Simon McBride of Deep Purple Reveals the Most Difficult Ritchie Blackmore Lick to Play.

As the current guitarist for Deep Purple, Simon McBride has the towering task of filling the shoes of one of rock’s most legendary players—Ritchie Blackmore. With his signature tone, lightning-fast runs, and unique fusion of classical and blues influences, Blackmore’s playing has long challenged guitarists around the world. In a recent interview, McBride opened up about the one lick that, even for a seasoned pro like himself, stands out as particularly difficult to master.

“Ritchie has this way of playing that’s deceptively tricky,” McBride explained. “It’s not just about speed or technique—it’s how he phrases things, his timing, and the unpredictability of his solos. The hardest lick for me has always been that fast descending run in the live version of Highway Star. It’s intense.”

The passage McBride is referring to comes from the iconic Made in Japan version of Highway Star, a performance widely regarded as one of the best live rock recordings ever. In it, Blackmore delivers a blistering solo filled with neo-classical flair, tapping into harmonic minor scales and intricate alternate picking. It’s a moment that defines the band’s virtuosic edge, and replicating it note-for-note is no easy feat.

“People always focus on the studio recordings,” McBride said, “but it’s in the live performances where Ritchie really went wild. He wasn’t afraid to push the boundaries. The Highway Star solo is so fluid and aggressive—it’s like it has a life of its own. Trying to capture that same energy while staying faithful to his note choices is extremely challenging.”

For McBride, nailing Blackmore’s sound is not just about playing fast—it’s about capturing the spirit behind the notes. “Ritchie had this controlled chaos in his playing. His vibrato, his attack, the way he would jump between melody and madness—it’s not something you can just transcribe and copy. You have to feel it.”

Despite the difficulty, McBride says learning Blackmore’s licks has made him a better guitarist. “It’s a constant learning curve. When I joined Deep Purple, I made it my mission to really understand what made Ritchie’s playing so special. It’s helped me grow in areas I didn’t expect—phrasing, dynamics, touch. He was ahead of his time.”

While McBride brings his own flavor to Deep Purple’s live shows, he remains respectful of the legacy he’s stepping into. “I’m not trying to be a clone,” he emphasized. “But when it comes to iconic solos like Highway Star, I try to honor the original because that’s what the fans love. And honestly, it’s fun to play—even if it nearly breaks your fingers!”

For guitarists looking to challenge themselves, McBride recommends diving into Blackmore’s catalog. “Start with the Made in Japan album,” he advises. “There’s a treasure trove of technique and emotion in there. And if you can get that lick down, you’re doing pretty well.”

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