Ritchie Blackmore, the legendary guitarist of Deep Purple, recounted a humorous yet slightly embarrassing incident involving fellow guitarist Eric Clapton during a recent episode of his YouTube series. This anecdote, set in a hotel in Melbourne, Australia, takes listeners back to a vibrant time in rock history when touring bands managed the peculiarities of life on the road.
In his story, Blackmore reflected on a late-night disturbance when he and his band were subjected to maintenance work at a disruptive hour of 3 a.m. To protest the ongoing racket, they decided to retaliate by blasting music through several Marshall amplifiers. However, they were completely unaware that Clapton was staying in the adjacent room.
The situation escalated when hotel staff knocked on Blackmore's door, followed closely by a visit from Clapton's security team. This left Blackmore feeling particularly embarrassed, as he recalled positive interactions with Clapton when his band supported Cream in 1968. "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 humorously quipped.
This entertaining reflection offers a glimpse into the unpredictable nature of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, especially during its golden era of touring. Fans interested in more of Blackmore's anecdotes and insights can find his full stories on his YouTube channel.