According to Consequence.net, Ritchie Blackmore joined Deep Purple on stage for the first time in 33 years at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York, on Wednesday night. The guitarist reunited with his former band for a sizzling rendition of “Smoke on the Water.” Blackmore co-founded Deep Purple in 1968, but did not perform with the band since exiting in 1993. In a video released ahead of Wednesday’s appearance, Blackmore explained that not only would he be joining Deep Purple for the first time in decade, but it would mark his first time playing rock music of any kind in many years.

“So, that’s gonna be interesting,” he said. “I have not played rock music in 25 years, actually. It’ll be good to see the old guys again. I think we’ll all be on crutches and wheelchairs and things, although I think the rest of them are okay. But, yes, it’s kind of frightening. I haven’t played rock in 25 years… I’ve been playing acoustic guitar for 25 years, and at first I was very uncomfortable playing it, but I got used to it, and now I’m used to playing the acoustic more so than the electric.”