Deep Purple Hired a 23-Year-Old to Replace Ritchie Blackmore. Here's What Happened

In 1975, Ritchie Blackmore walked out of Deep Purple and everyone assumed the band was finished. Instead, they made one of the most overlooked albums of the entire decade. This is the story of *Come Taste the Band*, Tommy Bolin, and how one of rock's greatest what-ifs ended in tragedy. Tommy Bolin was 23 years old, obscenely talented, and carrying a heroin addiction that would ultimately cost him everything. Deep Purple's Mark IV lineup lasted barely a year, made one album, survived one disastrous tour, and then fell apart completely. Bolin was dead by December 1976 at just 25 years old. This is the full story, the lineup change nobody expected, the album that deserved way better, and the slow-motion collapse that nobody could stop. 🎸 Come Taste the Band is worth your time. So is Tommy Bolin. #DeepPurple #TommyBolin #ComeTasteTheBand #ClassicRock #RockHistory #RitchieBlackmore #HardRock #RockDocumentary #LostLegends #70sRock CONTACT INFORMATION jpc522@yahoo.com *FAIR USE* Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.