Joe Lynn Turner
Press Conference

15.09.2010

Joe Lynn Turner is a man who needs no introduction. The legendary singer who have worked with some of the bands that changed the face of rock music is well known to any fan of hard rock. It may seem that multiple interviews Joe has given to the Russian media over the past few years have covered all the aspects of his career that are of interest to the public, but at the press conference that Joe attended before his latest gig in Moscow, when he played at the new venue called 8.5 Dollars, there was room for both informative communication and jokes in Joe’s trademark manner. But is hard to retell, we suggest that you read it all yourselves…

We would like to know about the current situation with Over The Rainbow. Will you release something with this project?

Yeah. We are very concerned about our future. We have written one track, but it’s very difficult to record more tracks because of our schedules. The biggest problem is schedules, but I hope the next year we will release the complete CD or EP.

You have planned a tour in Japan, which is called “Voices Of Rainbow”. Can you tell us more about this project?

Well, all I know is that it will feature Graham Bonnet with Alcatrazz. He is trying to develop Alcatrazz again. Also myself playing with Akira Kajiyama and we have Doogie White as a special guest. I think we will sing something like a tribute to Ronnie Dio.

Will it be only in Japan?

As far as I know, it will be only in Japan, but we have got an e-mail from a Brazilian promoter, he is trying to take us to Brazil as well. But right now it’s all I know about “Voices Of Rainbow”.

You are always touring with different bands, but don’t you want to put together your own cast of musicians?

Of course I thought about it, but the problem with any bands that come over is that you’ll have to pay a lot of money on visas, tickets, hotels, food, transportation… and the list goes on. To bring the band over from America will be very expensive on every level. That’s possible if I have a solo tour playing only my songs, maybe it will come true in the future.

What if it will be a non-American band?

Maybe I will go further. The reason why I like to use different bands in each country because it expands my musical horizon. And it shows respect to musicians of those countries. Of course it has economical causes.

Recently you opened your Facebook account and a Twitter account. Will they be maintained by yourself?

It is very difficult for me, because I work so much. But I have a stuff of people whom I send my words by e-mail. That’s why I pay them good money to take my words into these pages. I am not a kind of artist who believes that you should know when I go to the toilet or eat a sandwich. I think it’s extremely stupid.

When will you play the next concert in Moscow?

Tonight, in a few minutes it will start. (everybody laughs)

And after that show?

Well, it will be a private party in September. I really want to do a show in Moscow that will be completely different. And perhaps it will be all solo songs, some acoustic. Now the problem is that I am working all the time. And it’s difficult to create this program, cause it will take time to be prepared. But it will happen.

On the “Second Hand Life” album you recorded one song from an unreleased album b y Deep Purple. What about other songs? Will you release them?

I believe so, yes. Ritchie specifically e-mailed me to do “Stroke Of Midnight” on my album. It was outstanding for Ritchie! He doesn’t do such things usually, it’s not his way. That song has a signature Blackmore riff and Jim Peterick from Survivor also took part in its recording. There was another song he wanted me to do was actually called… Well, working title is “On The Radio” or “Lonely For Years”, something like that. But I couldn’t find my lyrics! Later I started to dig through years of paper, so I found a rough draft of it. And now I think I can record this song.

What do you think about Russian musicians that worked with you some time ago?

We played at Apelsin club, right? They were amazing. If you remember the live show it was fantastic! These guys are top musicians! Here in Russia all musicians are great. Today we have got the band Flame from Belarus.

I am from Ukraine. Today you have mentioned Moscow twice, but didn’t say a word about Kiev. This city also has your fans! Are you going to visit Kiev and have you ever been to Ukraine?

(with rolling eyes) I’ve just come back from the Ukraine… The last time we have been to Ochakov and Odessa also. We also played with Over The Rainbow in Ukraine.

Joe Lynn Turner on the Internet: http://www.joelynnturner.com

Special thanks to Top Art and Maria Nikolskaya for accreditations to the press conference

Compiled and edited by Sergei “BoBr” Bobrik
Photos by Alexander “SUMRAK” Nefedov
August 27, 2010
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