Blackmore’s Night
On Friday, August 11, 2017, we played at the Špilberk Castle in Brno as the opening act for the American music group Blackmore’s Night as part of their 20th anniversary tour. 🙂 It was an honor for us, thank you!
Blackmore’s Night is a British-American band that blends folk rock with medieval and Renaissance music, formed in 1997. The band’s central and only permanent members are legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore (formerly of Deep Purple and Rainbow) and singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Candice Night (stage name; born Candice Isralow).
In addition to guitar, Ritchie Blackmore also plays a variety of other stringed instruments, including the hurdy-gurdy, mandolin and more. The band is considered one of the key pioneers of the so-called neo-medieval folk rock genre.
The Formation of Blackmore’s Night and Their Musical Direction
Candice Night first met Ritchie Blackmore in 1989, when she was working for a New York radio station and asked him for an autograph. They gradually discovered that they shared a strong interest in Renaissance music, old ballads and historical instruments. They began living together in 1991, and in the mid-1990s they started working on a project that deliberately moved away from traditional hard rock.
The name Blackmore’s Night is a play on their surname. What originally began as a studio project featuring guest musicians quickly evolved into a full-fledged band.
Early Albums (1997–2005)
The debut album Shadow of the Moon (1997) was a major success and established the band’s distinctive sound: acoustic arrangements, period-inspired melodies and poetic lyrics drawing inspiration from nature, myths and the past. The song Play Minstrel Play features guest flautist Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull.
The following albums, particularly Fires at Midnight, gradually began to incorporate more electric guitar, while retaining the band’s folk foundation. Alongside her vocals, Candice Night also became increasingly involved as an instrumentalist, playing a variety of historical wind instruments.
Castle Concerts
Blackmore’s Night are known for their performances at Renaissance fairs and historical festivals, including concerts in castles and other historic settings throughout Europe. Audiences often attend in period costumes, further enhancing the atmosphere of stepping back in time.
The band’s success has inspired the creation of numerous tribute projects and bands across Europe. Their music has also been featured, for example, in the interactive fantasy game MagiQuest.
Further Development and Later Albums (2006–Present)
In 2006, Candice Night appeared as a guest vocalist in a duet with Andi Deris of Helloween. The album Secret Voyage (2008) featured a combination of original songs, folk influences and cover versions, including Rainbow Eyes and the famous ballad Can’t Help Falling in Love.
Further Albums:
- Autumn Sky (2010/2011)
- Dancer and the Moon (2013) – featuring cover versions of Lady in Black (Uriah Heep) and Temple of the King
- All Our Yesterdays (2015)
- Nature’s Light (2021)
In 2022, Candice Night appeared as a guest vocalist on a single by the German folk-rock band dArtagnan.
Personal Life
Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night married in 2008, after nearly two decades together. They have two children – a daughter, Autumn Esmerelda, and a son, Rory Dartanyan. Their family life has also often found its way into the poetic themes of their later work.
The Significance of Blackmore’s Night
Blackmore’s Night represent a unique fusion of rock history and historical music. For many bands active today in the world music, fantasy and medieval scenes, they are a major source of inspiration. The project demonstrates that even an established rock musician can successfully move away from the mainstream and create a long-lasting, stylistically consistent project.