In a posting on Deep Purple website The Highway Star, a press release from To The Max Media Relations states that Jürgen Blackmore, son of ex Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore is forming a new band. According to the release, the new band will be called Over The Rainbow, featuring all ex Rainbow members, and will consist of:
Joe Lynn Turner — vocals
Bobby Rondinelli — drums
Tony Carey — keyboards
Greg Smith — bass
Jürgen Blackmore — guitar (yes, Ritchie’s son)
Carey, who has produced several artists including Joe Cocker and David Knopfler since his
Rainbow days says, "Having done everything from country to opera, I
thought it would be fun to play some rock again without the burden of singing everything."
Rondinelli adds, "Over the Rainbow re-unites members of one of the most distinctive
sounding bands of all time and introduces a hidden treasure to the world in J.R.
Blackmore.''
The son of the iconic Rainbow founder/guitarist, Ritchie Blackmore, is Jurgen ("J.R.")
Blackmore. J.R. is a critically acclaimed guitarist in his own right and agreed to join
this endeavor after realizing how intense the demand was for a Rainbow "reunion." Over
The Rainbow marks the first time that four members from three different eras of Rainbow
will take the stage together along with J.R. Blackmore.
Rainbow has spawned over 20 albums (five Gold, four Silver), seven Billboard Hot 100 and
Mainstream Rock tracks, six Top 75 UK songs and at least seven MTV frequently played
videos. Their longest tenure was from its inception through 1984 when it went on hiatus
so Blackmore could reform Deep Purple. A decade later, Rainbow toured and recorded an
album. Since then, Ritchie Blackmore has turned his focus toward Blackmore’s Night.
Since 1998, former members of Rainbow and their respective management offices
have been bombarded with requests for Rainbow to reunite. Carey, Rondinelli, Smith and
Turner answered "the call" but agreed that the only legitimate way that this could be
accomplished was with a Blackmore on guitar. Enter: J.R. Blackmore.
How does the younger Blackmore feel about sharing the stage with musicians he
grew up watching perform in concert with his legendary father? "I have not worked
with them," says Blackmore, "But, I have admired them since I was young. That makes
them like brothers.”
Greg Smith agrees that the market for Rainbow’s brand of rock is under served. "I know
there is a big demand for this music,” he says, “The fact that all members are ex-Rainbow
from different periods in the band's history will give the music the genuineness it
deserves. A Blackmore on guitar will give it even more authenticity."
While Joe Lynn Turner has fond memories of collaborating with and great respect for
Ritchie Blackmore, he's looking forward to working with his next of kin. He states, “J.R.
is the only logical choice for the guitar slot for Over The Rainbow. I have followed some
of his projects over the years now. He's very talented."
Over the Rainbow will begin touring in Russia during February of 2009 and band
management is currently welcoming serious inquiries from talent buyers, booking
agents and promoters.
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