Joe Lynn Turner Calls Rainbow Reunion A ‘Cheap Imitation’

Once bands call their quits, more often than not, there are talks about a possible reunion. In the grand scheme of things, it is usually a big deal for the bands, but sometimes it becomes a sticky situation that results in a big uproar. For instance, Rainbow’s reunion was more of a let-down for Joe Lynn Turner as it didn’t have any original members to carry the band’s legacy other than Ritchie Blackmore. Here’s what Turner had to say about the so-called reunion during an interview with Classic Album Review.

“Yeah, you know my comments have already come out with that,” Turner said, referring to his previous negative statements about the Rainbow union. “And I think most people agree with me, but at the same time, I’m not looking for agreement. My opinion is that it was a let-down because the legacy is very important; at least, it was to me, and it is to me.”

When Blackmore came back with a new incarnation of Rainbow in 2016, missing all the classic members caused a lot of controversies. The singer added, “We worked very hard in those days to keep up our side of Rainbow; you know, Rainbow had three or four incarnations, and like Purple had 20 or 25 incarnations, but we were very proud of it, and I think by you know I use the word cheap imitation.”

The vocalist also noted, “I have to say that’s what I said because it just wasn’t there, it just wasn’t there. We were a great band. Listen to any live videos or tapes; damn, this kicking was really good.” For Turner and disappointed fans, there could have been a real reunion with all the original members to bring back the Rainbow legacy.

What makes it even more heartbreaking is that Turner had been in contact with Blackmore for a possible collaboration when he was bombarded with the news that Ritchie was returning to the scene with a new project by excluding him. Turner had been very outspoken against Blackmore’s decision to perform Deep Purple and Rainbow tracks with a completely new group of musicians instead of bringing the gang back together. Do you agree with Turner?