Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore has confirmed the second in a series of Best of Rainbow and Deep Purple shows planned for 2016.
Blackmore will perform at the Monsters Of Rock festival in Loreley, Germany on June 17 ahead of his previously-announced appearance at the same event in Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany on June 18.
Tickets for both festivals will go on sale November 6.
Blackmore departed Deep Purple for the second time in 1993 and has been focusing his energies since 1997 on Blackmore’s Night, a medieval folk bandhe formed with then-girlfriend and now-wife Candice Night.
"I'm now 70, so I just felt like playing some rock 'n' roll for a few days,” the guitarist tells Billboard. “We're going to do four or five dates" — most likely in England, Germany and Sweden — "of just playing the old rock stuff, Purple stuff and Rainbow.
"I'm doing it for the fans, for nostalgia, and the singer I found is very exciting; he's a cross between Ronnie James Dio meets Freddie Mercury. So this will mean exposing a new singer to the masses, and I'm sure he'll become pretty famous because of his voice."
Deep Purple were recently named among the nominees for induction into the 2016 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
See also:
Ritchie Blackmore announces Best Of Rainbow & Deep Purple show
Deep Purple singer not a fan of the Rock Hall
Deep Purple confirm plans to record new album
Deep Purple, Yes & Cheap Trick lead 2016 Rock Hall nominees
Search Deep Purple at hennemusic
