Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx reacted to Ritchie Blackmore’s surprise reunion with Deep Purple, sharing his thoughts in a post on X (@NikkiSixx). The former Deep Purple guitarist joined the band on stage for the first time in more than three decades during their headlining concert on August 12 in New York.
Sixx’s comments touched on the reunion footage, his own history seeing Deep Purple live, and his admiration for the band’s music over the years.
“It was really cool seeing all the videos of Ritchie Blackmore playing ‘Smoke on the Water’ with Deep Purple,” Sixx said. “Took me right back.”
He went on to recall attending one of the band’s earliest tours.
“My first PURPLE show was at the Seattle Coliseum, with ELO and ELF opening—with Ronnie James Dio on vocals,” he continued. “It was the Burn tour, and they sounded HUGE. I think it was 1974/75.”
Sixx also reflected on a lineup he never got to see perform.
“I really wish I’d gotten to see them with Tommy Bolin on guitar,” he added. “Come Taste the Band is still one of my favorite Purple records. What a band.”
The reunion that sparked Sixx’s reaction carries weight beyond the footage circulating online. The details behind the appearance help explain why longtime fans, and fellow musicians like Sixx, found it so striking.
The reunion took place at the Northwell at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York, during Deep Purple’s August 12 concert. Blackmore’s appearance came near the end of the band’s set. He walked out to join his former bandmates for “Smoke on the Water,” one of the most recognizable songs in rock history.
The moment marked Blackmore’s first performance with Deep Purple since 1993, ending a 33-year absence from the band’s stage. Blackmore co-founded Deep Purple in 1968 and played a central role in shaping the band’s sound through multiple lineup changes before departing more than three decades ago.
Word of the reunion spread quickly after Blackmore revealed his plans the night before the show. He and his wife, Candice Night, announced during an Instagram Live broadcast that he intended to join Deep Purple onstage for the encore. The announcement gave fans just hours of notice before the historic appearance.
The performance closed out a set that also included staples like “Space Truckin’,” setting up “Smoke on the Water” as the night’s climactic finale. Deep Purple has a long and complicated history of lineup shifts and guitarist departures. Blackmore’s brief return offered a rare moment of reconciliation, one that resonated with musicians like Sixx who grew up on Deep Purple’s classic-era records.
The reunion marked a rare on-stage return for Blackmore with his former bandmates. No further details on additional appearances have been announced.
