Ian Gillan Recalls Why Ritchie Blackmore Set Fire to a Venue at Deep Purple Show: ‘It Was All Quite Rock ‘N’ Roll’.

Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan recounted the circumstances that resulted in Ritchie Blackmore committing arson.

In an interview with Ultimate Classic Rock, Ian Gillan discussed Deep Purple’s tour with Yes and whether there was a connection between the two bands. He pointed out that there wasn’t much of a bond and shared a story about a disagreement with Yes that led to a significant incident:

“There wasn’t much of a bond. [Laughs] We were performing at the Plumpton festival, the first rock, jazz, and blues festival that eventually became the Reading Festival, organized by Jack Barrie at the Marquee Club in London. He featured some truly great bands.”

 

“We had collaborated with many of them back then, which was fantastic. They were all talented in their own right but I think Yes felt slighted because they wanted to be the closing act, and that wasn’t part of their contract.”

Any disagreements like this were bound to upset Ritchie Blackmore, known for his destructive tendencies, such as his notorious behavior at the California Jam. Gillan confirmed Blackmore’s reaction:

 

“It was in our contract that Deep Purple would close the show, so they refused to leave their hotel room. Jack said, ‘Guys, could you go on a bit earlier? It would really help me and the crowd.’ We agreed, ‘Yeah sure, no problem.’ Then Ritchie decided that if we weren’t closing, nobody would.”

 

Gillan elaborated:

 

“He had gasoline brought in and doused the equipment, then had a roadie light a broom with a petrol-soaked rag to set it all ablaze. Of course, it ignited the fumes exploded. Within half an hour, there were blue lights everywhere.”

 

“The police, fire brigade, and ambulances all showed up, causing total chaos. The next morning, it was front-page news in the Sunday papers, definitely a rock ‘n’ roll moment.”