JOE LYNN TURNER To Appear On Russia's National New Year's Eve Broadcast
December 29, 2010, 13 years ago
Legendary singer JOE LYNN TURNER (ex-RAINBOW, DEEP PURPLE) is slated to appear on Russia's most popular New Year's Eve television broadcast: Channel One's Olivier.
According to Russian music journalist, Tatiana Mikhailova, the word "Olivier," in Russian culture, is the name of the popular salad dish traditionally served on New Years Eve. The television show itself is reportedly a "salad" mix of interviews and entertainment.
Mikhailova reports that STING, ELTON JOHN and ROXETTE are other musicians scheduled to be shown on this broadcast in addition to JLT.
Although Joe did not perform at the show's taping, he was interviewed. Olivier is recorded a few days before New Year's
Eve and also shown on January 7th (Russian Christmas).
In mid-December, Turner was also summoned to appear as a member of the "jury" on Fashion Verdict, one of the most widely viewed daytime television shows with one of the largest audience of women viewers in Russia. It's a fashion makeover show with goals that are similar to the former American TV show, Style Court, and current USA cable TV programs, What Not To Wear (The Learning Channel) or How Do I Look? (Style Network). Joe gave advice to the woman "on trial."
To view the entire show, with Joe's remarks in English, see below (note: Joe is introduced approximately 26 minutes into the show).
Turner's solo tour of Russia was also a huge success. He played over 15 dates, including several in Siberia. JLT states, "Siberia was an amazing mix of Chinese, Japanese and Russian fans. They loved the music so much they were singing along to many of the songs!"
Joe is humbled by his multi-dimensional celebrity status in Russia and all of Eastern Europe. He explains, "This area is like the Wild West of the East! There is so much uncharted territory and I have enjoyed every minute of playing to these loyal audiences who still appreciate pure, classic rock. Yet, I still cannot wrap myself around the fact that I am considered a major celebrity here. I am just doing my job... making music, singing, giving my 'all' on tour."
The Russian infatuation with Turner probably began in the late 1980s when he played several sold out shows in Leningrad and Moscow as a member of guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen's RISING FORCE. JLT helped the guitar virtuoso reach a wider audience with the
album,Odyssey, and album/video/DVD Live in Leningrad. The Russians did not forget and later embraced Turner when he toured the country with GLENN HUGHES and the Hughes Turner Project. Many other appearances followed including numerous solo shows and a Command Performance for President Dmitry Medvedev, other major government officials and Russian oil company executives at a private concert in Moscow.
Turner has many exciting projects in the works for 2011 and will announce more news in January.