Rainbow singer Ronnie Romero is thrilled to be working alongside Ritchie Blackmore for a series of rare rock shows by the Deep Purple guitarist next year.
Blackmore is teaming up with the Lords Of Black vocalist, Stratovarius keyboardist Jens Johansson, Blackmore’s Night drummer David Keith and bassist Bob Nouveau for three concerts in June.
“I don't know from how long they had me on their list,” Romero tells Rafabasa.com, “but they contacted me some months ago, at the beginning of summer, to tell me about a chance for an audition. I deeply remember that ‘first day’ and that first ‘hello’, doing your daily activities and receiveing an email from Ritchie Blackmore himself is quite hard to assimilate, after a few days days, even weeks.”
Prior to revealing the Rainbow 2016 lineup, Blackmore described Romero as “a cross between Ronnie James Dio meets Freddie Mercury.”
“I just think about how lucky I feel, not just to get the gig, but how the hell they found me!,” says Romero. “Having so many good singers worldwide. From the first contact I just tried to give my best to get it, I always believed in myself and with the support of my family and close friends, even more.
“About his words I just can be thankful, he put the bar quite high with his description. But I'm also glad with his confidence on me to this huge task.”
Blackmore and company will perform the Best of Rainbow and Deep Purple at the Monsters Of Rock festivals in Loreley, Germany on June 17 and Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany on June 18, as well as a solo headlining date at the Genting Arena in Birmingham, UK on June 25.
The shows mark a rare return to rock by the guitarist after years as the leader of Blackmore’s Night, a medieval folk band he formed in 1997 with then-girlfriend and now-wife Candice Night.
Hear Romero’s take on the Deep Purple classic “Stormbringer” below.
See also:
Ritchie Blackmore reveals 2016 Rainbow lineup
Ritchie Blackmore brings Rainbow to the UK
Ritchie Blackmore to play 2016 rock show in the UK
Ritchie Blackmore confirms second Best Of Rainbow & Deep Purple show
Search Deep Purple at hennemusic
