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Joe Satriani On REPLACING Ritchie Blackmore In Deep Purple!

1,773 views · Published 2 June 2018 · 12:48 · Indexed 13 October 2026

Channel: R&M News · 2018 · Music

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Joe Satriani recently spoke about what it was like to replace ritchie blackmore in deep purple from 1993 and '94, admitting it was a bit of an intimidating gig 

he said:

"I did feel a bit like a rookie. I was just a couple of years into the sort of accidental career as an instrumentalist, and then all of the sudden I get this call to replace a legend

You can't replace somebody like Ritchie Blackmore. So I kind of knew it was gonna be a thankless job from the fans' point of view. Who have already bought tickets to the shows.

"There was a level of uncomfortableness, but I think it was all in my head. I think anybody who walks out on stage knowing that they're not the guy that the audience knows and loves - that they're the replacement - they've got a little mental game they've got to play every night they're on stage. They have to kinda try not to think like the audience.

"But I couldn't help it. I was such a big fan of Deep Purple and such a great fan of Ritchie Blackmore. There was a lot of sort of internal battles going on where every time I go to play 'Smoke on the Water,' I would just hear every single note in detail that Richie played and I kept thinking, 'Why play it any different? That's perfect.'

"But, of course, the guys in the band really wanted me to be Joe. They just kept saying, 'Do whatever you want Joe. We'd love to hear your style over this. Forget about Ritchie.' And it was impossible for me because I grew up listening and trying to imitate Ritchie Blackmore - as any young kid my age would, growing up when I did.

"So the experience was exhilarating. It was super fun because I was so excited to play with a legendary band, still mildly starstruck, even though I got to know these guys very well.

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