Ritchie Blackmore, the iconic guitarist renowned for his contributions to Deep Purple, recently recounted a humorous yet slightly embarrassing tale involving fellow guitarist Eric Clapton from their earlier careers. The anecdote was shared during a recent episode of Blackmore's YouTube series, where he reflected on a memorable late-night incident that took place in a hotel in Melbourne, Australia.
The story takes us back to a time when touring rock bands grappled with the quirks of life on the road. Blackmore recalled how he and his band attempted to protest against the disruptive maintenance work that was occurring at 3 a.m. in their hotel. In a spirited response, they decided to amplify their frustrations by blasting their music through several Marshall amplifiers.
Unbeknownst to Blackmore and his crew, Clapton happened to be staying in the adjacent room. After numerous complaints from hotel staff attempting to quell the racket, a firm knock on the door revealed Clapton's security personnel, leading to an embarrassed moment for Blackmore.
Looking back, Blackmore reflected on how he had initially made a positive impression on Clapton when his band supported Cream back in 1968. However, this incident introduced a hint of awkwardness into their relationship. He humorously admitted, "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."
This amusing reflection highlights the unpredictable nature of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle during the height of touring. For more entertaining stories and insights from Blackmore, check out his YouTube channel.