Ritchie Blackmore recently addressed rumors about a supposed feud with Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page. He clarified his relationship with the legendary guitarist in a statement shared on Instagram.
The Deep Purple guitarist responded to fan speculation during a surprise live stream. He expressed disbelief at claims that he harbored negative feelings toward Page.
“I read the other day that I hated him. I can’t believe they said that,” Blackmore said. “The first time I met him was 1963 or ’62. He was in a band called Neil Christian and the Crusaders, and I was in Lord Sutch and the Savages.”
Blackmore went on to praise Page’s early talent and star quality. He reflected on their long history in the music industry.
“I knew he was going places, because I could tell, not only did he have a style, he had the playing ability, and he just looked right, playing the guitar. He was a star in the making, Jimmy Page,” he continued.
The guitarist also recalled their most recent interaction. He shared a memorable exchange that highlighted their mutual respect.
“Last time I spoke to him, he was probably in the Rainbow, in Hollywood. He said to me, ‘Where did you learn all your runs from?’ And I thought, ‘That was a strange question.’ And I thought, ‘Runs? Well, they’re just improvisational, extemporizations, improvisational inversions.’ And that was quite a compliment coming from him. Magical guy, great guy. Always will be.”
Blackmore’s comments shed light on the parallel paths both guitarists took during the formative years of British rock music in the 1960s.
Both musicians were deeply embedded in London’s session scene during this pivotal era. Wikipedia reported that Blackmore began his professional career in bands such as the Outlaws and Screaming Lord Sutch & the Savages. Page was establishing himself as a sought-after session guitarist. Guitar Player noted that Page was hired for major recording projects, including playing on Donovan’s psychedelic breakthrough album Sunshine Superman in 1966, where he played repeating guitar licks using a volume pedal.
The mutual recognition between the two guitarists reflects their shared status among rock’s elite. NamuWiki documented that Jimmy Page is recognized as one of the most popular guitarists in rock history, alongside other legends including Ritchie Blackmore, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Eddie Van Halen.
Blackmore’s own trajectory reached a defining moment when he co-founded Deep Purple. Wikipedia indicated that Blackmore is credited with suggesting the band’s name in April 1968. This was a pivotal moment in rock history that occurred during the same period when both guitarists were establishing their legacies in the British rock scene.
The clarification from Blackmore underscores the respect that has existed between these two guitar legends throughout their careers. It dispels any notion of rivalry in favor of mutual admiration that has spanned more than six decades.
