“Jon Lord Hails Ritchie Blackmore’s Unmatched Guitar Power: ‘I’ve Never Seen Anyone Play Like That—He’s a Genius Who Possesses the Power of the Guitar Itself'”
LONDON – In a powerful and emotional reflection on the brilliance of one of rock’s most enigmatic guitarists, the late Jon Lord, legendary keyboardist and co-founder of Deep Purple, once spoke with raw admiration about the sheer force and genius of Ritchie Blackmore’s guitar playing. His words echo through the halls of music history as a testament to a man whose fretwork left an unforgettable mark not just on rock, but on the human spirit itself.
In an archived interview now resurfacing amid the celebration of Blackmore’s induction into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, Lord didn’t hold back when describing what it was like to stand beside Blackmore on stage.
“In my entire life, I have never seen anybody play the guitar with the power and precision Ritchie had,” Lord said. “There are great guitarists, no doubt — but Ritchie? He’s something different. He doesn’t just play the guitar. He is the guitar.”
“He Possesses the Power of the Guitar”
Lord, known for his own pioneering keyboard work and deeply expressive compositions, emphasized that what made Blackmore so unique was not just technical skill, but the emotional weight behind every note.
“There’s something supernatural about the way Ritchie plays. It’s like he possesses the power of the guitar itself,” Lord explained. “He’s a genius — the kind that doesn’t follow the rules because he’s the one writing them. Every note from him has intent, danger, elegance. It can be a whisper or a war cry. You feel it in your bones.”
Music That Saves Lives
In one of the most stirring parts of the conversation, Lord recalled a moment that cemented just how deeply Blackmore’s music had touched lives far beyond the stage.
“I remember a fan once called in after a show,” Lord recounted. “He said, ‘I just want you to know Ritchie saved my life.’ He’d been going through a terrible time and was ready to give up — until he heard Ritchie play. He said it was like someone reached into the darkness and pulled him out with a single note. That’s the kind of power Ritchie wields. It’s not just music — it’s something more.”
Lord paused in the interview, his voice thick with emotion. “How many musicians can truly say their playing saved someone’s life? That’s beyond talent. That’s magic.”
An Eternal Bond
Despite the well-documented tension between band members during their years in Deep Purple, Lord always spoke of Blackmore with reverence — not just as a bandmate, but as a mysterious and brilliant force of nature. Their chemistry helped shape rock masterpieces like “Child in Time,” “Highway Star,” and the immortal “Smoke on the Water.”
“I could always feel when Ritchie was about to explode into something transcendent,” Lord said. “It was like watching a storm gather — and then he’d strike, and you’d just stand back in awe.”
As fans continue to celebrate Ritchie Blackmore’s induction into the Hall of Fame, Jon Lord’s words resonate like a hymn to a legend. It is a reminder that true musical genius doesn’t fade — it lives in every note, every soul it touches, and in the memories of those who stood closest to the storm.
