Turner's first major band was Fandango. They released 4 albums between 1977 and 1980. After they broke up, Turner got a call out of the blue from Ritchie Blackmore asking him to audition for Rainbow. After Turner joined the band, they had their greatest commercial success with the hit singles "Stone Cold" and "Street Of Dreams". After 3 albums with Turner as the lead singer, Rainbow disbanded because Ritchie Blackmore reformed the legendary group Deep Purple.
After Rainbow Turner released a solo album in 1985. He also appeared as a backup singer on many pop albums during that era, including Michael Bolton, Cher, Billy Joel, Bonnie Tyler, Mick Jones, Taylor Dayne, and John Waite.
In 1988 Turner joined guitar virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force and recorded the album Odyssey. A couple of years later, he joined former bandmate Ritchie Blackmore in Deep Purple. After one album with Turner the group rehired Ian Gillen as the lead singer.
Since then, Turner has appeared on numerous tribute CDs, has worked with Brazen Abbot, Mother's Army, is a member of the Voices of Classic Rock, and has released several solo albums.
He's a busy man, and a great interview. We talked about his latest projects, and delved into the past to his Fandango, Rainbow and Deep Purple days.
Chad Bowar: How did the Hughes Turner Project album come about?
Joe Lynn Turner: Glenn and I have known each other for over 20 years, and actually wrote some songs when we were in England together and in L.A. together, but we never did anything seriously. I put out a solo album called Holy Man about three years back. I was in Japan doing a promotional tour and I needed an English speaking bass player to sing backup because the other three guys I was working with were Japanese musicians. I tried originally to get Greg Smith, who plays on JLT albums, but he was out with Alice Cooper at the time. We called him Little Glenn Hughes because of the similarity, so I said why don't we get Big Glenn Hughes? I called him that night, and he said, for you I'll do it.
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