Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow to tour UK in 2017

Blackmore performing this summer (Image credit: Getty)

Ritchie Blackmore has confirmed that his 21st-century lineup of Rainbow will tour the UK in June next year.

The four shows follow a handful of experimental appearances earlier this year, when the veteran Deep Purple guitarist decided to try out a return to rock after many years working with his Renaissance-themed band Blackmore’s Night.

He’d originally described the shows as “just a few dates for fun” – but afterwards he said: “We might do a few more shows again. I enjoyed it, especially the last one in England.

“The first two were a little bit intense because we hadn’t played together – but the last one in Birmingham seemed to work to me.

“It was so weird, I think it was 20,000 people – it sold out in 15 minutes and I kind of wondered who they thought was playing. When I got to the auditorium, it was so vast that I thought, ‘Maybe someone else is playing this show tonight.’”

Promoters say: “The Ritchie Blackmore Rainbow tour promises to be an unmissable event, not only for Deep Purple and Rainbow fans, but also those who want to soak up the electrifying genius of the legendary guitarist live.

“Blackmore will be joined by former stalwart Meister Bob on bass, Blackmore’s Night drummer David Keith, Stratovarius keyboardist Jens Johansson, and singer Ronnie Romero – who Blackmore describes as ‘Ronnie James Dio meets Freddie Mercury.’

Tickets go on sale at 10am on December 8 (Thursday), with passes for the Birmingham gig available via TeamRock Tickets.

Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow UK tour 2017

Jun 17: London O2 Stone Free Festival
Jun 22: Manchester Arena
Jun 25: Glasgow SSE Hydro
Jun 28: Birmingham Genting Arena

Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow - live review

Artists

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.