Joe Lynn Turner has revealed a shocking plot that occurred against him and Ritchie Blackmore while they were members of Rainbow in an interview with Rolling Stone. Fans began to wonder what the real causes of the band’s turbulent history were when Turner unraveled the complex web of dishonesty and provided a picture of how they were exploited by their handlers.
Turner shared his side of the tale in an exclusive interview, offering a new viewpoint on the behind-the-scenes turmoil that shattered their relationship. Turner said that he and Blackmore learned that the management had set up a game of deceit to throw them against one another and promote their own objectives.
Ritchie intended to reunite with Deep Purple, while Blackmore was keen to quit Rainbow to pursue a solo career, according to Turner, who recalls hearing these rumors. Both of these assertions turned out to be false. Turner revealed how he and Blackmore were shocked by the treachery of the people they trusted the most.
Joe Lynn Turner said,
“Sure. Why not? I was actually, at the time, very happy that I would step back. I had a solo album. I had the world on a string. It didn’t bother me. I was happy that one of my favorite bands was back. I was able to contribute in a small way by stepping back and letting this happen. Now, we later found out, Ritchie and I, that we were played, totally played. But managers do that.”
He added, “He said to Ritchie, ‘Joe wants out. He’s doing a solo career. He doesn’t want to be in Rainbow anymore.’ Ritchie was actually hurt, he told me. And Bruce told me, ‘Ritchie really wants to do Purple.’ I said, ‘He said we’re going to get back together.’
You have to understand something. People still ask, ‘Are you in touch with Ritchie?’ It’s like a marriage. When the marriage is over, you don’t really call up your ex-wife all the time. You’re not really in touch. We were friends and partners, and colleagues then. It doesn’t mean you carry that on forward. We were friendly enough, comrades in arms, so to speak.”
The information from Turner’s interview provides a terrifying glimpse into the world of rock and roll, where the powerful may put friendships and allegiance to the test. Even if Turner and Blackmore don’t stay in touch, there is an opportunity to correct the record and recapture the narrative as fans process the shocking details of their trauma. It serves as a somber reminder that even the most legendary collaborations can end due to powerful individuals withholding information from musicians.
