Ritchie Blackmore's "return to rock" sounds like it's going to be every bit as brief as he originally promised.

The guitarist's surprising decision to put together a handful of shows with a rejiggered Rainbow lineup has left some fans hoping he might feel the itch to keep going for a new album or full-fledged tour. But during a recent interview with SpazioRock, Blackmore dismissed that notion unequivocally.

"No," he flatly stated in response to the question of a Rainbow tour (via Classic Rock Magazine). "Also, there will not be any new studio album. I thought I’d just get back to playing the old songs one more time. My commitment lies with Blackmore’s Night – this is just a few dates for fun."

Blackmore also shrugged off criticism of his decision to put together a Rainbow lineup lacking members from the group's best-loved incarnations, saying, "I’m not a big fan of names. I believe in playing with good musicians rather than famous people."

Without ever committing to anything specific, Blackmore had previously left the door open for future Rainbow shows. "If it works, we’ll do, obviously, more dates," he was quoted as saying late last year. "We’re only doing three this first time. But, like I said, if it works, we’ll do more later on."

After wrapping the Rainbow dates, Blackmore will head right back out on the road with Blackmore's Night, who have European shows scheduled for July before they head to the U.S. for a handful of concerts in August. The band's touring in support of its most recent album, 2015's All Our Yesterdays.

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