Ronnie Romero

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RITCHIE BLACKMORE’s Reactivated RAINBOW Is Recording New Music

Posted by aliblackdiamond on April 18, 2017
Posted in: Int. News. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

The revamped version of RAINBOW recently entered the studio to record band’s first new music in more than two decades, according to Blabbermouth.net.

Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore stepped away from his Renaissance-inspired brand of music with BLACKMORE’S NIGHT last year to perform a handful of shows with a brand-new lineup of the band he had formed after quitting DEEP PURPLE.

Although Ritchie initially said that he had no plans to make a new RAINBOW album — explaining in early 2016 that he wanted to “just get back to playing the old songs one more time” — he appears to have changed his mind. He told Japan’s Burrn! magazine for its May 2017 issue that the current incarnation of RAINBOW — which includes singer Ronnie Romero, originally from Chile but now settled in Madrid, Spain — is in the process of recording two tracks. “I wrote one new song, and also recorded one of the old ones,” he said, according to The Highway Star. “Ronnie, who is in Madrid now, added his vocals and sent it back. Rather than make an album, we may release as singles.”

Blackmore was also full of praise for Romero, who spends some of his time fronting the Spanish metal band LORDS OF BLACK and is a member of a new project called THE FERRYMEN. “When I heard him, he seemed like the right guy to sing the [Ronnie James] Dio-era songs of RAINBOW,” Ritchie said. “He is versatile, he can sing like Freddie Mercury or Ronnie James Dio or Graham Bonnet.

“The reason I did not ask [former RAINBOW singer] Joe Lynn Turner [to get involved in the RAINBOW comeback] is because I thought European fans wanted to hear the Dio lineup of RAINBOW.

“I was very surprised that tickets [to the first RAINBOW comeback shows] sold out in 15 minutes. It was nice to know so many people wanted to hear RAINBOW at this time.”

Joe Lynn Turner last year slammed Blackmore for the guitarist’s decision to go out and perform classic DEEP PURPLE and RAINBOW material with a new group musicians instead of reforming RAINBOW with a more “authentic” lineup.

Less critical of the new RAINBOW lineup was former DEEP PURPLE bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes, who admitted to Metal Express Radio earlier this year that he had watched some YouTube clips of the new RAINBOW lineup performing in 2016. “Singing Ronnie‘s [James Dio] songs needs a special kind of singer and I think the young chap did a reasonably good job and I think Ritchie may well have found the guy for him,” Hughes said of Romero. “He was certainly a good fit for RAINBOW.”

In addition to Romero, Blackmore was joined at last year’s RAINBOW gigs by STRATOVARIUS keyboardist Jens Johansson, BLACKMORE’S NIGHT drummer David Keith, bassist Bob Nouveau (a.k.a. Robert “Bob” Curiano, ex-BLACKMORE’S NIGHT), and backing singers Candice Night and Lady Lynn.

The two shows RAINBOW played in Germany last June were caught on camera to produce “Memories In Rock – Live In Germany”, which was released in November via Eagle Rock Entertainment on DVD+2CD, Blu-ray+2CD, and digital formats.

After Ritchie left DEEP PURPLE for the final time in 1993, he reformed RAINBOW for one album (1995’s “Stranger In Us All”) and one tour, ending things in Denmark in 1997.

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THE FERRYMEN – Feat. Magnus Karlsson, Ronnie Romero, Mike Terrana – To Release Self-Titled Debut Album In June

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 7, 2017
Posted in: Int. News. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment

TheFerrymen

Frontiers Music Srl is truly excited to present THE FERRYMEN’s self-titled debut album, set for release on June 2, 2017!

THE FERRYMEN is a brand new project featuring guitarist Magnus Karlsson (Primal Fear, Magnus Karlsson’s Free Fall) and vocalist Ronnie Romero (Lords Of Black, Rainbow), together with drummer Mike Terrana (Rage, AXEL RUDI PELL, MasterPlan, and more).

Watch the band’s official EPK here:

The songs were written by Karlsson in Sweden during the summer of 2016. Once Romero was sent the music via their main bands’ shared label home Frontiers, he immediately wanted to be part of the project. Terrana was the last piece of the puzzle and he recorded his drums in Italy, where he currently resides.

The resulting album is a shot of adrenaline for all lovers of melodic metal! Musically, you can expect maximum melodic metal fusing the songwriting and epic structures of the great ALLEN/LANDE records (for which Magnus Karlsson was the main architect of the first three widely praised releases) with the Ronnie James Dio-esque vocal approach of Romero. (Let’s not forget that Romero was hand-picked by Deep Purple (1968-1976) and Rainbow’s legendary guitarist Richie Blackmore to be the lead vocalist for Rainbow’s recent reunion shows, so the Dio comparison is more than accurate!)

Tells Magnus, “When I wrote this record, having Ronnie singing, I had no limits in mind with the lyrics. Ronnie could sing everything and I am also very proud of the songs!”

“I am used to working with Lords of Black in a certain straight style,” adds Ronnie Romero, “but, this record was very different and it was very exciting for me!”

“Overall, I think it is one of the coolest and grooviest records I’ve ever done,” concludes Mike Terrana, a drummer with more than 100 records under his belt!

With stunning artwork courtesy of Stan W. Decker and an outstanding mix courtesy of Simone Mularoni (of Italian prog metal masters DGM), THE FERRYMEN is an album which will take the metal world by storm in 2017!

TheFerrymen-cover

THE FERRYMEN tracklisting:

  1. End Of The Road
  2. Ferryman
  3. Fool You All
  4. Still Standing Up
  5. Cry Wolf
  6. One Heart
  7. Darkest Hour
  8. How The Story Ends
  9. Enter Your Dream
  10. Eyes On The Sky
  11. Eternal Night
  12. Welcome To My Show

THE FERRYMEN are:

Ronnie Romero – vocals
Magnus Karlsson – guitars, bass, keyboards
Mike Terrana – drums

www.facebook.com/TheFerrymenofficial

Magnus Karlsson And Ronnie Romero Launch New Project THE FERRYMEN

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 4, 2016
Posted in: Int. News. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

magnuskarlsson-ronnieromero-the-ferrymen

Magnus Karlsson (Magnus Karlsson’s Free Fall, Primal Fear) and Ronnie Romero (Lords Of Black, Rainbow) are working on a brand new project album together, entitled THE FERRYMEN.

Musically you can expect an overdose of melodic metal melting the songwriting and epics of the great Allen/Lande records with the Ronnie James Dio-esque vocal approach from Ronnie Romero.

One of the highlights of 2017 is on it’s way to you!!!

 

Interview With Ronnie Romero: “Maybe Rainbow can make some more shows next year.”

Posted by aliblackdiamond on July 7, 2016
Posted in: Interviews. Tagged: , , . 14 Comments

Interview By Alison Booth

Only four months have passed since my first interview with vocalist Ronnie Romero, but so much has happened during that time! Last year, Ronnie (also of LORDS OF BLACK) was announced as the singer for the all new Ritchie Blackmore’s RAINBOW to play three live shows, which as we all know took place last month in Germany and the UK (review here). Ritchie Blackmore‘s return to rock seems to have been a resounding success, so I wanted to find out more from Ronnie and catch up with him and his thoughts, now the shows are completed. Check out a few excerpts written below and listen to the full interview on the audio player.

Ronnie Romero 2016

At the start of our talk, Ronnie updated me on how he feels after finishing three huge shows as a part of RAINBOW:

“I feel like in a dream. It’s hard to assimilate all that has happened in the last few weeks. Not just living this situation with Ritchie and the other band mates in Rainbow, meet the fans so close to the stage and back stage and all the people going to the show. And then all these musicians who I love talk to me and telling me that I made a great job, it’s a dream come true.”

Discussing Ritchie and the band’s rehearsal time, Ronnie expressed:

“It’s amazing to see how he can still play guitar at 71 years old, he’s a legend. Ritchie is a really nice guy inside, he makes me feel very comfortable and all the band members, we have like a little family you know. Ritchie makes me feel very good, not just in rehearsals, on stage and this two weeks of tour.”

Ronnie told me how he feels about his performance with RAINBOW:

“I feel really good with my job. I tried to make justice, not just to the songs, but all the singers. I just try to sing the songs in my own way and my own style and I think the people appreciate that. I’m not just a copy of the other singers, I prefer to sing like Ronnie Romero singing those songs.
And I think the people prefer that, I think they don’t like seeing a guy or pay for a ticket to hear a guy try to sing like Ronnie James Dio, it’s not a good idea.”

Looking to the future and if there will be more shows for RAINBOW, Ronnie stated:

“I hope so, I really hope we can do some more shows, maybe next year. I have a really great feeling about the band and Ritchie is really happy with the results, he’s really happy with the audience and maybe we can make some more shows next year. You need to stay tuned!”

Ritchie Blackmore's RAINBOW 25th June 2016

Ritchie Blackmore’s RAINBOW
25th June 2016

For more information about Ronnie, visit his official Facebook page here. The official LORDS OF BLACK page can be found here and the official website at this location.

The official Ritchie Blackmore Facebook page can be found here and website here.

Live Review: Ritchie Blackmore’s RAINBOW, Genting Arena, UK, 25/06/16; Video

Posted by aliblackdiamond on June 29, 2016
Posted in: Live Report, Reviews. Tagged: , , , , , . 7 Comments

Review By Alison Booth
Interview By Mohsen Fayazi

Ritchie Blackmore's RAINBOW Genting Arena UK 25th June 2016

Ritchie Blackmore’s RAINBOW
Genting Arena UK
25th June 2016

Years have passed since I last went to a big show at the NEC, Birmingham, (I think it was MEGADETH in ’92), so what a band to make it back there for, arriving for the gig of the century on a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon, to see The Man In Black’s return to rock! The area was packed full of happy looking RAINBOW fans wandering around the Resort World complex, eating, drinking and watching Euro 2016 on the big screen outside.

Walking into the Genting Arena, we were faced with a great band playing on a small stage, going by the name of DAYLIGHT ROBBERY, with quite a crowd watching their set. After of course buying TShirts to mark this legendary event, we went to find our seats, on the side block next to left of the stage was a pretty good view. I hadn’t heard of English rockers MOSTLY AUTUMN prior to them being announced as support for this show, but they put on a great performance at what must have been the biggest show they have played. It’s easy to see why they were chosen for this gig, they fitted in very well with the whole theme of the night and went down really well with the packed out arena.

Slightly later than scheduled, at 8.45pm, the lights went down and ‘Land Of Hope And Glory’ then ‘Over The Rainbow’ started blasting over the PA, signalling the entrance of the band and guitar GOD Ritchie Blackmore! So many fans have been waiting for this ‘return to rock’ moment for the last twenty years and they greeted the band and of course main man Ritchie with deafening cheers as they launched straight into ‘Highway Star’, setting the excellent tone for the night.

Ronnie Romero 25th June 2016

Ronnie Romero
25th June 2016

I’ve known vocalist Ronnie Romero since the return of RAINBOW was announced last year and his work with his own band LORDS OF BLACK. Ronnie was a great choice to be the new singer, his voice is exceptional and suits all the material, whether it be DEEP PURPLE or RAINBOW. Ronnie is also a commanding front man and interacted well with the crowd throughout the show.

The other musicians supporting Ritchie consisted of Bob Nouveau on bass, David Keith on drums and Jens Johansson on keyboards, along with two backing singers, one being Candice Night. Even though I know all the previous incarnations of RAINBOW well on recordings, I had never seen the band live before and it did not matter one bit to me that there were no other original musicians playing these shows. I feel the band worked extremely well as a unit and though not very animated (except for Ronnie) that was okay, the musicianship shone through. Not sure if it was just me, but I couldn’t really hear the backing vocals much.
After a few DEEP PURPLE tracks, the band launched into ‘Man On The Silver Mountain’, one of my favourites of the show. Of course nobody could or even wants to replace Ronnie James Dio, but I’m sure would he have loved Ronnie Romero’s vocals on this song, absolutely excellent!

Ritchie Blackmore 25th June 2016

Ritchie Blackmore
25th June 2016

Let’s just get this bit out of the way – as we all know, Ritchie is now 71 years old, so of course combined with his recent surgery, has slowed down since the days of RAINBOW past! Personally, for me it was unbelievable to see such a legend up on that stage, it felt like a momentous and historic occasion where every moment had to be savoured. And Ritchie looked in fine shape, he made his Strat sing all night long! (no pun intended ;)). There were some very cool moments – not once, but twice Ritchie suddenly lay down at the front of the stage and passed a drink to a lucky member of the front row and we heard him speak just once, to introduce Ronnie. He really looked to be having a great time throughout, waving his arm sometimes. The only tiny criticism I have (which isn’t really!) is that he didn’t go to the other side of the stage so I could get a decent photo ;).

‘Soldier Of Fortune’ was another shining moment, full of emotion from both Ronnie and Ritchie, with the crowd singing along in fine voice. ‘Difficult To Cure’ was up next, followed by brilliant bass, keyboard and drum solos.
‘Child In Time’, what can I say, it was absolutely outstanding! Ronnie could easily match Ian Gillan’s voice, this song particularly showcased his amazing vocal range and he has one hell of a scream on him!

Last month we had a special tribute week to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the RAINBOW “Rising” album and as I had listened to it so much recently and gathered other artists thoughts on it, it seemed to make it even more special when the drum intro to ‘Stargazer’ kicked in, then that riff! A definite favourite of the whole show, Ronnie delivered the vocals with all of his heart and soul and Ritchie’s slightly changed solo was brilliant. The icing on the cake was to see this classic performed under the 21st century rainbow lighting rig, just stunning!
The night ended all too quickly (unfortunately without ‘Gates Of Babylon’, maybe next time!) with two more DEEP PURPLE classic tracks for the encores, ‘Burn’ and ‘Smoke On The Water’, I’m sure leaving most people feeling the same way as me – we would love to see more from Ritchie Blackmore’s RAINBOW!

Set List:
Recordings – Land Of Hope And Glory
Over The Rainbow
Highway Star
Spotlight Kid
Mistreated
Since You Been Gone
Man On The Silver Mountain
Soldier Of Fortune
Difficult To Cure
Catch The Rainbow
Perfect Strangers
Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll
Child In Time
Stargazer
Black Night
Encores:
Burn
Smoke On The Water

Show Rating: 10/10

Ritchie Blackmore's RAINBOW 25th June 2016

Ritchie Blackmore’s RAINBOW
25th June 2016

Also, you can watch this short video below, conducted by Metal Shock Finland Chief Editor Mohsen Fayazi, to find out my opinion on the show:

RAINBOW “Rising” At 40: Interviews With Ronnie Romero, Biff Byford

Posted by aliblackdiamond on May 17, 2016
Posted in: Int. News. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

The first two musicians sharing their thoughts on RAINBOW and “Rising” for this 40th anniversary celebration this week, are Ronnie Romero and Biff Byford. The whole interviews with the two vocalists, also discussing their recent works can be heard on the audio players in the article.

Ronnie Romero

Ronnie Romero

Ronnie Romero:

As every Ritchie Blackmore’s RAINBOW fan must know by now, the Chilean born vocalist Ronnie Romero was announced as the part of the new line-up for the band, back in November 2015. Of course Ronnie also has his own band LORDS OF BLACK, based in Spain and they have recently released their second album “II”.

Very recently, photos have been posted online from the New York rehearsals, ahead of the forthcoming shows this summer. So it seems the band are prepared and ready to face the public with the highly anticipated all new RAINBOW very soon. Back in 1976 when “Rising” was released, a more familiar Ronnie was fronting the classic line-up. The songs recorded by the legendary Ronnie James Dio have the most special place in the hearts of his faithful followers.

Back in February we caught up with Ronnie Romero and discussed all things RAINBOW. Ronnie said about “Rising”, “It’s one of my favourite albums. I think it’s the beginning of contemporary heavy metal and rock. I really love Stargazer.”

saxon_biffBiff Byford:

The origins of what was to become the legends of NWOBHM, SAXON, actually began in the year that “Rising” was released. 21 albums later the band are stronger than ever and reign supreme at the forefront of the heavy metal world today.

SAXON frontman Biff Byford discussed RAINBOW in a recent interview with us, his thoughts on “Rising”, Ritchie Blackmore and a funny story from the road years ago.

Talking about RAINBOW albums, Biff stated, “I liked the Dio ones the best – they were rockier, it was more like Deep Purple. I love Rainbow Rising, it’s a great album.”

“I like Run With The Wolf, that’s my favourite on that album“.

Rainbow Rising 40th Anniversary