The former Deep Purple guitarist, who quit heavy music in 1997 to form Blackmore's Night, last year announced a handful of Rainbow shows featuring an all-new lineup.

Turner - who'd stated he was working on reunion plans with the axeman - tells SiriusXM's Eddie Trunk: "I was shocked. I wanted an authentic lineup. I was talking to Bob Daisley, Bobby Rondinelli, Roger Glover, Don Airey. There's a whole bunch of guys that were really willing to get involved.

"I spent a good year working that out with his manager. Everybody thought I was delusional, and I know I wasn't delusional at all - they were telling me this was going to happen. It made so much sense, especially with the deal that was presented to him."

The singer discovered he wasn't going to be part of Blackmore's plans via a press interview. "I thought it was a classless thing to do," he says, but adds: "I have no sour grapes about this, so let that be told.