Over the course of three decades, singer Joe Lynn Turner has fronted Rainbow,
Deep Purple and Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force, released a slew of
solo albums, toured the world over, and contributed his voice and songwriting
skills to everyone from Billy Joel to Lita Ford.
And he doesn’t seem to be slowing up one damn bit.
Among the many projects he is part of these days is Raiding The Rock
Vault, a rock and roll theater extravaganza that debuted on November
29 (2012) at the Mayan Theatre in Los Angeles. The show, which features songs
from the Who, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Queen, Kiss, the Rolling Stones and
dozens more, is set to play in other cities throughout the U.S. and Europe
in 2013.
In addition to Turner, the band features such notable musicians as guitarist
Howard Leese (Heart, Paul Rodgers Band), guitarist Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns,
Guns N’ Roses), singer Robin McAuley (MSG, Survivor), singer Paul Shortino
(Rough Cutt), singer Lorraine Lewis (Femme Fatale) singer and bassist John
Payne (Asia), drummer Jay Schellen (Hurricane, Asia), and keyboardist Michael
T Ross (Lita Ford). There are also dancers, actors and assorted visuals to
enhance the two-hour production.
Raiding The Rock Vault was written by John Payne and Grammy-winning
producer David Kershenbaum. Check out the video below for details.
I got the skinny on Raiding The Rock Vault, as well as what’s precisely happening in Joe Lynn Turner’s world, during a brief chat.
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There’s a lot of really
cool people playing in this production, have you ever played with these particular
guys before?
No, never in the same room. Howard Leese and I wrote together, and, of course,
I knew Traci Guns from around town, but this is the first time we are all
on the same project together. It’s very exciting and I’m so pleased
to be a part of it.
You know the comparisons that
are bound to be made to Rock of Ages.
Actually I heard before I went to San Francisco just recently that the people
associated with Rock of Ages absolutely loved this show and
want to do something with it. They say Raiding The Rock Vault
‘has legs’ so we’re looking to do shows in Vegas, go over
to London, possibly New York.
Is that ultimately the goal
for a show like this, or even your goal, to be in one spot for a while?
Sure, it’s nice to be in one spot for a while, but I don’t care
where that is. I’ve lived all over the world.
Tell me about this production.
We have two stages left and right with a DJ, dancers and actors…and,
of course, this classic band with these players of real rock and roll, going
through periods of time, from like the Doors all the way on up to the present.
It’s a deeper concept with real rock guys playing.
As anyone who knows you, being
in this show is not the only thing you got going on.
Yeah, as always I am busy with lots of things. Ironically, speaking of the
theater as we are here, I wrote a rock opera with a working title “Star
Gazer” with another heavy weight in the business. We’ve been kicking
that around for about 10 years and it seems we finally might have some really
movement on it. It’s historical, super entertaining, pretty much bluesy,
about the life of Galileo, and we got a top guy out of Yale writing the book.
I’m also working on a soundtrack to a movie and I recently joined hands
with a marketing company working on some music and products for them. I am
going to Bulgaria to headline a big festival there. Then there’s the
work I’m going to get into with a super group with Carmine (Appice).
You realize guys half you
age aren’t working half as much!
You know I just saw the Stones and their showmanship is incomparable. I’m
not about to surrender. I can’t think that way. You want to kick ass
well into your 70s.
It seems to be as much about
keeping yourself healthy as it is a state of mind.
People say to me all the time that they are amazed I’m still out there
doing this, and I say it is definitely a state of mind. That’s definitely
what it is — a no-restrictions state of mind.
