In a heartfelt new interview with the Iron City Rocks podcast, Candice Night — longtime vocalist, solo artist, and wife of legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore — opened up about her husband’s ongoing health challenges and his tentative plans to return to the stage with BLACKMORE’S NIGHT.
The conversation comes as Candice promotes her new solo album, Sea Glass, and paints a touching picture of a music legend potentially approaching his final curtain call.
Health Concerns Weigh Heavily on Touring Decisions
For fans hoping to see Blackmore live again, Candice offered some honest insight into what he’s currently facing:
“One of the things that’s so great about Ritchie is he can recognize — he’s very in tune with his own body, and he stays on top of everything. Thank goodness. And when he doesn’t, I nag him to stay on top of it, which he hates, but at least somebody’s doing it — you know, like eating well and things like that.”
But age and long-term health conditions are catching up with the 80-year-old guitar icon.
“There’s the three main issues with him that are going on. He has a heart issue. He had a heart attack a couple of years ago, so we stay on top of that. He’s got gout, so that’s difficult. It’s affecting his feet really badly. And it’s starting in his forefinger, so it’s hurting the mobility in that, so he just had an injection for that. And his back, of course, which has always been an issue.”
Despite these setbacks, Candice says Blackmore is still incredibly sharp when it comes to managing his limitations. But the toll is undeniable.
A Return to the Stage — Perhaps for the Last Time?
While touring is never easy, it’s become increasingly complicated — and potentially dangerous — for someone dealing with multiple health conditions.
“It’s not so much the travel on a plane. Honestly, it’s the aggravation before you even get into the plane and after… it really does take a toll on a human — on a healthy human, so forget about someone who’s 80 years old and going through these issues.”
Even so, Candice revealed that Ritchie has started to entertain the idea of returning to live performances — possibly one last time.
“He did just say to me yesterday… ‘What about doing some BLACKMORE’S NIGHT dates in the fall?’ So, of course, I got greatly excited about that.”
That glimmer of hope has fans wondering: could this be the final opportunity to see Ritchie Blackmore live?
A Slower, More Deliberate Pace — One Show at a Time
Gone are the high-speed, back-to-back tours. For Blackmore, if a tour happens, it will be a measured, carefully structured journey — designed around recovery, rest, and the joy of performing.
“He would rather do places that he can drive to. He takes the night off the next day. Gone are the days where you do five shows in a row… If we go someplace, I’m driving.”
Candice concluded with a note of realism — and gratitude:
“So it’s a very slowed down way of doing it. But honestly, I’d much rather take something than nothing at all.”
If BLACKMORE’S NIGHT does hit the road this fall, it may be more than just a tour — it could be a farewell, a final bow, and a rare chance to witness one of rock’s most enduring guitarists doing what he loves most.
For fans who’ve followed Blackmore’s journey from DEEP PURPLE to RAINBOW to BLACKMORE’S NIGHT, this upcoming run might be the most meaningful yet.
