Ritchie Blackmore

Hard-rock guitarist Ritchie Blackmore began studying classical guitar at age 11, then switched to rock in his teens. He became a session player and worked with Screaming Lord Sutch before cofounding Deep Purple in 1968. Associates claim that Blackmore is often arrogant and belligerent, and after Purple had peaked, he left in 1975 amid rumors of dissension. He founded his own band, made up mostly o...