New RAINBOW Singer RONNIE ROMERO Says First Three Comeback Shows Were 'A Dream Come True'

Originally from Chile and now settled in Madrid, Spain, new RAINBOW singer Ronnie Romero spoke to Metal Shock Finland's Alison Booth about the band's recent three comeback shows and the possibility of future performances from the Ritchie Blackmore-led outfit. You can now listen to the chat at this location. A couple of excerpts follow.

On he feels after performing the first three RAINBOW shows:

Romero: "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 bandmates in RAINBOW, [but also the chance to] meet the fans so close to the stage and backstage and all the people going to the show. And then, all these musicians that I love and that [were] at the shows and [they] talked to me and told me that I [did] a great job. But it's a dream come true."

On RAINBOW rehearsals for recent shows:

Romero: "Well, there [were] two rounds of rehearsals — one in November and the other in May. And we rehears[ed] maybe a couple of weeks at a time. It was a little bit strange, because [they weren't] rehearsals like I know a rehearsal. [They were more] like jam sessions and improvisations a lot with the songs."

On working with RAINBOW mainman Ritchie Blackmore:

Romero: "Ritchie is Ritchie. It's amazing to see how he can still play guitar at 71 years old. It's amazing. He's a legend. Ritchie is a really nice guy inside the band. He made me feel very comfortable and very good. And all the bandmembers, we have like a little family, you know. Ritchie [made] me feel very good, not just in the rehearsals, but [also] on stage [during these] two weeks of tour[ing]."

On how he feels about his performances with RAINBOW:

Romero: "I feel really good with my job, because I tried to make justice, not just to the songs, but all these singers — Ronnie James Dio, Joe Lynn Turner, Graham Bonnet, Ian Gillan and David Coverdale. I just tried 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 these songs of Ronnie James Dio and David Coverdale and whatever. And I think the people prefer that, and they really appreciate the situation, because I think the people don't like to see a guy or pay for a ticket to see a guy try to sing like Ronnie James Dio. It's not a good idea. So I feel really good with my job and I know the people and the fans that have sent me messages and told me that they really appreciated [how I interpreted the songs]."

On whether there will be more shows for RAINBOW:

Romero: "I hope so. I really hope that we can do some more shows, maybe next year. I have a really great feeling about the band and about this relatship with Ritchie. He's really happy with the results, he's really happy with the audience [response]. And maybe we can make some more shows next year."

The new lineup of RAINBOW made its live debut on June 17 at the Monsters Of Rock festival at Freilichtbühne in Loreley, Germany. Joining Ritchie in the group were Romero, STRATOVARIUS keyboardist Jens Johansson, BLACKMORE'S NIGHT drummer David Keith and bassist Bob Nouveau (a.k.a. Robert "Bob" Curiano, ex-BLACKMORE'S NIGHT).