Ritchie Blackmore is not a guitarist like the others. Fascinated by mysticism and esotericism, he has always surrounded himself with an air of mystery, while establishing himself as one of rock guitar’s absolute reference points.
That taste for the enigmatic also shaped the story of his most famous riff. For years, Blackmore claimed that “Smoke on the Water” was nothing more than the start of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony — played backwards.
Beethoven backwards: really?
The idea is an appealing one: a dark knight of rock drawing inspiration from the greatest classical composer in history. It makes for a fine story. But on closer inspection, the comparison does not quite stand up.
So is this a cultivated myth or a sincere conviction? Both are possible. But another, much more unexpected lead deserves attention.
Brazil enters the story
The riff’s origin may in fact lie much closer to the present day on the timeline — and in a much more exotic place. The trail leads to Brazil, and to the voice of Brazil’s most famous singer: Astrud Gilberto.
Her track “Maria Quiet”, released five years before “Smoke on the Water”, bears a striking resemblance to Blackmore’s riff. Coincidence? A conscious or unconscious inspiration? The mystery remains unresolved to this day.
Beethoven or Astrud Gilberto: you decide
One thing is certain: when it comes to guitar legend, citing Beethoven as a source of inspiration is much more rock than admitting a debt to a Brazilian bossa nova song.
Ritchie Blackmore has always known how to look after his image. And as for this mystery, he does not seem in any hurry to solve it. Listen to the podcast — and form your own opinion.