Guitar International recently conducted an interview with vocalist JOE LYNN TURNER (ex-DEEP PURPLE, RAINBOW). In the interview Turner talked about the rock opera Raiding The Rock Vault, as well as his time in Rainbow. Excerpts from the interview are below:

Q: Tell me about Rock Vault and how you came to be involved in it?

A: “About a month ago, my friend, John Payne, from ASIA said he had a project he was working on. Through some emails and conversation with John as well as with the executive producer, Sir Harry Cowell, I began to better understand Rock Vault. The story takes place in the year 2070 after a comet hits the earth years earlier. After the dust settles, a group of raiders go out on an expedition and they come across this vault. They go in the vault and find all this missing classic rock music. They find music from the ‘60s until when the comet hit. It reminds me of a TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA performance. It can be toured or made into a video or a Broadway play. It’s a huge stage production. There are also some amazing musicians and actors involved to help tell this story.”

Q: Do you know what songs you will be performing?

A: “I’ve been out of the country in Europe and Russia, and a little out of the loop, but there have seen a lot of emails about it. I believe I’m singing ‘Smoke On The Water’ and ‘All Right Now’ by FREE (who are one of my favorite bands). That’s all I know of that I’m singing as of right now. I’m a bit unsettled, but you better believe that I will go in there and kick ass. When they say ‘you’re on’ I’m on!”

Q: Your legacy in Rainbow spawned the most video and commercial radio hits for the band. Was that the intent?

A: “That’s was the actual design of it. We were supposed to be more commercial. When Ritchie got me in the band he point blank told me that we were going after a commercial market. Other bands on the label were going that way like DEF LEPPARD, who were getting played on the radio. Ritchie wanted to get played on the radio too. I said then let’s go after their throats; we are going to write songs that are hook, line, and sinker hits. That was mission and we accomplished it.”

Read the entire interview at this location.

The history of rock 'n' roll will come to life like never before with Raiding The Rock Vault. The spectacular show is set for Thursday, November 29th at the Mayan Theatre (1038 S Hill St.) in Downtown Los Angeles, leading up to a nationwide tour in 2013.

Narrated, sung and acted along with compelling imagery including historical footage, the show transports the audience back to a magical musical journey from 1950 to 1990. Tickets are currently available here for $10.

Traversing the genre's history chronologically through the ‘50s, '60s, '70s and '80s, through to the year 1990, Raiding The Rock Vault features classic anthems from THE WHO, THE DOORS, JIMI HENDRIX, FREE, THE EAGLES, LED ZEPPELIN, BRYAN ADAMS, VAN HALEN, DEEP PURPLE, QUEEN, KISS, ROLLING STONES and more, truly boasting "The Greatest Set List Ever."

These timeless gems are translated on stage live and loud by an all-star band comprised of Howard Leese [Guitar] (Heart, The Paul Rodgers Band), Joe Lynn Turner [Vocals] (Rainbow, Deep Purple), Tracii Guns (Guitar - L.A. GUNS, GUNS N' ROSES), Robin McAuley (Vocals - MSG, SURVIVOR), John Payne (Bass and Vocals - ASIA), Paul Shortino (Vocals - ROUGH CUTT, QUIET RIOT), Jay Schellen (Drums - HURRICANE, Asia), Andrew Freeman (Guitars and Vocals - LYNCH MOB, THE OFFSPRING), and Michael T Ross (Keyboards - LITA FORD, HARDLINE, ANGEL).

In addition, the entire show follows a compelling theatrical narrative told via narration by acclaimed actor Richard Malmos in front of the giant Rock Vault onstage. The music, performance, and visuals come together to tell this unforgettable tale.

Written by esteemed Grammy Award-winning record producer David Kershenbaum (JOE JACKSON, TRACY CHAPMAN, SUPERTRAMP) and musician, producer and vocalist John Payne (Asia), Raiding The Rock Vault was born to give audiences an important history lesson, while encouraging them to rock out as much as possible. It’s as fresh and fiery as it gets.

Payne excitedly comments, "This show will be an extravagant production melding rock and roll, stunning visuals and acting in a never-before-seen form. I am so proud to be part of this and excited to be performing alongside such legendary musicians."

Executive producer Sir Harry Cowell (a music industry veteran) adds, "I have worked on the odd rock and roll show in my career, but this is going to be the biggest and most fun of all of them. Bring it on!"

Joe Lynn Turner agrees, "Raiding The Rock Vault is the real deal! Others have tried to attempt a similar show but nothing will be like this! I am honored and proud to be a part of what is soon to be a part of rock and roll history!"

The Vault will open and you may never view rock 'n' roll the same way.

More info here.