. Anyway keep up the great work!

[@julianirving9868]

Phil, thanks for the video. What a cracking playlist I shall create from your list on the iPod. Kind regards

[@ruinousinadequacies7655]

Awesome!!!

[@kenfrederick6223]

Phil, that was an amazing overview of some great Blackmore moments. Especially good to see "Spanish Archer", "Flight Of The Rat", and "Hard Lovin' Man" mentioned. All favorites of mine. Take Care! 🎸

[@john6904]

Good stuff Phil, I saw Purple at the Apollo Glasgow on the Burn tour supported by Elf ticket price £1.00 happy days

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Wonderful memories!

[@Fuxerz]

Thank you, Phil was an excellent review.

[@CutiePie-hh3gg]

His Rainbow stuff was brilliant

[@mikegalway4733]

Some great choices Phil. My list wouldn't have anything post '76 and would include Maybe I'm a Leo Machine Head, Catch the Rainbow On Stage, Place in line WDWTWA, The Mule Fireball, Hold on Stormbringer.✌️

[@johnnykawakid]

Great vid man. On the man in black. Remember seeing purple in Edinburgh 73 or 74. And was right at front of the gig. Standing 12 feet from the great man. Never ever forget it. Unbelievable. Remember it like yesterday.🎸👏

[@stevenjohnston2263]

An interesting selection. Obviously, I have a different list. His solo on Hey Joe virtually never gets a mention, which baffles me. There are so many other great solos. You put it well when you said they serve the song. That is more true of Blackmore than any other guitarist I can think of. His solos invariably make sense and are always melodic. Glad Spanish Archer got in there. Always been a favourite of mine. Also from that album is Black and White. Equally great solos.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you for watching! I’m off to listen to Hey Joe again now.

[@americathisweek.6077]

Watched to the end and agree. Would have Burn 2 and Stargazer number 1. But he’s been responsible for so many moments in time.

[@ingemarstenstrom2524]

I rememver, the first time i saw The Man In Black!! On the Difficult to Cure Tour!!! I am a fan, ever since !!!♠️🖤🖤🖤🤟……..

[@pgreed100]

Hi Phil, 'Burn' is a very apt choice as your Blackmore top moment as he and Deep Purple were on FIRE when this track was laid down! This was like all the sweet spots of everyone's ability, mood, creativity and energy all combined in those few minutes. Thanks for another great video. Best Wishes, Paul

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you for watching and commenting! Phil :)

[@Steven-ot2iy]

Brilliant! I might have changed the order slightly, but prefect choices Phil. I saw Ritchie 5 or 6 times from 1976 to 1984. He was by far the most exciting guitar player during that period of time.

[@chrismoyse3529]

Great list. I have a special place for Hold On. Great work Phil

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you - great track !

[@delorangeade]

I'm glad it's not just me who thinks the Hold On solo is great.

[@derekthompson1759]

Hi Phil. 42 minutes of pure joy to watch. A fantastic video. You have so much passion for your music. A couple of questions for you. 1) People often ask me "Out of all the gigs I went to, what was the best opener". Well I was at Monsters of Rock in 1980, and I think my fav opener ever was Rainbow. The Judy Garland bit then BANG so much light and power from Eyes of the World. Fantastic. 2) You have clearly seen Purple and Rainbow a number of times. How's your hearing as I am sure you never wore plugs in 1974. Cheers, Derek

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

My hearing is ok, about 4db loss in my left ear which is northing really and some intermittent tinnitus in very quiet rooms but considering what I put my ears in front of not bad!

[@briankellogg2751]

Very nice Phil! There's so many special moments to choose from. All the instrumentals that Rainbow did were amazing. I had "Anybody There" played at my wedding. At the tail end of the Bent Out of Shape tour I had the unique opportunity to have a couple of drinks at a table with Ritchie, Bruce Payne, and a young lady at the hotel bar in Northern California after a gig. Needless to say it was one of the most amazing experiences of my, at that time, 22 year old life. Always enjoy your postings - Cheers from Central California!

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you 🙏

[@domielakrabi3276]

Thank you Phil for this enjoyable 45 minutes! I can't argue with your top three picks. Stellar moments in rock history! I'm a huge Mk 3 (and 4) fan. These three albums are always ranked within my top 5 or 6 DP albums

[@andrewlongshaw2128]

Hi Phil. Great show. Saw Deep Purple on the Fireball tour, at the Freetrade Hall in Manchester. I have a fully autographed album from then. Later I saw Rainbow at the Liverpool Empire on their Rainbow Rising tour. Richie was phenomenal both times. Thank you for the music Richie.

[@MrMusic193]

Great video I have been listening to a lot of Richie Blackmore lately because I’ve been taking in all the Deep Purple live albums great stuff regarding the snowman when I went to check out that song off of bent out of shape it sounded awfully familiar and I realized that Celtic Woman put out a song called walking in the air, which I believe is the same song or has something to do with the snowman theme Both beautiful tracks

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you 🙏

[@edwardking4784]

Great list ! Blackmore is also my favorite guitarist , in fact been playing for 35 years + thanks to his royal Blackness 😀 I’d like to add a few of my favorite moments to your list … When A Blind Man Cries , his clean tone and beautiful note choices are sublime . Difficult to Cure Live in Tokyo in 84 with orchestra is incredible, love the improvised intro and the slide guitar playing classical music , I’ve never heard anyone else do that . Anyone’s Daughter on Come Hell or High Water , Mark Knopfler would be proud … too many to list !

[@edwardking4784]

I only got to see him live once , Blackmore’s Night did an acoustic version of Stargazer in Arlington Massachusetts ( just outside Boston ) have to add that as well … in fact the whole show was great !

[@michaelkarlsson5966]

Nice list! Many, many great moments on it! Thank you for sharing! Regarding "Smoke..." while I love the Made In Japan version I love the California Jam version even more. I mean, first Ritchie's intro so fluid and nice but at the same time on the verge of tensions. Then the solo... oh dear, such a great solo! It's even a eastern feel to it. What do you think of this version? Cheers! 🙂

[@DisciplinedCommotion]

Yep BLACKMORE! Pleased you picked out A200, no way that it is a filler track, one of my favourite moments are the 2 solo's on Blood Sucker, Gates of Babylon solo. Yep Light in the Black, I know this vids about RB but Tony Carey's solo is equally as good :) Great show BTW. Regards Tim.

[@lebethonii6683]

Well said

[@DBZ5371]

No Gates Of Babylon or Kill The King, Phil ? Often overlooked, but the Lazy background playing from Made In Japan is sublime.

[@FuturePast2019]

GoB is my favorite Rainbow recording (and last with Dio) ... and the end of hard-core Blackmore (LLRnR) Favorite Purple: All from Mahine Head Smoke HS and Lazy

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

They will be in part 2 !

[@DBZ5371]

@@NowSpinningMagazine Oh You never said this was Part One haha !!!

[@alanthorne3921]

Blackmore was my first rock guitar hero although there is an argument for Hank Marvin,Duane Eddy or Jose Feliciano!.But Made in Japan was my second album purchase after Slade Alive.Highway Star from that album just blew me away with the speed in the solo.Then came along Rainbow Rising ,enough said.Then I just love Blackmores Night.I love Hendrix,Page,Lifeson,Iommi,Trower,,Van Halen etc but Blackmore was first.

[@alanthorne3921]

And as you said Phil,Blackmore pulls you in with his soulful bending and technique just as Gilmour and Knopfler do.

[@ricko3k]

Isn't it funny, we're both massive fans but have different favourites lol. Some the same, but many different. Great vid though thankyou.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you 🙏

[@backyardrailroader]

I have many of Deep Purple and a few Rainbow albums. Yes, Albums. He always enjoyed his playing. Bought even import albums of Deep Purple

[@hulldanfan]

Simply the best !

[@torarauland7145]

Nice show Phil !!! Great albums

[@FromThe4thWall]

"Live in London" also contains the best version of "Burn" imo.

[@wazootube]

And to Mistreated!

[@darylholmes1362]

Pretty close to my choices but I would have had Catch the Rainbow from On Stage in my top 5.

[@gavaxemanspins]

I’ve just knocked up a Spotify playlist for this - save you all the work! is it ok to post the link here ? Had to change a couple of versions but it’s 90% accurate to Phil’s masterwork 🎉

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you, please go ahead - Phil :)

[@gavaxemanspins]

@@NowSpinningMagazine - have done - great video 🎉

[@EbyGuitares]

Great review. What about Maybe next time? Another amazing guitar work.

[@Codecutter]

Blackmore is most definitely the soundtrack of my life. My most played Blackmore track is Child in Time from Made in Japan. My favourite Blackmore song is Mistreated, my daughter and I went on a road trip and ranked all of the versions I have, at the time 22 distinct versions. My favourite Blackmore's Knight track is Fires at Midnight. My favourite album track is Stargazer/A Light in the Black, I only ever play them back to back, unless it's on you tube which doesn't really have a decent video of a light in the black. My favourite non Dio Rainbow track is Spotlight Kid, that track totally kicks ass, Eyes of the World and Gates of Babylon are also glorious.

[@isaiascarvalho8451]

Hi Phil, I do not know if you are aware about the Mike Pinder passed away. He was The Moody Blues keyboardst and one of the founder member of the band. We only have now have Justin Hayward and John Lodge. May you say something about it? To me it's very sad. The Moody Blues was the first band I have contact with. The melodies, the mellotron sound, the music... Everything was too much to me whose was just in my teenage at the time. I'd love to know your opinion about them. Thank you very much. Kind regards, Isaías

[@rockheart666]

Place your 25 highlights in a written form here! Or at least a foto of your real notebook (with paper pages :) - howerver I like a lot your style of talking since I can hear in each and every word of yours the love and apreciation you have for the work of this outstanding musican (and human being).

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you 🙏

[@marvinmoenen4151]

Hi Phil, love this video and Your great list, Richie blackmore one of my favorite guitar gods 👍🤘

[@dmitrysobolin5158]

Not a big fan of Blackmore, but you did it great, Phil. Thank you very much

[@Ritchiemac]

Great video Phil. R B is also my favourite guitar player, very hard to pick a favourite solo from him one of my favourite solos from him is " temple of the king" from Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow very melodic love how he uses his tremolo arm on it awesome sound. Also highway star from made in japan is fantastic !

[@AnitaKrings]

Back then, Lazy was always rated as a top song. Now it hardly opens anymore. I think he deserves more attention too.

[@dplzkc6713]

Gates of Babylon is a must. Top 5...

[@meryuk]

So chuffed with this.. Blackmore's playing can be nothing short of magical. But I know almost nothing about Rainbow. Going to have a listen to all these 25 songs now.

[@PedrSion]

The outro on Pictures of Home with Blackmore and Paice jamming is brilliant. It’s a pity you can’t hear more of it. The House of Blue Light is garbage. Have a listen to Jam Stew from the In Rock sessions. It’s on the 25th anniversary cd. It’s only 2 1/2 minutes and an instrumental. It’s just Blackmore and Paice. Got it as the alarm on my ipad. The gallop in Hard Loving Man has been keeping Iron Maiden going for years. Thebiggest change, for me, in Blackmore’s playing was when he switched from the 335 to the Strat.

[@michaelr4063]

Happy Birthday Ritchie👍👍 Love ‘The Man In Black’ ❤. Great list, good to see Spanish Archer on there. My list would have Eyes of Fire. The last two or so minutes of guitar soloing going into the fade-out…, although slightly buried in the mix- absolutely spellbinding!!

[@giovannigianni6418]

E non dimentichiamo cachet the rainbow una delle mie preferite the man in black è l' unico intramontabile e il migliore di tutti i tempi lunga vita a te

[@brotherhoodoflightshowcurr3318]

thanks

[@fuckmadridful]

Great job Phil!! I think you completely ignored the Rainbow album Long live.. from 1978 and it surprises me. Regards from a Blackmore fan from Barcelona 🤟

[@askoholli9306]

Great list. I've always liked his solo on Rainbow's "Spotlight Kid", although some of it is basically note for note Beethoven's 21st Piano Sonata ("Waldstein", 1st movement). The title track of Difficult to Cure is of course a version of Beethoven's 9th Symphony (again great soloing from him and Don Airey), so he must have listened to a lot of Beethoven at the time. And well, he's never been overly shy about showing his classical influences anyway, which probably gave him a little edge compared to a lot of other, very blues-based guitarists.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Good choices and excellent observation. I agree. Phil :)

[@Mariazellerbahn]

I always thought that "Anya" steered or twisted Blackmore towards his medieval mood music phase with Blackmore's Night,

[@pete8707]

Great list, run-down of RB's guitar moments, but I differ with you on a couple of songs, where instead, I'd choose "Gates of Babylon" and "Guitar Movement" from "Gemini Suite". Also, what vocals in "Still I'm Sad"?

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Hi Pete, there are backing vocals by Ritchies girlfriend of the time. Low in the mix but still there

[@holydiver73]

Hi Phil. I share your view about Blackmore being my favourite guitar player of all time and I’m too long in the tooth now for that to ever change. A lot of guitar players can play fast, but only a few can inject emotion and feeling into their playing. Blackmore was the best at that. He is the absolute King of the guitar fade out, something is he is carrying through with Blackmore’s Night on tracks such as Way to Mandalay and I’ll be there, (Just call my name) and with Deep Purple his dual solos with Jon Lord’s organ was a joy to listen to and showed what a selfless musician he was to know that sharing the limelight bettered the finished product. However, if I had to suggest five songs to anyone new to the Blackmore experience I would chose the following. 5. Vielleicht Das Nächste Mal (Maybe Next Time)" from Difficult to Cure 4. Way to Mandalay from Ghost of a Rose 3. A200 from Burn (yes, you’re not alone). 2. Truth Hurts from Slaves and Masters 1. Strange Kind of Woman from Made in Japan. There are many MANY more I could choose as Blackmore is simply phenomenal. PS. I also love that Rock Palast version of Temple of the King from 1995. I saw them a month later at Hammersmith and it was a wonderful concert too. I understand your approach to Blackmore music 100% because I relate to it and I see and hear it exactly the same as you do.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you so much for sharing! I loved your choices - Phil :)