Ritchie Blackmore to announce shock retirement from music?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • London
  • Last updated on

Deep Purple original guitarist created a stir on Monday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.

Sad news for Blackmore fans. Speculation had been rife that Deep Purple original guitarist is about to announce his retirement from music, at age 80, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 24/02/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a guitarist isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a guitarist just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouRitchie

For a little while on Monday evening, #ThankYouRitchie was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“Ritchie Blackmore was unlike any other guitarist we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouRitchie”
— @universalObserver, 23 Feb 2026
“Didn't Ritchie Blackmore retire about 3 years ago?”
— @samy2love, 23 Feb 2026

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