Ritchie Blackmore Knives, Spirits Judging by the bad relationships he usually has with his musicians, and by how little those who know him tolerate him, Blackmore has always been described as hysterical. Now he is worse: not only has his mood and his pedantic attitude not changed, but he also suffers from a persecution complex. Despite a recent rumor circulating that Ritchie Blackmore has a Stratocaster glued to his body, he insists that he is now studying the cello, an instrument that occupies more and more of his time. We don't know if his statement is true or not, but one thing seems certain: his new group, Rainbow, is improving day by day, especially since he teamed up with Ronnie Dio, who sings and writes the lyrics for the tracks. From the Blackmore-Dio duo, a renewed metallic rock sound is emerging, which was quite well defined on the album "Rising." In the interview that follows, RB talks about that record and a few other things that currently interest him. What is your opinion of "Rising"? It's the best album I've made so far. Didn't you say that about all the others you recorded? Well... that might be... But what happens is that one is always improving. When you are recording something new, you always think that it is the best, and it's logical; if you thought the new stuff wasn't as good as the previous stuff, you wouldn't do it with much enthusiasm, right? In reality, whether an album is bad or good is just a matter of opinion, and I agree with mine. Everyone who listened to "Rising" told me it's the best thing I've done in years, and it's probable they truly feel that way, just as it's probable they said it just to make me happy. After all, what do they know about what is the best I can do? Who designed the cover? A lot of people; even the guy who did the little windows on Led Zeppelin's "Physical Graffiti" participated. Ronnie Dio recently told a journalist that you had a "perfect sense of time"; how did you manage to acquire it? I was born with a metronome in my hand, so I can always tell if a musician is going faster or slower than they should, even if the difference is minimal. And that is very important. Is there anything else that seems as important to you? Yes, numbers. For example: you will never see me staying in a room that has the number thirteen or any other number whose digits add up to thirteen. Only once did I miss it, and I suffered the consequences: I stayed in room 607 (6 + 7 = 13), and shortly after I came down with hepatitis. Why are you so superstitious? My mother, who had many gypsy friends, taught me many things like that: not to cut your nails on a Sunday, not to cross paths with anyone on the stairs, not to wear anything green on stage, not to whistle in the dressing rooms... there are thousands of those things to watch out for. It gives me the impression that you must live feeling very persecuted... More or less; but that's why I don't get drunk: because I must always be alert. When I go to a bar or to a restaurant, for example, I always sit with my back against the wall, so that nobody has a clear path to come and stab me in the back; and when I sleep, I do so with all kinds of objects that can serve as weapons in case someone wants to attack me. I am suspicious of everything, by nature. What do the people around you think of those manias of yours? Simply, they can't stand them. Do you look for what you want, or do you wait for what you want to come to you? I desire it and wait for it to arrive. When you needed a singer, did you wait for Ronnie to appear? Yes, because I already knew him and I knew he would want to sing with me, and therefore, he would come to see me. Are you satisfied with Dio? Completely, because some of my music is difficult to sing and he can do it well, without causing me problems. In addition, I like the lyrics he writes. Above all, he and I get along well because he shares my idea that the most important work, within a group, weighs on the shoulders of the guitarist and the singer and that, precisely for that reason, both must be responsible for fifty percent each. I'm already tired of having to do solos all the time. Is there any other reason, apart from that one, that makes the two of you get along so well? Yes: cosmic reasons. He fell to earth one day, and I found him in a ditch. And there is still one more reason: he doesn't eat vegetables. What do you feel when you play a good solo on stage? I feel like I am communicating with spirits. As is known, spirits like music very much, so they are the ones who tell me if what I played is good or bad. They know a lot because they have the advantage of being in several places at the same time. Do you really think that when you die you are going to become a spirit? Of course, and I am going to judge what the musicians who are still living are doing. Do you tend to feel like a star? No, but I tend to do the opposite of what everyone else does: if people laugh, I cry; if smoking is forbidden, I smoke. And does that make you feel good? It amuses me a great deal. I like to take people by surprise, to bewilder them. And is there anyone who can bewilder you? Only my father, because he thinks in a way that is completely different from mine, and he knows a lot. He is the only person I could never surprise. What is it that you detest the most? People. Musicians who stand in front of a microphone to look pretty, but have nothing to offer and dirty the name of music. © Pelo Magazine issue no 82, Argentina 1977