According to The RAINBOW Fanclan Legacy, Gary M. Entler and Brent A. Soileau have created a petition named The Induct Ritchie Blackmore Into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. They wrote the following text for this petition:

To: Fans of Ritchie Blackmore

Ritchie Blackmore is one of the most influential guitarists in the history of rock music. He has inspired generations of musicians who exist today and those yet to be born with the classic riff from " Smoke on the Water."

Ritchie has played guitar for such legends as GENE VINCENT, JERRY LEE LEWIS, and SCREAMING LORD SUTCH and was a founding member and guitarist for two of Rock and Roll's most dynamic bands, DEEP PURPLE and Rainbow. Those two bands exhibited the finest musicianship that Rock has to offer while selling out major venues and millions upon millions of records worldwide. Deep Purple alone, led by Ritchie's blazing guitar style, is credited with record sales of over 100 million albums. Rainbow continued Ritchie's Deep Purple tradition in sales, musical virtuosity, and lasting musical influence.

Blackmore is listed in Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time and was one of the first guitarists to combine blues scales and phrases with minor scales and ideas from European classical music. His resulting style has been referred to as 'neo-classical' and has been emulated by many modern guitarists. Many prominent musicians of today credit Ritchie Blackmore as a main influence. Just read an interview! EDDIE VAN HALEN, JOE SATRIANI, JON PETRUCCI, STEVE VAI, ERIC JOHNSON, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN as well as bands like IRON MAIDEN, SAXON, DEF LEPPARD, JUDAS PRIEST, THE SCORPIONS...the list goes on and on !

Today, Ritchie explores his cultural roots in a band called BLACKMORE'S NIGHT, a medieval-inspired effort that calls Ritchie back to his love of Renaissance music and exposes rock fans to exciting new music that successfully integrates his signature guitar style into traditional Western music. Ritchie has and continues to inspire and entertain millions worldwide for over forty years.

Ritchie deserves a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. If you agree, and feel as motivated, please sign this Petition to be sent to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation to demand the inclusion of this innovative and unique rock artist in its ranks.

You can sign the petition here.