LONDON (VIP NEWS) — He left the band four decades ago, but iconic Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore has taken two management companies to court, claiming he is owed more than £750,000 in unpaid royalties.
Blackmore, 70, said he had been “significantly underpaid” for co-writing many of the rock group’s hits in the 1970’s, including the anthem of every amateur guitarist, ‘Smoke On The Water’, and popular songs ‘Black Night’ and ‘Highway Star’.
The companies, HEC Enterprises and Deep Purple (Overseas) Ltd, were sued in 2003 by band members Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Jon Lord and Ian Paice, who received an undisclosed amount in a settlement.
However, Blackmore was not involved and is now claiming he is owed at least £750,000 according to the Daily Mail.
Blackmore, considered one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time, left the UK group in 1974 to create a new band, Rainbow.
He returned to Deep Purple in 1984 and toured for several years before he left for good in 1993.
He now primarily performs in the band Blackmore’s Night with his singer wife, Candice Night.
