Ritchie Blackmore is set for a surprise reunion with Deep Purple tonight (Aug. 12) in Wantagh, New York. When Is Ritchie Blackmore Reuniting With Deep Purple? Ritchie Blackmore had two stints after co-founding Deep Purple in 1968. (Jorgen Angel, Getty Images) Ritchie Blackmore had two stints after co-founding Deep Purple in 1968. See Deep Purple Among 30 Rock Acts With Only One Original Member Left It's down to the last man standing in these groups.