Breaking: Ritchie Blackmore Rejoins Deep Purple for Shocking 2026 Reunion Tour, Disbands Rainbow
In a jaw-dropping announcement that has sent shockwaves through the rock music world, legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore has officially confirmed his departure from his long-running band Rainbow and will reunite with Deep Purple for a blockbuster 2026 world tour. The reunion marks the first time Blackmore and Deep Purple have performed together in decades, and fans are hailing it as one of the most significant events in rock history.
Blackmore, who co-founded Deep Purple in 1968 and was instrumental in crafting the band’s signature sound, parted ways with the group in 1993 after tensions and creative differences. He then revived Rainbow, the band he had originally formed in the mid-1970s, and focused his efforts there, performing a mix of Rainbow and Deep Purple classics alongside new material. However, in a heartfelt statement released earlier today, Blackmore revealed he is stepping away from Rainbow entirely to focus on this once-in-a-lifetime reunion with Deep Purple.
“This is the right time,” Blackmore said. “There’s something powerful about going back to where it all started. The music we created together with Deep Purple still resonates, and I believe we can give fans something truly unforgettable.”
The 2026 Deep Purple reunion tour is expected to span multiple continents, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, with dates and venues to be announced in the coming weeks. The lineup will reportedly include key classic-era members, although specific names have not yet been confirmed. Industry insiders suggest that talks have been ongoing for over a year, with Blackmore finally agreeing to the reunion after being impressed with the band’s recent performances and the enduring loyalty of Deep Purple fans worldwide.
Fans are already flooding social media with excitement, expressing both nostalgia and disbelief. Many never thought they’d see Blackmore return to the band that made him a household name. Deep Purple, known for iconic tracks such as “Smoke on the Water,” “Highway Star,” and “Child in Time,” helped pioneer hard rock and heavy metal, and Blackmore’s intricate riffs and unforgettable solos played a central role in shaping their legacy.
The tour is expected to feature a mix of Deep Purple’s greatest hits and possibly new material written by the reunited members. Rock critics and historians alike are calling this reunion a major milestone in the genre’s timeline, comparing it to past legendary reunions like Led Zeppelin’s 2007 performance and Pink Floyd’s Live 8 appearance.
As for Rainbow, the future remains uncertain. Blackmore’s departure appears to mark the end of the band’s most recent incarnation, leaving fans to wonder if Rainbow will continue under a different lineup or be retired completely.
One thing is certain: the 2026 Deep Purple reunion tour will be one of the most talked-about musical events of the decade, and Ritchie Blackmore’s return promises to reignite a legacy that has stood the test of time.