Deep Purple Guitarist Won't Attend Hall of Fame Induction

Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore says he won’t be attending his band’s upcoming induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, claiming in a Facebook post that the band’s management doesn’t want him there. “Ritchie was honored by the offer of induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,“ the post reads. “He was discussing the possibility of attending, until we received correspondence from the president of the Rock Hall of Fame, who said that Bruce Payne, management for the current Deep Purple Touring Band, had said, ’No…!!!!!’ Therefore Ritchie will not be attending the ceremony. He sincerely thanks all the fans that voted for him for their support.“