Blackmore's Night

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Blackmore's Night is a Renaissance-inspired Folk Rock band led by Ritchie Blackmore (Electric and Acoustic Guitars) and Candice Night (lyricist and lead vocals).

1 The Band's History
2 Discography
3 Band members
- 3.1 Former members
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] The Band's History

The origins of the band lie in 1990 when Candice was working at a local New York rock music radio station, and as part of her work first encountered Ritchie, then with Deep Purple, at a soccer game in which he was playing. The two became romantically entwined and discovered that they shared a passionate interest in the Renaissance.

After leaving Deep Purple in 1993 and recording an album as Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow called Stranger in Us All in 1995, on which Candice contributed backing vocals and some of the lyrics, Ritchie became interested in the idea of bringing Renaissance music to a contemporary audience. The effervescent personality of Candice and her singing talent made her the natural choice as "frontwoman". In 1997 the pair were ready to launch the band, the name being a pun of their own names, and which would consist of themselves plus session musicians.

Debut album Shadow of the Moon was an instant success, most notably in Europe. In subsequent albums, particularly Fires at Midnight, there was an increased incorporation of rock guitar into the music, whilst maintaining a folk rock direction. Over time, Candice has increasingly participated instrumentally as well as singing the vocals, and is competent in a wide variety of Renaissance instruments.

The group performs at Renaissance Fairs and Renaissance Festivals, as well as in stand-alone concert tours in appropriate venues including 'castle tours' of Europe, where they perform in historic surroundings for an audience dressed largely in period costume. The band has been successful enough to inspire a tribute band called Renaissance Night.

[edit] Discography

Albums:

Live Albums:

Past Times with Good Company (2002)

Compilation Albums:

Beyond the Sunset: The Romantic Collection (2004)

Live DVDs:

Castles and Dreams (2005)

[edit] Band members

Ritchie Blackmore - guitars, mandolin, domra
Candice Night - vocals, horn, flute
Bard David of Larchmont (David Baranowski) - keyboards
Sisters of the Moon: Lady Madeline and Lady Nancy (Madeline and Nancy Posner) - backing vocals
Squire Malcolm of Lumley (Malcolm Dick) - drums