Purple were finally confirmed for induction for this year - although frontman Ian Gillan slammed organizers for leaving current members Steve Morse and Don Airey out of the lineup to be listed.

Blackmore's statement says: "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'..........!!!!!