JOE LYNN TURNER: YNGWIE's Ego Keeps Him From Admitting That Two Heads Are Better Than One'

July 21, 2007

Legendary hard rock singer Joe Lynn Turner (RAINBOW, DEEP PURPLE) checked in with Hardrock Haven to talk about his new solo release, "Second Hand Life"; his current tour with "Classic Rock Cares"; his recent jam with Yngwie Malmsteen and how crazy it was recently being invited by the Prime Minister of Russia to play a concert with Malmsteen in Russia; and a whole lot more. Here is an excerpt from the 11-minute interview:

Hardrock Haven: In your career, you've obviously dealt with a ton of personalities and egos. Probably my favorite guitarist, Yngwie Malmsteen, found his greatest success when you were his singer and co-songwriter. Like a lot of people, I like his new music but he's never recreated the magic you guys made. Do you think the reason you and Yngwie didn't have a longer run making albums is because you have as much, if not more, "star power" than him, and he's not known as one who wants to share that spotlight?

Turner: Funny you mention Yngwie, because I just got back from Russia last month. I did a date with Yngwie for the Prime Minister of Russia … that was really pretty far out there. I mean, when you get a call from the Prime Minister of Russia, it's kind of a big thing. They grew up on the music out there, and now those people have a lot of money and power, and they hired me. I was on a Japan tour at the time, promoting "Second Hand Life", and the next thing I know I got a call from my manager and he said Yngwie Malmsteen's band was added to the bill. So, I had to ironically laugh at this whole thing, that 17 years later we were going to be on stage together. He played, and I played my set, and then the encore we got together and played some of the old songs. So that kind of answers the first part of your question… But the second part of your question really is … yeah, it takes chemistry to really put out the best musical possible, the best tracks vocally, lyrically, musically and melodically. So our success with that record broke him in a lot of markets, and I think he's declined after that, because he thinks he can do it all on his own. He really hasn't seen the light. And if he has, it's really because of his ego, and he just doesn't want to admit it that two heads are better than one.

To listen to the streaming interview in its entirety, go to this location.

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