In a recent episode of his YouTube series, legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple shared a humorous and slightly embarrassing personal anecdote involving fellow guitarist Eric Clapton. The tale is set in a hotel in Melbourne, Australia, and transports listeners to an era when the rock lifestyle was defined by the peculiarities and unpredictability of touring with bands.
Blackmore recounted a late-night disturbance that led to his band facing maintenance work at an inopportune hour of 3 a.m. In an attempt to retaliate against the noise, Blackmore and his band decided to turn up the volume by blasting music through several Marshall amplifiers. Unbeknownst to them, Clapton was staying in the adjacent room.
The situation took a turn when hotel staff knocked on Blackmore's door, followed by a visit from Clapton's security team, leaving him feeling embarrassed. He humorously reflected, "I was in there having a drink, but I wasn't playing. That doesn't get me off the hook—it was really my idea to make all this noise."
Blackmore's entertaining recollection provides a glimpse into the unpredictable nature of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, particularly during its golden era of touring. Fans wanting to hear more of his adventures and insights can check out his complete stories on his YouTube channel.