Ritchie Blackmore Wants To Rock Again Says Rainbow Frontman

12/11/2014
. (Classic Rock) Joe Lynn Turner claims former bandmate Ritchie Blackmore wants to return to rock music - and says the guitarist deserves the acclaim that's waiting for him if he does.

Blackmore has immersed himself in folk rock since quitting Deep Purple mid-tour in 1993, then splitting Rainbow four years later. His band Blackmore's Night released their ninth album in 2013.

The singer tells Rockin' Metal Revival: "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."

Turner reports he's 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 of it.'"

He continues: "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." Read more and check out a stream of the full interview here.

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