Ritchie Blackmore

Richard Hugh Blackmore is an English guitarist, who was a co-founding member of Deep Purple, and was a founding member of Rainbow and Blackmore's Night. In the 1960s, he began his professional career in bands such as the Outlaws, and backed session guitarist in such as singers Glenda Collins, Heinz, Screaming Lord Sutch, Neil Christian, and others. Blackmore has been known for playing both classically influenced and blues-based solos. He is cited by publications such as Guitar World and Rolling Stone as one of the greatest and most influential guitar players of all time. As one of former members of Deep Purple, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2016.