Is Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore Reuniting Rainbow?

Singer Joe Lynn Turner has said that he is in talks with guitarist Ritchie Blackmore over a Rainbow reunion.While Blackmore has been absent from the rock world since disbanding Rainbow in 1997, Turner (who fronted the band from 1980 to 1984) says that he’s getting ready to rock again:

“I’ve been in touch with Ritchie’s camp. Hopefully we’ll get something a little bit further in the talks in December. Now is the time – 2015. Everybody’s sitting there waiting for this to happen.”The singer also stated that the suggestion of a Rainbow reunion has had positive reactions from industry bodies including Live Nation and Universal Music Group and adds: “All we need is the nod from Richie to say, ‘I’m ready to do it.'”

He also suggested that Blackmore, who has been playing folk music in Blackmore’s Night for the past 20 or so years, is itching to perform heavier music again:”I know he’s got a trigger finger itchy to play some rock. Then he can go back to Blackmore’s Night. He’s different guy than he was but at the same time he’s still Ritchie Blackmore and he needs to do this.”

In 2008, Joe Lynn Turner formed Over The Rainbow, a band featuring former Rainbow members from the band’s various incarnations. Joining the group on guitar was Jurgen Blackmore, Ritchie’s son.