BLACK KNIGHT 
(the first ever unauthorised Ritchie Blackmore biography) 

Read what the press and other reviewers say;

"Do you and / or Ritchie have a view of this unauthorised biography by Jerry Bloom that has come out? 
Nick Hannant, Worcester, England. 

As far as Mr Bloom's book, ah yes, yet another unauthorised biography. He doesn't know anyone on the "inner circle" of people and it's basically the same information that has come out in other books and magazines- mostly people speculating, so we tend not to waste our time on items like that."  
Candice Night, from her website! (If Candice feels the need to criticise it you know it must be good!) 
N.B: With over 50 interviews conducted with band members, roadies, friends, record company execs etc, it's far more than basically the same information!

This is an absolute must-have book for any/ all Blackmore fans. Very well written and put together; very hard to put down. In addition, great pictures, as well. Bloom's book may be "unauthorized" but, do you really think The Man In Black will ever participate in an AUTHORISED book? That said, Bloom does a brilliant job in locating and interviewing many of Blackmore's musical cohorts...and he DID interview Blackmore, formally and informally, several times; this is NO generic volume...far from it (a lot of great information that I, a confirmed Blackmore aficionado for over quarter of a century, did not know of. Bloom never takes the easy way out and goes into great detail many times). I cannot see how this superb volume could be better. I can't say it enough---outstanding job!!!! This book is soooooo readable and enjoyable...get this asap! 
Vince Palamara, customer review on Amazon.com 

I have just finished reading your book on Ritchie Blackmore and although not being one for generally bothering to write to other authors regarding their books or producers works I felt I should let you know how much I have enjoyed reading this one!
It really has been a enlightening and enjoyable read, this is certainly a book that anyone remotely interested in guitar playing, Deep Purple and of course the Man himself should purchase and read. Once you pick it up you cant put it down. For me it has certainly filled a few interesting gaps in his career.
I'm a person who frequently has 3 or 4 books on the go ...I started this and the others hit the back bench pronto!. I hope you do well with this and it inspires you to write more. Congratulations.
Robert M Corich, sound engineer (Uriah Heep), and author

Black Knight is the best book of Ritchie Blackmore, Rainbow or Deep Purple by far, and I've read them all! It is a thoroughly comprehensive, well-written book, full of a plethora of great information. Jerry Bloom is a fantastic writer, keeping you reading until the very end. It is hard to put this book down. And it is quite long but never boring. Over 400 pages and numerous photos. Maybe it's because I live in the USA but a lot of the information was quite shocking as I've never heard of that side of Ritchie.
For instance, I didn't know that Blackmore was such a groupie favourite. Literally hundreds of them. But I don't want to ruin all the surprises. If you're looking for a good read about one of the legends of rock music, buy this book. You will not be disappointed. 
Customer review on Amazon.com 

Jerry Bloom (known from the More Black Than Purple magazine) has written a fascinating, excellent unauthorised biography on The Man In Black; Ritchie Blackmore. Jerry located many names who were involved with Ritchie Blackmore in the past and came up with many exclusive stories and details. It gives so much more insight of Ritchie's pre-Deep Purple period in the 60's, much more than ever has been written down. But also the Purple and Rainbow years reveal many more new stories in this book, Great read and a must buy for every Ritchie Blackmore fan... 5 out of 5, almost would give it 6 out of 5, it's just that good.  
Rainbow FanClan website

This new book on Ritchie Blackmore comes without the approval or involvement of the man himself. To work round this Jerry Bloom has tackled relatives, people on the fringe, road crew and ex-band members. The result is a lot of new material and detail, plus a solid telling of the Blackmore story from his childhood onwards, over some 350 pages (+ the usual discography and picture section). Away from the main narrative, there is also a lot of colourful detail from people on the scene covering various goings on which add spice to the story and are the sort of tales fans (who, let's face it, know the basic chronology well enough already) enjoy discovering and on that basis I have little hesitation in recommending it to anyone with an interest in the Man In Black.  
Deep Purple Appreciation Society

Jerry Bloom's excellent book at almost 400 pages long, is a fascinating read. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down.
Mark Newson, editor, Thunderbolt magazine

Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed 'Black Knight'. I'd been looking forward to this book coming out and I was not disappointed. A fascinating insight into the man himself and a cracking rock read. I will certainly recommend it to every fellow rocker I know. 
Philip Differ, freelance writer
 
Here's a well written biography surrounding the life of former Deep Purple and Rainbow guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. If you did not know much about the man prior to reading the book this insight will certainly give you a better impression of a moody man with a brilliant talent. In fact within the book it does state that he is "moody, shy and very honest which a lot of people can't take." Something that comes up over and over again in the book.

His constant turn round of musicians and blinkered attitude, once he has his teeth in something, is brought to the fore and with interviews with most of his former colleagues you soon form your own impression.
It announces the unusual too, like his near collaboration with Abba's Agnetha Faltskog and his love of Abba music. He eventually let this seep in to his Rainbow music as they became more pop rock, Ritchie wanting to influence postmen to whistle on their bicycles!

The man in black worked with many colourful characters, many of which may come as a surprise: Screaming Lord Sutch, Joe Meek, Gene Vincent, Jerry Lee Lewis, Freddie Starr and even Tom Jones in his early days. However it is his love-hate relationship with Purple's Ian Gillan that brings much to the imagination as they clashed and then stood off each other often not talking. There is more including his constant practical jokes, his love of football, his interest in the spiritual world, his three marriages and his eventual drift in to the medieval music of Blackmore's Night. There is much more to this rock giant than meets the eye and that is why this is an essential read for any fan of classic rock. 
Classic Rock Society magazine, Nov / Dec issue 
 
Blackmore's reputation for being difficult is almost on a par with his achievements in the world of rock, so the prospect of a book on the man in certainly inviting. Through past interviews with the press and eyewitness accounts his story is told - from the days in Screaming Lord Sutch's band, through the incarnations of Deep Purple and Rainbow to life as a minstrel in Blackmore's Night. Bloom doesn't get cooperation from the Man In Black but there are enough stories and insights here to satisfy both fans and the mildly curious. And it doesn't seem likely that the muse himself will ever pen his own tale so this might be the closest you'll get. 
Guitarist magazine, November issue 
 
****Four star review****   
Inside the world of the moody guitar genius.

Editor of the More Black Than Purple fanzine, Bloom is well placed to probe the temperamental guitar genius' mind and his body of work. He traces Blackmore's musical and familial development in airy fashion, from his work with Lord Sutch and other pre-Beatles scenesters, to his years with The Outlaws, Wild Ones, Crusaders and The Roman Empire. Contemporary press, colleagues and Blackmore himself are cited, recreating Hamburg and London's touring and recording worlds, before fame and fortune set in.

The ins and outs of their leap from Acton flat to the Dorchester are charted in often amusing and enlightening fashion, before the rise and rise of Purple through to 1975. Tales of triumph and tragedy are related from a Blackmore-oriented perspective, leading to his formation of Rainbow. That band's rocky road to chart stardom by the late 70s, and demise by 1984, precede the Purple reunion, fratricide by 1993 and another stab at Rainbow, before his latter-day minstrelsy. It can't explain every twist in the Tap-like tale, but we get as close to understanding the man behind the practical jokes, stage huffs and the penchant for castles as ever before. A discography and filmography wrap up the release minutiae. 
Record Collector, January 2007 issue 
 
You really should be very proud of your work. I knew you would do a great job but this is outstanding, I've read it three times! I also sent a copy to Carol Hynson who runs my website and she loved it, so great stuff.
Mick Underwood, drummer with Ritchie in The Outlaws www.mickunderwood.com 
 
Jerry Bloom explores in this book the 'unexpected sides to this complex man'. Here at Planet Rock HQ, we reckon it's a damn good read. 
Planet Rock Radio http://www.planetrock.com/ 
 
Recommended reading. 
Geoff Barton, Classic Rock magazine website 
 
If you're a fan of Ritchie Blackmore. Don't argue, just buy it. You won't regret it! 
Customer review on Amazon.co.uk 5/5
 
This is a masterpiece, I can't put it down. The section on his sixties career especially fascinating. Makes you release just how much he has achieved. (Plus gives insight into his drive/single mindedness to achieve) Even 2-3 years prior to DP starting seems he was viewed as one of the greatest guitarist in the country if not the world. When you think since then he has done DP twice with various line ups, plus 10 years of Rainbow, Blackmore's Night it is just an amazing career!
Peter Mair, Highway Star website 
 
Long overdue! I've been a fan of Ritchie since the Purple, Rainbow days and still enjoy his work with Blackmore's Night. He is a character that you often hear rumours about little stories and such. This eases all of that curiosity. It's a very well written and researched history of Ritchie. It draws on interviews of people who worked with him and also a lot of material contributed by Ritchie himself (although it is an unofficial biography). 
I really enjoyed this book and if you want to know more about some of those little stories; like the guy who threw the flash cube or his fascination with spirits, or him showing up Alvin Lee (one of my favourite bits!) Highly recommended. 
Kevin Brennan, customer review on Amazon.co.uk 5/5  
 
Blackmore is a notoriously secretive character and in "Black Knight" Jerry Bloom has done a good job of pulling together almost everything that is available in one way or another without formal input from TMIB himself. This includes a range of magazine reviews, a generous helping of personal stories from ex-band members, friends and management plus some of his own anecdotes as an acquaintance of Blackmore's. He suggests he is a friend of Blackmore's so clearly, if he values that friendship, which I'm sure he does, then what's in the book must be pretty reliable. The book is a balanced account of Blackmore's 50 odd years of making music. Each period is dealt with in equal detail. I for one found the early years covering his late teens and early twenties as engrossing as the more famous 1969-1981 period. All the ups and downs from the Rainbow years are well documented and often very funny. They include comments from many of those who didn't cut the mustard and got the bullet - some before they ever appeared on record. I don't think Bloom has fudged anything - most of what's there seems to stack up and cross-reference with other information available. Bloom is well informed as the editor of one of Blackmore's key fanzines for many years - so he avoids the obvious and well-ploughed narrative. 
A good read - I got into trouble with the missis for not being able to put it down - even when the kids were screaming. 
S Foster, customer review on Amazon.co.uk  

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