Ian Gillan, the lead singer of the rock band Deep Purple, declined a £1 million offer to perform in Moscow because it would have required sharing the stage with former guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. The two musicians, who have a longstanding personal and professional rift, have not performed together since Blackmore’s departure from the band in 1993.

The offer was reportedly made by Yuri Luzhkov, who served as mayor of Moscow from 1992 to 2010. Gillan recounted that Luzhkov was insistent on the condition that the performance include Blackmore, and described a tense encounter with the former mayor. According to Gillan, Luzhkov approached him forcefully in a bar, even grabbing him by the throat as part of his effort to secure the band’s appearance in Red Square.

When asked whether he would ever consider performing again with Blackmore, Gillan firmly rejected the possibility, saying the offer had been made multiple times in the past but was always turned down. He emphasized that the personal conflict between the two remains unresolved, leaving no room for collaboration despite the financial incentives.

Ritchie Blackmore, who is now 81, left Deep Purple in the early 1990s after a falling-out with other band members. Ian Gillan, 80, has maintained that he will never share the stage with the guitarist again, underscoring the enduring nature of their estrangement.

The proposed Moscow concert would have marked a significant reunion of sorts, but Gillan’s refusal underscores the lasting impact of the personal and professional disagreements within the band. The incident highlights ongoing tensions as well as the challenges of navigating legacy acts where former members remain at odds.