Ritchie Blackmore Rainbow: The Colors of Rock Talking to you about RITCHIE BLACKMORE is, for many readers, evoking an important musical past from our youth, as that name is logically associated with the DEEP PURPLE phenomenon. However, and this is unknown to you, getting a conversation with the famous guitarist is usually a very arduous task, considered by music journalism as the black character (he who even has a taste for black). However, it happens that after a show full of energy and decibels, PORTUGAL, represented by the best information on rock & roll, in other words. MUSICA & SOM, managed to present arguments that led to an interview with those influenced. of so many dreams or disappointments from my teenage days: MR. RITCHIE BLACKMORE. His excellence began by appreciating the work exhibited in one of the issues of M & S. asking why they haven't invited him to work in our country yet, one of the important new markets to rival Japan, according to his opinion. Once again RAINBOW comes to the hard rock road with a new look, as from the last line-up only drummer COZY POWELL and you remain. What is the prayer of constant changes and will it be definitive this time? The progress of a band depends, in my opinion, on a consistent exchange of musical ideas from musicians from all walks of life. For this change to take place, it is essential to change your personal frequently! Sometimes it also happens that some musicians, when integrated into the band, have a certain tendency to assimilate their work with RAINBOW - DEEP PURPLE (financial) and, this is something to be avoided. I believe this criticism refers to the previous singer RONNIE JAMES DIO, recently hired by Black Sabbath, right? Yes, with him I had several problems of this kind, which of I will not give you a detailed explanation. RONNIE perhaps believed in a musical and financial operation very close to the PURPLE era and his mistake was fatal. DEEP PURPLE marked an era! My career with RAINBOW follows a different musical path. Otherwise it would be absurd, don't you think? But don't you think there is a small contradiction to what you have just said, provoked by the unexpected entry into RAINBOW of another DEEP PURPLE "hero", bass ROGER GLOVER? No, because the departured ROGER GLOVER had accepted the role of producer of our last album and, as we decided to send the bass guitar away, logically there was a place for ROGER, if he accepted, as it would be his return to the stage after the end of the PURPLE period. To everyone's surprise, the invitation was accepted and RAINBOW became musically enriched! But in addition to his musical contribution, there is the pacifist tone of his presence, as it is known, I have a very difficult character, hence the various conflicts within the band. ROGER GLOVER is for RAINBOW just like JOHN ENTWISTLE is for THE WHO!... SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE, the single taken from the latest album entitled DOWN TO EARTH, was the target of criticism from the international press, accusing its enormous success as a shift towards a sound particularly for commercial purposes The same would have happened if we had made a disco-sound version of any old hit. But we didn't. SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE is just a good rock composition designed to exploit the "fun" of our audience to the maximum. Anyway, what is not commercial in today's music? Critics exaggerate and that's why I hate them. The next hit will be classically inspired. I'll be waiting for the reviews!... The audience today spoke out against some of your solos with classical tendencies. Do you think that the introduction of classic rock, in the 80s, is still viable? After my break with DEEP PURPLE, my basic intention was to assimilate classical music to rock & roll. Since our first appearances on stage, I have seen this incompatibility, as rock is synonymous with energy while classical music requires much more concentration! The 16th century was the richest and the one that influenced me the most classically. I think that today it is easier to introduce this type of music to synthesizers than to basic rock instruments! You belonged to the famous class of "guitar heroes" from the 60s, I think it is quite important to ask you what your opinion is about the new wave work of guitarists and bands from the 80s... As I live in New York, I'm not very aware of what's going on in England. However, it seems to me that THE CLASH and THE JAM can survive, as their musical content is quite futuristic. In America my preferences are for bands like DEVO and THE CARS, but I can't comment on what you call "new wave" because I don't have time to listen to the radio or read newspapers. I can't tell you about the names of guitarists because they are bad performers and, therefore, they don't interest me. Do you think the 80s will be as rich in values ??and importance as the 60s? New names may appear, but the musical meaning contained in the 60s will always retain its importance as a standard for an entire generation. I don't believe in miracles for the next decade! How does it feel to see yourself being awarded, in a time of new sounds, the title of "the best guitarist of the year", by the English press? Well, this not only testifies to my good technique as a performer, but also proves that age has no relation to continuity in rock & roll. At thirty-four years old, I feel in perfect shape to face the “new wave"" ! RAINBOW has all the energy needed for a good rock show. One last question and the most difficult. Why did you abandon DEEP PURPLE at the time? The exhaustion of the huge tours and the extravagant dimensions that were anticipated. Well that's all. OK? José Oliveira - Musica & Som No 57, Portugal 1980