BiografieIn a career that spans nearly 30 years and includes over 50 album credits, Joe Lynn Turner ("JLT") remains one of rock and roll´s most distinctive, soulful and expressive vocalists. Born August 2, 1951 in Hackensack, New Jersey (U.S.A.), he played the accordion as a child, grew up with an appreciation for classic Rhythm and Blues (R&B) and became an accomplished guitarist in his early teens. In fact, his first band, Filet of Soul, featured singer J.T. Taylor who would later have success with Kool and the Gang. While in high school, Joe formed Ezra, performing original material and cover songs by artists who were a great influence on him: Jimi Hendrix, Free and Deep Purple.



In 1976, JLT enjoyed his first taste of national success with Fandango, a band described as an eclectic mix of R&B, pop, country, jazz and melodic rock. Turner sang and played guitar on all of the band´s four albums. Fandango toured with numerous artists including The Allman Brothers, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Beach Boys and Billy Joel.



After Fandango split, in the first of two incredible twists of Fate, JLT received a phone call from legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. Turner´s work with Fandango prompted an audition and Blackmore was so impressed that he immediately enlisted Joe in Rainbow, a band that he formed after he left Deep Purple. Ironically, Joe spent his formative years covering Deep Purple songs and now he found himself fronting a band with two former members: Blackmore and Roger Glover. Rainbow, while popular in Europe and Japan, had not garnered the same level of notoriety in the U.S.A. It was Turner´s contributions that helped catapult the group to a new level of success. Several JLT-infused album tracks reached the Top 20 on rock radio charts. "Stone Cold" was Rainbow´s first Top 40 pop radio hit and the band´s innovative videos were in heavy airplay rotation on MTV (Music Television). Turner co-wrote and/or sang on Rainbow singles that helped define the melodic rock genre: "I Surrender," "Can´t Happen Here," "Jealous Lover," "Death Alley Driver," "Street of Dreams" and "Can´t Let You Go."



In 1984, Blackmore reunited with Deep Purple. This gave Turner freedom to work on his first solo album, "Rescue You," produced by Roy Thomas Baker, known for his work with Queen and The Cars. JLT co-wrote most of the songs with keyboardist Al Greenwood (Foreigner). The first single, "Endlessly," received extensive airplay on radio and MTV. A tour with Pat Benatar and acting role in the movie, "Blue Deville" followed.



Turner also proved his versatility by working with a diverse array of artists, including Billy Joel, Cher, Michael Bolton, Mick Jones (Foreigner), John Waite (The Babys). Bolton also encouraged him to enter the lucrative business of singing and doing character voices for radio and television. This would afford Joe a steady income that was not reliant on the commercial success of any band or project he decided to get involved with. In 1987, JLT became a member of Yngwie Malsteen´s Rising Force. Their union resulted in "Odyssey," the most commercially successful album for Malmsteen up to this point in history. A follow-up world tour was highlighted by ten "sold out" shows in Russia that were recorded for the "Trial By Fire: Live in Leningrad" album and video.



In the winter of 1989, Ritchie Blackmore and Deep Purple needed to find a lead singer to replace Ian Gillan. Several high profile vocalists were considered. In a second ironic twist of Fate, Turner was invited to audition and found himself fronting one of the major bands he was influenced by as a teenager! They released the album, "Slaves and Masters" and launched an extensive world tour in the midst of The Gulf War. While many bands cancelled their tours, afraid to travel during turbulent times, Purple and JLT forged on. Turner wrote and sang on several tracks for a follow-up album that were never officially released. To this day, Blackmore maintains that "Slaves and Masters" is his favorite Deep Purple record since his reunion with the group in 1984.



Joe took on many projects after leaving Purple. He joined Carmine Appice (Ozzy Osbourne), Bob Daisley (Ozzy Osbourne) and Jeff Watson (Night Ranger) in the progressive rock band Mother´s Army. He toured the U.S.A. with his own "JLT All Star Band." He eventually returned to the studio for his second solo effort, "Nothing´s Changed." In 1997, JLT recorded the first of two of his own tribute CDs, paying homage to his rock and roll roots with his versions of songs by Bad Company, Marvin Gaye and many others. With the release of his third solo venture, "Hurry Up And Wait," the worldwide demand for his material increased dramatically. His next three solo albums---Holy Man," "Slam!" and "JLT"---subsequently enjoyed critical and commercial success.


Turner continues to record and collaborate on a massive number of other artist´s CDs and tribute albums. He is one of the key members of Brazen Abbot, a project spearheaded by Bulgarian guitarist/composer Nikolo Kotzev. JLT co-wrote and sang tracks on several albums and is spotlighted on the DVD "A Decade of Brazen Abbot." His schedule is constantly booked with studio session work. It´s difficult to listen to the radio or watch TV in the U.S.A. without hearing his voice coming out of the speakers on a commercial. In fact, one of his beer adverts in Japan, "Challenge Them All," became a popular rock radio anthem.



Turner has recorded and performed with the Voices of Classic Rock (VCR), Rock and Pop Masters (RPM) and New York´s Hit Squad. These groups feature some of rock and pop´s elite: Hugh McDonald (Bonjovi), Mike Reno (Loverboy), Jimi Jamison (Survivor), Larry Hoppen (Orleans), Spencer Davis, Bobby Kimball (TOTO), Ricky Byrd (Joan Jett), Liberty DiVitto (Billy Joel) and many others. They have played festivals and concerts in South America, Japan, France, Asia, Hawaii, Central America, Mexico and in many major U.S.A. cities.



Most notable is JLT´s recent collaboration with former Deep Purple bassist/vocalist, Glenn Hughes. Turner asked Glenn to tour Japan in support of his "Holy Man" disc. They enjoyed working together so much that they were inspired to form the Hughes Turner Project (HTP). HTP released two studio CDs and one live disc. Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), John Sykes (Whitesnake/Thin Lizzy), Steve Vai (Frank Zappa/Whitesnake) and other artists made guest appearances during the recording sessions. The single, "Time And Time Again" ("HTP2") spent over 3 months in the Top 30 on the World Modern Rock Chart. HTP generated a lot of fan and media interest, worldwide, appearing on national television and radio in many countries, including the U.S.A. and Russia. After 2 successful tours of Japan and Europe, they are hoping to record a third studio album some time in the future.



Turner´s latest CD, "The Usual Suspects," (Yamaha Records-Japan; Frontiers Records-Europe) is his 9th solo album to date. It features several well-known musicians who were part of the JLT All Star Band at one point and also favorite collaboration partners of Joe´s (hence the album title "The Usual Suspects"). The players on the new disc include: Al Pitrelli (Megadeth, Savatage, Trans Siberian Orchestra) and Karl Cochran (Ace Frehley) on guitar, David Z on bass, John O´Reilly (Rainbow) on drums, Paul Morris (Rainbow), Andy Burton on keyboards and Nancy Bender on background vocals. Joe describes "The Usual Suspects" as a return to the melodic rock that is more reminiscent of his Rainbow days. He says, "For the first time ever, I recorded the vocals in the comfort of my home. Gary Tole (Bonjovi) engineered it. It´s a return to something that was part of me, part of my past. It has big choruses but also rocks hard in a lot of places. I am very proud of the album".

Quelle: http://www.joelynnturner.com/servlet/JltPopUpReader?page=BioDiscografie2005 - Usual Suspects

2003 - HUGHES TURNER PROJECT - HTP 2

2003 - JLT

2002 - HTP - HTP-Live in Tokyo

2002 - HUGHES TURNER PROJECT - HTP

2001 - Slam

2000 - Holy Man

1999 - Under Cover 2

1999 - Waiting for a Girl Like You

1998 - MOTHERS ARMY - Fire on the Moon

1998 - Hurry Up and Wait

1997 - BRAZEN ABBOT - Bad Religion

1997 - Under Cover

1996 - BRAZEN ABBOT - Eye of the Storm

1995 - Nothings Changed

1990 - DEEP PURPLE - Slaves And Masters

1985 - Rescue You

1983 - RAINBOW - Bent Out Of Shape

1982 - RAINBOW - Straight Between The Eyes

1981 - RAINBOW - Difficult To Cure

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