In a recent interview on the Musical Craft podcast with Pavel Bazdyrev, former RAINBOW and DEEP PURPLE vocalist Joe Lynn Turner opened up about his deep connection with Russia — a country he says feels “very at home” to him.
Turner’s first experience with Russia dates back to February 1989, when he toured the Soviet Union as part of Yngwie Malmsteen’s band during the recording of Trial By Fire: Live In Leningrad. At the time, the city now known as Saint Petersburg was still called Leningrad. “We did 11 shows in Moscow and 11 shows in Leningrad, in big halls,” Turner recalled. And we had over 20,000 people per night for 11 nights each. Everyone came — babushkas, everybody came out because it was very new.”
He described those early concerts as a life-changing experience, marked by the stark realities of the Soviet Union’s strict security presence. “KGB was everywhere, military style, the whole thing — in the hotels, papers, you name it. So it was a very different Russia than what I’ve seen it progress into over the years.” The contrast between then and now gave him a unique perspective on the country’s evolution, as well as a greater appreciation for its rich culture and history.
“But it brought a sense, to me, of the world — more knowledge of what was really happening here in this country, the depth of the people, the depth of the culture, what they’ve gone through,” he said. “And for example, most Americans have never understood that at all because they’ve never had a war in their country.
Reflecting on the present, Turner expressed admiration for how much Russia has changed and grown since his first visit. “From back then to now, the progress here has been amazing. And I played just about all over Russia … and it came a long way till now.””
When Bazdyrev expressed gratitude that Turner chose Russia and Belarus to perform in, Joe explained the reason for his affinity. “Well, thank you. A friend of mine is a prominent podcaster, and he was here for a while and he went back. Now he’s coming back for citizenship. And the reason why is because of exactly what I’m saying, is that the mentality and the depth of character, et cetera, the culture is much more feeling as opposed to the craziness and the materialism that exists. I’m not saying people don’t like materialism everywhere, but there’s a depth here.”
Asked if he still feels like a foreigner in Russia or more at home, Turner was clear: “I feel very at home. I wish I can speak more Russian… I can actually understand more than I can speak, but I find the grammar’s very hard. And as a singer, I’m very good with linguistics.
He also noted how English has become a common second language among younger Russians, helping bridge cultural gaps. “I don’t feel that foreign. You know why? Because I think it’s the heart of the people. It’s feeling more than it is differences, whether it’s food and things like that. There are some people that can’t fall into this category, I think. I, however, welcome it and embrace it, the differences — the differences and the similarities. So I feel very comfortable, really.”
Turner’s embrace of Russia stands in contrast to many international artists who canceled their concerts there amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions related to the war in Ukraine. Major record labels have suspended operations in Russia, and streaming services like Spotify have pulled out of the market.
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