JOE LYNN TURNER Talks 'American Idol'

Dave McGurgan of phillyBurbs.com recently conducted an interview with legendary hard rock rock vocalist Joe Lynn Turner (RAINBOW, DEEP PURPLE, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

phillyBurbs.com: What is your take on "American Idol"? Is it anything at all like the "real" music business?

Joe: It's a FAR CRY from what it was like when I started in the biz. I grew up with a no fluff hard work ethic where dedication and tenacity was the focus if you wanted to "make it big." We did not have some venue where 40 million people were watching you every week, voting in what seems to be more of a popularity contest. It was all about "dying for your art" back in the '70s and even through most of the 80s.

phillyBurbs.com: Is being a great singer as easy as some "Idol" contestants and/or professionals make it seem on the show?

Joe: You have to make it look easy, that's the trick. Whether it is sports or music or any other art form, you have to make it look easy when it's really not. It's part of the mystique.

phillyBurbs.com: Are there misconceptions about what it takes to be a great singer?

Joe: Absolutely! "AI" as the popularity contest it has become has added to this making it seem easier than it is. In the end, "AI" may end up lowering the bar instead of raising it because it seems to be more of a popularity contest. Simon tries to pull it back to a singing contest with his comments and influence but he knows what he is up against.

phillyBurbs.com: How about some of the "Idol" alumni?

Joe: Daughtry is exceptional for his genre! Kelly Clarkson [has] plenty of heart and soul...the first "Idol" and still the best. Carrie Underwood is also proving she is exceptional.

phillyBurbs.com: How do you think we'll look back on "Idol" in a decade?

Joe: Let's see who is still standing when the dust settles 10, 20 even 30 years from now. I think Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood could be contenders for legends. They cross over into different genres and are not as trendy or forgettable.

phillyBurbs.com: Did you catch Bon Jovi on "AI"? How did he (and his band) do?

Joe: I have known all the guys in the band for a long time, being that I am also from New Jersey. They are great guys, excellent musicians and consistently decent songwriters. But all that aside, to be honest I thought Jon was good with the idol contestants (the Philly Soul T-shirt was also cool). He was "right on" with his comments.

As for BON JOVI's performance on the show, (putting on my best Simon Cowell impersonation ;-),I would say the performance was acceptable ... I am not jumping up and down over it. It was OK ... not terrible but seemed to lack some of the inspiration and authenticity I have seen many times from BON JOVI in the past.

phillyBurbs.com: Why do some of the winners of "Idol" seem to flourish while others seem to struggle with success?

Joe: They are too conventional, middle-of-the-road. Sure, many of them have good voices but they may not give you chills when they sing like a truly great singer such as Josh Groban. Or, they may not have that "wow factor" and are enough to make an impact to last decades. They won a contest.

For example, Clay Aiken has a nice voice but is a bit trendy and may not end up being a megastar [that] stands the test of time. I always say, "If you can live without hearing a certain singer ever again then he or she is forgettable."

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