Joe Lynn Turner, one of the greatest rock/hard rock singers of all time, whose career has spanned from the late 1970s to the present day, has remembered just how much we love and appreciate him, and will once again perform for us in Athens on September 27 of this year! The former vocalist of Rainbow, Deep Purple, Yngwie Malmsteen, and numerous other (solo) projects is coming to warm us up with his beautiful voice during the first autumn rains, and we are taking the opportunity to look back at our 10 favorite songs that we hope to hear from Turner live!
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
- “I Surrender” (Rainbow, “Difficult To Cure”, 1981)
First and foremost, the track we want to enjoy live is “I Surrender”, perhaps the definitive Joe Lynn Turner performance. Written by Russ Ballard (Argent, solo, etc.), the song became one of Rainbow’s biggest hits and reached No. 3 in the UK. Turner immediately proved he was the perfect successor to Graham Bonnet, delivering a soaring vocal full of confidence and melody. The refrain of the song lives forever through time and space!
- “Street of Dreams” (Rainbow, “Bent Out of Shape”, 1983)
One of Rainbow’s most melodic and emotional tracks, once you listen to it, it sticks in your brain. The MTV-era video helped the song become a fan favorite, while Turner’s smooth vocal performance perfectly matched Ritchie Blackmore’s elegant guitar work. Pure melodic hard rock perfection!
- “Stone Cold” (Rainbow, “Straight Between the Eyes”, 1982)
A power ballad with a massive chorus, Turner sings here like an angel. It became Rainbow’s first U.S. Top 40 hit and received heavy MTV rotation. Its emotional performances do not sacrifice heaviness and send you to heaven above! “Stone Cold” is a melodic hard rock masterpiece, written by Blackmore, Turner and Glover, who also did the production.
- “Can’t Let You Go” (Rainbow, “Bent Out of Shape”, 1983)
A beautiful blend of hard rock and AOR, it features one of Blackmore’s most memorable guitar solos and a passionate vocal from Turner. Co-written by Blackmore and Turner, it is a melancholic mid-tempo rocker, with David Rosenthal’s keyboard intro and the soulful and heartfelt vocals by Turner. It isn’t raw like the Dio era of Rainbow, but it has a gothic, dark touch. For sure, a textbook example of melodic hard rock songwriting.
- “Tearin’ Out My Heart” (Rainbow, “Straight Between the Eyes”, 1982)
A unique song, both ballad-like and deeply lyrical, it gives the band the opportunity to deliver everything they have, while Turner puts on an astonishing masterclass of technique and emotion. Another magnificent composition by Blackmore/Turner/Glover, it sends shivers down your spine and leaves your heart completely full. The refrain is captivating—simple yet perfect—and the performance of everyone involved is truly unforgettable. A breathtaking epic!
- “Heaven Tonight” (Yngwie Malmsteen, “Odyssey”, 1988)
When Turner joined Yngwie Malmsteen for the “Odyssey” album, magic happened. “Heaven Tonight” combined Malmsteen’s virtuoso guitar work with a radio-friendly chorus and became one of the album’s signature tracks. “Odyssey” remains Malmsteen’s highest-charting studio album in the U.S. and was driven in part by songs such as this one. It is a great track, the perfect marriage of shred guitar and commercial songwriting.
- “Rising Force” (Yngwie Malmsteen, “Odyssey”, 1988)
An absolute powerhouse! Fans frequently cite it among the strongest tracks from “Odyssey”, and many consider Turner the ideal vocalist for Malmsteen’s neoclassical style. What you get here? Epic riffs, huge vocals, and world-class guitar playing!! The depth and warmth of Turner’s voice combine perfectly with Malmsteen’s shredding and musical approach. Neoclassical metal for muthas!
- “Dreaming (Tell Me)” (Yngwie Malmsteen, “Odyssey”, 1988)
A more melodic and emotional side of the Malmsteen-Turner partnership. The song showcases Turner’s ability to elevate a track through phrasing and dynamics rather than sheer power – as far as Malmsteen’s technique, it is so unique. One of the finest AOR-influenced songs in Malmsteen’s catalog, a crying ballad, a sweet song that resonates with all generations of rock listeners!
- “King of Dreams” (Deep Purple, “Slaves and Masters”, 1990)
The standout track from “Slaves and Masters”, the only studio album Turner recorded with Deep Purple. The song features a majestic atmosphere, memorable keyboards, incredible guitar work and one of Turner’s most commanding vocal performances. For me, it is a hidden gem in the Deep Purple discography, a hymn that calls the listener to suing along and headbang! It has the Deep Purple vibe, with Turner’s touch!
- “Love Conquers All” (Deep Purple, “Slaves and Masters”, 1990)
An amazing, powerful ballad that highlights the warmth and emotional depth of Turner’s voice. Though often overshadowed by classic Deep Purple material, it remains a favorite among fans of the “Slaves and Masters” era. One of the strongest hard rock ballads of the early 1990s, “Love Conquers All” conquers our hearts too. Its passion, its emotion, its heat, everything masters every and each one of us! And what a message! Turner gives his very soul to this special song!
Those tracks perfectly capture the melodic power, vocal range, and charisma that established Joe Lynn Turner as one of the greatest hard rock singers of his generation. In just a few months, Turner will be back on stage for us, and there’s a strong feeling that at least some of these songs will find their way into the setlist. They really should.
