Blackmore Calls Out Zeppelin’s “Stolen” Sound while Deep Purple Were No Saints Either

Ritchie Blackmore, the legendary guitarist of Deep Purple, has never been shy about his opinions. In past interviews, he’s criticized Led Zeppelin for what he perceives as borrowing—if not outright lifting—musical ideas from blues and earlier rock artists, particularly pointing at Jimmy Page and Zeppelin’s early material as being derivative.

“Much of their stuff was taken from old blues songs and rearranged,” Blackmore once remarked. “They got away with a lot.”

Yet, fans and critics are quick to point out that Deep Purple wasn’t entirely innocent either. Songs like “Black Night” were clearly inspired by earlier tracks (Ricky Nelson’s “Summertime” being one noted example), and the band often walked the fine line between homage and imitation.

In the world of ’60s and ’70s rock, “borrowing” was common. Bands like Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and even The Rolling Stones frequently drew from blues, folk, and classical music. What mattered most was how they transformed those influences into something powerful and new.

Blackmore’s comments may spark debate, but they also shine a light on the blurred lines between inspiration, tribute, and plagiarism in rock’s formative years.