After the post on Facebook from Blackmore that he was banned from Deep Purple Rock’n’Roll Hall Of Fame Induction, the president and CEO of the organization, Joel Peresman told Rollingstone.com that this is not true. Ritchie “is invited to come enjoy the evening and accept the award”, says Peresman, who also revealed that he approached both sides’ managers in order for a reunion to happen on the ceremony, but Bruce Payne, Deep Purple’s manager, rulled it out.
Note that Blackmore, or his representantives posted this on Facebook: “Ritchie was honored by the offer of induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was discussing the possibility of attending, until we received correspondence from the President of the Rock Hall of Fame, who said that Bruce Payne, management for the current Deep Purple Touring Band, had said “No”……….!!!!!” Therefore Ritchie will not be attending the ceremony. He sincerely thanks all the fans that voted for him for their support”.
On the other hand Ian Gillan recently defended the band’s decision to perform on the ceremony with the current lineup of the band. “We were faced with a hard decision when we heard about the Hall Of Fame inductions. It was a surprise to us that [current Deep Purple guitarist] Steve Morse and [current Deep Purple keyboardist] Don Airey did not qualify as inductees. Ian Gillan, Ian Paice and Roger Glover decided upon the offer of a compromise which has been agreed with the Hall Of Fame and enables us to turn up on the night. Deep Purple inductees will accept the awards and then the living breathing Deep Purple will perform. It should be stressed that there is no slight intended nor any desire to upset anyone regarding this decision; it is purely a mark of respect to Steve and Don. I spoke with David Coverdale last week and he expressed complete understanding of the way it was being handled. Thanks, David. You’re a gent. Outside of this event, there are no circumstances under which a ‘reunion’ could or would take place. So, let’s all get up there, shake hands, smile for the cameras and get it done with dignity and respect for all the existing and past members of a very special family.”
So, whether Blackmore didn’t understand, or he intentionally wrote that on Facebook. Or, maybe he desperately want to reunite with Deep Purple and his old pal Ian Gillan, but they won’t let him. Deep Purple looks like they are on the most realistic side, knowing that there is no chance for a reunion with Blackmore and respecting Steve Morse who has been in the band for the last 20 years and Don Airey who successfully replaced Jon Lord in 2002.
