Founding Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore made good on his promise to join the band on stage at Jones Beach, New York, last week, performing “Smoke On The Water” for the first time in over 30 years. Blackmore left the band acrimoniously in November 1993. The surprise appearance came together just one day before the show. “I woke up one morning thinking it would be good for the fans if I just got up for one song,” Blackmore told Guitar Player in a new interview. “It was very moving because I went on very quickly and had to play immediately,” Blackmore said. “I couldn’t warm up, but I wasn’t there to be playing correct notes. I was there to see old friends. I hadn’t seen [them] in 40 years and we’re all getting older. I think we realized it could be the last time we see each other, maybe.” Blackmore suffered a heart attack last year and has primarily played acoustic guitar in recent years. Story URL
Yungblud injured his leg in a dirt bike accident at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota before performing at the annual event. The UK singer took the stage despite doctor’s orders, visibly limping and grabbing a bottle of Jack Daniel’s whiskey to manage the pain. Days later, he posted a photo on Instagram showing heavily bandaged crutches, defiantly declaring: “Leg fu-ked. Still giggin. Still standin (sort of). Portugal and Belgium I’m comin and it’s gonna be fu-king mad. See you next week. Let’s ride.” Yungblud is still scheduled to perform at festivals in Europe this week, with no further tour dates currently listed for the remainder of the year. Story URL
Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Los Angeles Angels versus Kansas City Royals game at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California on August 15. MLB’s official social media noted Simmons required four attempts before delivering a successful pitch. The appearance coincided with the band releasing KISS Destroys Anaheim ’76, commemorating the 50th anniversary of their August 20, 1976 Destroyer Tour concert at Anaheim Stadium, where over 42,000 fans attended — the largest crowd KISS had drawn at that time. The album releases August 21st in multiple formats including CD, picture disc, and color vinyl. Story URL