Ritchie Blackmore recently gave a rare interview addressing the frequent lineup changes in Rainbow and responding to past criticism from Ronnie James Dio. The interview was reported by Guitar Player.
The legendary guitarist was asked about Rainbow’s numerous lineup changes throughout the band’s history, including up to 2019.
“I’ve never fired anyone from Rainbow who was doing a really good job,” Blackmore said. “Let’s keep it at that.”
Blackmore was confronted with Ronnie James Dio’s 1981 comments about Blackmore being the controlling force in the band. The guitarist offered a candid response.
“Yes, that is a fair assessment,” Blackmore acknowledged. “When I have an idea I can’t help but be very pushy about who should play what and how it should be played. Whereas, conversely, when I used to play on certain people’s sessions in the studio, because it was someone else’s music I didn’t have a clue how to play. I have a problem with interpreting other people’s music.”
These revelations come as Blackmore emerges from a period of limited public visibility. They coincide with the release of a comprehensive Rainbow retrospective.
Guitar Player reported that the interview was connected to the release of Rainbow — The Temple of the King 1975–1976, a nine-disc collection that was released on March 6, 2026. This extensive box set project prompted Blackmore to discuss his career in rare detail. It offered insights into his approach to band management and creative control.
The scope of Rainbow’s personnel changes becomes clear when examining the band’s history. Guitar Player noted that over Rainbow’s run from 1974 through 2019, the band released eight studio albums with more than 30 musicians passing through its ranks. This extraordinary turnover rate underscores the significance of Blackmore’s recent comments about his hiring and firing practices.
Dio’s role in Rainbow’s early years was particularly crucial to the band’s development. Guitar Player revealed that Dio was a pre-fame vocalist who joined Blackmore’s newly formed band in 1974 after Blackmore left Deep Purple. Dio performed on Rainbow’s debut album Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow and collaborated with Blackmore on the follow-up album Rising. Their working relationship evolved between these two releases.
Blackmore’s recent visibility has been limited due to health challenges. Guitar Player indicated that Blackmore suffered a heart attack during 2024. He surfaced to discuss his career for the Temple of the King box set project. This rare interview provides insight into Blackmore’s leadership style and his perspective on the band dynamics that shaped Rainbow’s history.
