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...