Blackmore's Night Duo To Be Inducted Into LI Music And Entertainment Hall Of Fame

STONY BROOK, NY — The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF), in coordination with earMUSIC, is set to induct Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night of Blackmore’s Night into the LIMEHOF at 7 p.m. May 13. The hall of fame is at 97 Main St., Stony Brook.

Night will accept the induction on behalf of Blackmore’s Night as Ritchie will not be able to attend.Night will also celebrate the release of her new album, Sea Glass. She will give a solo, live performance of three songs from her new album prior to her induction into the LIMEHOF.

"I am so honored to be inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame," Night, a Hauppauge native, said in a news release. "Being surrounded by some of the greatest musicians, knowing we all have the same roots here is an incredible feeling. I've lived on Long Island my whole life and am constantly inspired by the energy here and the beauty of our nature. The imagery is a constant focus in my songs. I'm looking forward to a special night celebrating my new solo CD, Sea Glass, and also to inducting our band, Blackmore’s Night, into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame. So grateful for this opportunity.”

Night and Blackmore met on Long Island and have strong ties to the community. Blackmore, a legendary guitarist who played in Deep Purple and Rainbow, grew up in the United Kingdom and moved to the USA in 1974, moving to Huntington in the 1980s.

Night grew up in Hauppauge and is a lifetime Long Island resident and a graduate of NYIT in Old Westbury. While interning at WBAB in West Babylon in 1989, she met Blackmore at a charity soccer game where Deep Purple played against the station’s DJ’s and Staff.

After the game, Night asked Ritchie for his autograph and the two became friends, later developing into more. They started living together in 1993 and co-founded Blackmore’s Night in 1997. They continue to live on the North Shore while raising their family.

They have been very involved in many local charity efforts and community events across Long Island including Save a Pet in Port Jefferson, STAR animal rehabilitation, Little Shelter in Huntington, and the North Shore Animal League. They have raised funds, awareness and supplies for them and set up donation booths over the years at every Blackmore's Night show, even hosting adopting events at their concerts for some.

Night started singing at Lillian Carans Little Theater Workshop in Smithtown and has recorded music at Richie Cannatas Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove with local producer/engineer Brendan Keenan. Night was also the Snow Queen in the Dickens Festival at Port Jefferson for two years, including receiving the first artist in residence award.

"In recorded and live performances, Long Island's Blackmore's Night has been thrilling and entertaining audiences all around the world for nearly three decades," said LIMEHOF co-founder Norm Prusslin. "Blending renaissance melodies, instrumentals, and folk-rock original songs into a style uniquely their own, Blackmore's Night is beloved by their fans for their exceptional musicianship, extraordinary vocals, and legendary performances. Blackmore’s Night’s induction into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame recognizes and honors their artistry, creativity and legacy."

A limited number of tickets will be available to LIMEHOF members and the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets will cost $50 and can be purchased here.