Ritchie Blackmore named his favourite Bob Dylan album
In an era teeming with guitar virtuosos, Ritchie Blackmore emerged as a standout figure. As a pioneering force in proto-metal, he pushed the boundaries of guitar playing, introducing techniques such as distortion, dive bombs, and tapping. Alongside luminaries like Jimi Hendrix and Tony Iommi, Blackmore’s innovative approach provided a blueprint for future guitarists seeking to infuse their music with the raw power of their creative visions.
Whether it be his work with Deep Purple, Rainbow or as a solo artist, Blackmore’s talent is easily perceivable. Fusing a range of genres from metal to folk, the Somerset native remains one of the most influential axemen of his generation due to his profound fusion of technical talent and imagination. Never one to give up on pushing himself to new heights, this attitude has earned fans ranging from Brian May to Billy Corgan, two names that clearly outline his zeitgeist-dodging reach.
Being one of the most lauded names of his era has afforded Blackmore more currency than most to comment on the work of others. While he might be known for his sharp critiques of his peers, such as denigrating The Rolling Stones as “idiots”, the former Deep Purple virtuoso isn’t always as damning.
One man Blackmore is on record as being a big fan of is Bob Dylan. During a 1996 interview with a fan, he listed a collection of his favourite albums and songs of all time. A mixture of sounds, it offered real insight into the complex inner workings of one of the classic rock period’s most distinctive artists.
During this list, Blackmore once again described his love for the ‘Voice of a Generation’ and chose Dylan’s lauded 1966 record Blonde on Blonde as his favourite by the Duluth troubadour. He explained: “I would love to play with Bob Dylan. I mean it sounds kind of funny in a way. But he is the only person I admire in the business.”
He continued: “I have been in the business for so long, he’s the one that I still feel he remains mysterious. There is something about him that I think is truly monumental and he is so creative. When you think on all the songs that he has written, you know, ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’, ‘Blowing In the Wind’, it’s endless. So I’m a big fan of his.”
Listen to Blonde on Blonde below.
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