WHO IS BEHIND MBTP AND WHY WAS IT STARTED?

When Ritchie Blackmore walked off stage with Deep Purple in Helsinki on Nov 17 1993, fanzines that had previously championed or reported on his work simply started to ignore it. When he returned to the stage two years later with a new version of Rainbow, Blackmore was playing as well as ever, yet the UK press and fan magazines by and large ignored his activities. There was only one thing to do, enter MBTP. 

Mark Welch & Jerry Bloom started the magazine in 1996. Jerry had mentioned several times to Mark of his intentions to start a magazine devoted to Ritchie. Whenever Mark enquired if the wheels had been put in motion, he always got the same reply; "I need to get a computer first!"

Then Mark called Jerry one day to tell him he had started compiling the first issue and consequently became the editor, with Jerry as sub-editor.  
In July 2000 due to Mark's ever increasing commitments elsewhere, it was agreed that Jerry would become the new editor with Mark as the deputy. 

By the middle of 2002 Mark stepped down completely and a new sub-editor was appointed- Alan Whitman. 

Alan is another long-standing Blackmore fan of over twenty five years and was responsible for the excellent Record Collector interview done with Ritchie in 1998.  

WHY CALL IT MORE BLACK THAN PURPLE?

Initially Jerry suggested Blacker than Purple as a way of indicating what we and many others felt; that Blackmore was the driving force behind Deep Purple and the major creative contributor. (We still think that!) Mark then suggested More Black than Purple and it made us both chuckle when it was initially said, it seemed suitable, so we stuck with it. 

is it a fanzine or a MAGAZINE?

Though some people like to refer to it as a fanzine, MBTP is a fully fledged magazine. Although the early issues, were not fantastically laid out, it has always been produced in A4 format on glossy art paper and since 2001 it has also been in full colour. MBTP has an ISSN number with copies held at the British Library.  More Black than Purple is distributed to over 20 countries and is available on subscription and in the UK it is also available from selected retailers via Worldwide Magazine Distribution Ltd. Let your local retailer know if you would like to see the magazine available in your local store.

WHAT IS COVERED WITHIN THE MAGAZINE?

Its primary objective was, and still is, to act as a forum & information service (we don't consider it as a fan club!) & to report on the current exploits of the highly creative and fresh musical output of the ‘Man In Black.’

But MBTP also looks in detail at all facets of Blackmore's wonderful career, from the early days with Lord Sutch, Joe Meek etc through the obviously highly influential days of Deep Purple & Rainbow. Each issue we try and include a cross section of items from various eras of Blackmore's career, including interviews, either with the man himself or those who have at some point been associated with him,

The advantage that MBTP has had over other publications is the close contact with the Blackmore management. This has enabled us to do such things as a ‘questions & answers’ session with Ritchie (published in issue 2). We were also involved with the Record Collector interview published in 1998 & only the full-unexpurgated version was published within MBTP (issues 9 & 10).  

Over the years, exclusive interviews with the likes of Cozy Powell, Joe Lynn Turner, Graham Bonnet, as well as with the man himself, have regularly appeared within the pages. In addition to this, regular features including CD reviews, letters page, technical columns, and a spot of reminiscing by fans in our series ‘My First Blackmore Gig’ help to make up each issue.   

There are regular retro features as well, in some cases whole magazines devoted to particular eras of Blackmore’s long and illustrious career. 

ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT 

MBTP encourages participation that would be of interest to readers, either with written works or from supplying your personal photos. Please note any writings should be your own original work. Photos should only be sent if you have the copyright on them and should adhere to the following guidelines: 
 
If they are digital send them on a disc, and send in original format as they were taken. DON'T RESIZE!

If they are standard 35mm prints then we suggest you take copies from the negatives unless you want them returned. If you have facilities to scan prints then contact us first to ensure they are scanned as required.  
 
All items are submitted on a voluntary basis and please state clearly if you want your items returned.