Ritchie Blackmore has reportedly been banned from Deep Purple’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.

According to an update on his official Facebook: “Ritchie was honored by the offer of induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was discussing the possibility of attending, until we received correspondence from the president of the Rock Hall of Fame, who said that Bruce Payne, management for the current Deep Purple touring band, had said "No"..........!!!!!" Therefore Ritchie will not be attending the ceremony. He sincerely thanks all the fans that voted for him for their support.”



Metallica’s Lars Ulrich has been added as guest at the 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in New York. Ulrich will most likely induct Deep Purple, as both he and James Hetfield have been pushing for the influential hard rock band to be inducted for years.

Deep Purple have been eligible for more than 20 years. The complete list of current and former members who are being inducted includes Ritchie Blackmore, David Coverdale, Rod Evans, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Glenn Hughes, Ian Paice and the late Jon Lord.

Long overdue inductees Cheap Trick, Chicago, and Steve Miller, along with hip-hop act N.W.A are also part of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame class of 2016. The five acts, along with other honorees to be announced later, will be part of the 31st annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on April 8th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. HBO will film the ceremony for broadcast later in the spring. Tickets will go on sale to the public during February, with Rock Hall members receiving early access to a limited number of tickets.