It's been said by seemingly everyone that ever met that Ritchie Blackmore that he was a tricky chap to get along with, let alone work with. But those same people will also attest that Blackmore was one of the greatest guitarists ever to strap on a Strat. Great, Pioneer, Maverick and Icon are words that all to often bandied about without due care and attention - but feel free to use them whenever discussing the greatest thing to come out of Somerset since cold cider on a summer's day. And you know that Gillan was a rock vocalist of the VERY highest calibre. And let's face it, Lord, Paice, Glover were all top drawer too.