2008 is proving to be another highly successful year in the remarkable career of Joe Lynn Turner. Not only has he released what is actually his first ever live solo album Live In Germany (Frontiers Records), he has performed for the troops in the Middle East, and been busy touring.
In fact the former Rainbow and Deep Purple front man has been so busy that I was extremely grateful that he took some time out to answer some questions.
It's been quite a year for you. I have just reviewed the Live In Germany CD, recorded last year, and really enjoyed it. It was great to hear your voice in typically excellent form. Isn't that your first 'solo' live album? If it is it definitely plugs a gap!
Thank you for your kind words and yes, it is my first live solo disc. I have other live albums with other bands and projects.
I see that you perfomed with Big Noize for the troops in the Middle East. How did that come about and how did they enjoy it? (I'd like to say thanks for going out there too - what they are doing puts our day to day lives in the shade.)
My manager, Mark Wexler, and I started to look into this when our troops first went to Iraq. I had wanted to do a USO tour and they already had artists lined up, so we found a way to go via being booked by the Dept. of Defense here in the USA. It was a life changing experience. The soldiers were a very gracious, rock and roll audience and we were glad we could give them a break from their work in what is definitely a “hellhole.”
Our Troops are doing great things in Iraq, they are on a re-building mission and helping the Iraqi people. In fact, several Iraqi people jumped over a fence to attend one of our shows. It was surreal and exciting to communicate in the universal language of music.
Did you get any time with the troops themselves? Did they let you loose on any equipment?
Yes and yes! We flew in C130, C17, and C5 aircraft which was our main type of transport. Chinook helicopters, Apache, Blackhawk. We flew in the simulators and I guess I really have a knack to become a pilot because a lot of guys said I was a natural at flying and they do not say this to everyone. We got to ride in so many land vehicles. New humvees, Canons, I could go on and on.
Fantastic, sounds like a great experience. As you say, that is the power of music and for the guys to have such a major name come and visit must have meant a lot to them. Anyway how did Big Noize come about?
Article comments
1 - DiceMan
Joe Lynn Turner is from Jersey, not Europe. fire your fact checker
2 - Christopher Rose
Could somebody point out where it says JLT is from Europe?
Worried Europeans want to know!
3 - Jordan "Boss" Richardson
I don't think it says that, Christopher. I think DiceMan needs to fire his reader.
4 - Jeff Perkins
Thanks everyone - I linked the interview to my review of the album 'Live In Germany' which starts with:- 'Despite the fact that he was born in New Jersey, I am going to try and present a case for including Joe Lynn Turner's latest live CD in the 'Eurorock' section!' - I was having a bit of fun with the Deep Purple, Rainbow, Live in Germany angle - In the interview itself he talks of where he comes from when discussing the first time he played Madison Square Garden in NYC.
Hope you enjoyed the interview anyway. Thanks again for reading it and taking the time to reply.
Best wishes, Jeff
5 - El Bicho
got to side with Dice. this should go in your new column Jerseyrock
6 - Jeff
Thanks. I thought that people might have some comments about the actual interview - not what column it is in.