Ian Gillan, the legendary frontman of Deep Purple, has firmly dismissed any rumors of a reunion between Deep Purple and Rainbow, or even with guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. In a recent interview, Gillan made it clear that despite any speculation, there is no interest in reuniting with Blackmore or resurrecting the past with Rainbow. Gillan did not mince words, calling Blackmore a “betrayal” and a “snitch,” referring to the tensions that arose between the two during Blackmore’s departure from Deep Purple in the mid-1970s.
The guitarist’s well-documented exit and the subsequent formation of Rainbow have long been sources of friction within the Deep Purple camp. Gillan’s comments reflect the enduring animosity between him and Blackmore, with Gillan citing past betrayals as the reason for his lack of interest in revisiting those days. Despite the ongoing fan demand for a reunion, Gillan emphasized that the current lineup of Deep Purple is in a good place and that looking back to the past would be a step backward.
As Deep Purple continues to tour and record, Gillan remains focused on the present and future, leaving behind any nostalgic ideas of rekindling past collaborations. The message is clear: the band is moving forward, and any reunion with Blackmore is firmly off the table.
