Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore performed with his former band Deep Purple for the first time since 1993.

Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore performed with his former rock band Deep Purple at a concert at New York's Jones Beach Wednesday night.

"A big moment in rock history," the group posted on X alongside photos of Blackmore, 81, back on stage.

"Ritchie Blackmore joins Deep Purple at Jones Beach to play Smoke on the Water once again."

Formed in 1968 in London by Blackmore, Rod Evans, Nick Simper, Jon Lord and Ian Paice, the band is known for hits such as "Highway Star," "Child in Time," "Hush," "Speed King" and "Burn."

Blackmore left the band in 1975 and, although the group officially broke up the following year, it has reunited several times to record and perform.

Blackmore last collaborated with them in 1993.

The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016, but Blackmore did not attend the ceremony.

Long-time Deep Purple member Ian Gillen said at the end of Wednesday's reunion: "A couple of days ago I got a message from a local lad... saying, 'I only live around the corner, do you mind if I come and jam with you?'

"It was an absolute pleasure to have back on stage the founding member, the great legend, the immortal Ritchie Blackmore. Thanks, Ritchie. i have to say, it was a great pleasure. I'll see you in the bar."