Richard Blackmore announced one last performance due to his health conditions…..
Photo Credit: Ritchie Blackmore/Instagram
Candice Night, wife of legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, revealed concerning health updates about the Deep Purple co-founder in a recent interview with Total Rock. The guitarist will turn 80 on April 14th. His cardiologist has advised him to avoid air travel following a heart attack approximately 18 months ago.
“As far as flying anywhere right now, Ritchie has actually been told by his cardiologist not to get in a plane,” Night disclosed. “He had a heart attack about a year and a half ago. He’s got six stents.”
“I can’t believe he’s gonna be 80 on April 14th, which is crazy, but he doesn’t look it, still doesn’t act it, but eventually medical things wind up catching up with you,” she continued. “So we’ve gotta make sure we keep him happy and healthy. And he’s dealing with gout and some arthritic things.”
“And, of course, his back has always been an issue for years,” Night added. “So it’s getting harder for him — it’s tricky — but, hey, I’ve seen people younger than him in wheelchairs on stage doing what they do. So I think he probably doesn’t want people to see him that way.”
Blackmore’s health challenges have created significant changes in his musical activities and future plans.
