[...] As the show seemed to draw closer to an end, the number of eyes fixed on the back of the stage seemed to grow. In between songs, Gillan announced that there would be a surprise coming up and asked us to stick around. The anticipation started to climb. There was no need to ask those near you what they were thinking. You could tell from the looks on people’s faces that they were full of questions. You could even read their thoughts and figure out what was going through their minds. Will what started this morning as potential rumor – becoming breaking news later in the day – indeed come to fruition? Will the individual that was last seen on the same stage as Gillan, Glover and Paice some 33 years ago, come out and join the remaining three MkII members one last time? Will Blackmore suddenly appear and start to play the opening notes to the riff of all riffs? Will McBride join in? How will it sound? Will the crowd like it? Will Gillan and Blackmore joyfully tease each other on stage once more, as they used to in the various honeymoon periods of MkII? Or would they simply stand on opposite sides of the stage and avoid any direct contact with each other?

It was now later in the show. People started checking the time. It started to feel like it was now or never. McBride moved to the edge of the stage, as he usually does when he is about to tease the intro to SOTW, and played just the opening note. The crowd was quiet. Where was Blackmore? Is he going to be a no-show? The silence was tense. McBride looked over his left shoulder, toward stage left, and a silhouette emerged from the dark corridor of the large stage. The Man in Black, white Strat around his shoulder, came out to the delight and the emotional response of thousands of enthusiastic fans that jumped to their feet while clapping and shouting in approval. Blackmore started the famous riff, the rest of the band joined in. His playing was controlled, and the solo was tasteful. But the music did not matter much. He was there, finally sharing the stage with his once brothers-in-arms. Lord was no doubt looking down the vast venue, smiling from the great beyond. The band’s faces were lit by their bright smiles. Gillan had his arm around Blackmore throughout the performance as a sign of respect and admiration. Blackmore moved from player to player, smiling at each band member with respect and gratitude. We were in awe. The crowd went nuts. Everyone was standing. Thousands of arms holding phones were extended. Filming, photographing, posting.

As the song came to an end, Gillan walked toward Blackmore with a huge smile on his face, proclaiming, “I’ve got to say something,” as he put his long arm around Blackmore once more and held him tightly. As if he did not want to let go. As if he wanted to hang on to this moment longer. It was a huge moment. It was a great display of genuine love and affection. Gillan then began to share with the audience how a couple of days ago he had gotten a message from Blackmore asking if he could join the band onstage, just to be interrupted by Blackmore who joked about the fact that Gillan is now taller than him. Gillan, without missing a beat, joked back that it was the other way around; it was Blackmore who was shrinking…

There they were: two battle-hardened warriors, full of scars, standing tall, shoulder to shoulder, full of real love, affection, and admiration for each other. Two titans. Coming home to rest after a long and hard day’s work. No longer worried about what the future held in store for them. Fully aware of how important they had been to and for each other. Fully aware that neither one of them would have been able to stand alone where they now do, without the other.

Flanked by Glover and Paice, his voice trembling with sentiment, Gillan shared that it was an absolute honor and pleasure “to have back on stage the founder member, the great legend, the immortal Ritchie Blackmore.” The Man in Black, overcome with emotion, handed his guitar to Gillan who reminded Blackmore that he will see him at the bar after the show. Blackmore walked toward the edge of the stage, taking a bow. It was as if the last 33 years had not been separated by a great chasm. It was as if they had always been the closest of friends. From the early days when they roomed together during the arduous tours.

The band went on to play a couple more songs, but we were still in a state of shock, full of nostalgic joy from what we had just witnessed. Those of us who for years, if not decades, have been dreaming of what was once considered impossible, this Wednesday evening, August 12, 2026, witnessed history in the making. The 33-year wait was over. The long and storied circle – the inside of which is filled with trials and tribulations, with tension and drama, and with groundbreaking artistic creativity and achievements that will continue to awe, inspire, and mesmerize generations to come – had finally closed. Blackmore took his well-deserved bow in front of thousands of cheering fans while Gillan, Paice, and Glover looked on with content. All is well in the Purple universe. Finally. At long last. [...]

Ritchie Blackmore & Ian Gillan, 2026-08-12.