Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore suffered a heart attack in 2023. This information was revealed by Candice Night , his wife and vocalist for Blackmore's Night .
Speaking to TotalRock [via Blabbermouth ], she explained her husband's health condition, which involved having six stents – devices inserted into arteries to improve blood flow – placed in his arteries. The former Deep Purple also suffers from gout and joint problems.
Because of this, he is unable to travel by plane and is currently only performing shows in the United States.
“Ritchie was informed by his cardiologist that he cannot get on a plane. He had a heart attack about a year and a half ago. He has six stents.”
“I can hardly believe he’s turning 80 on April 14th, which is crazy, he doesn’t act like it yet. Soon, health issues catch up with you. So we have to make sure he stays happy and healthy. And he’s dealing with gout and some arthritis issues. And, of course, his back has always been a problem. So it’s getting harder.”
Blackmore became more reclusive after a heart attack
Night also said that Ritchie Blackmore , in his current state, does not wish to appear before his fans and has become more reclusive after suffering a heart attack. Because of this, it has been difficult for him to stay on tour for extended periods.
“It’s getting harder for him, but I’ve seen people younger than him in wheelchairs on stage. I think he probably doesn’t want people to see him that way. I see it differently. From a fan’s perspective, I think people would be happy to be in the same place as him and hear him play, regardless of anything.”
"So, we kind of have this discussion all the time [laughs]. But he recently went to the cardiologist and they said, 'let's put the air travel aside.' So, hopefully we can work all this out and that things change."
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