The band were honored at the event alongside fellow inductees Cheap Trick, Steve Miller, Chicago and N.W.A. The Rock Hall chose to induct most of Deep Purple's first three lineups, including Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Jon Lord, Ian Paice, Rod Evans, David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes.

Blackmore did not attend the ceremony following word that the present day lineup of the group refused to perform with former members at the event. "Obviously, as you know from the post here," wrote Blackmore on his Facebook page, "I have my reason for not attending the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, although I appreciate the award.

"However, I do think that they should've given an award to Joe Lynn Turner for when he was in Deep Purple for his singing and writing on 'Slaves And Masters' - a great record, one of my favorites."