RITCHIE BLACKMORE's RAINBOW Post First Official Band Photo For Upcoming Shows

Guitar legend Ritchie Blackmore will be back to the stages of rock in 2016. Two shows in Germany were recently confirmed, taking place at the Monsters Of Rock Festival 2016 on June 18th and Loreley, Freilichtbühneon on June 17th. A UK date has also been confirmed. It will take place on Saturday, June 25th 2016 at Genting Arena in Birmingham, England.

Blackmore has since revealed his band line-up for these exclusive shows, which will include singer Ronnie Romero, keyboardist Jens Johansson (Stratovarius), drummer David Keith (Blackmore’s Night) and bassist Bob Nouveau. The first official band photo can be viewed above.

Blackmore recently spoke with Billboard.com about these special shows:

“I’m now 70, so I just felt like playing some rock ‘n’ roll for a few days. We’re going to do four or five dates of just playing the old rock stuff, Purple stuff and Rainbow. I’m doing it for the fans, for nostalgia, and the singer I found is very exciting; he’s a cross between Dio meets Freddie Mercury. So this will mean exposing a new singer to the masses, and I’m sure he’ll become pretty famous because of his voice.”

p>In a new interview with Rafabasa.com, vocalist Ronnie Romero discusses the upcoming dates and more. An excerpt follows:

Q: When was the first time you realized that you had a chance to sing with Rainbow? When and how were the first contacts with Ritchie and his management?

A: “That’s true, these last days have been crazy for me and for everyone that surrounds me. I don’t know from how long they had me on their list, but they contacted me some months ago, at the beginning of summer, to tell me about a chance for an audition. I deeply remember that “first day” and that first “hello”, doing your daily activities and receiveing an email from Ritchie Blackmore himself is quite hard to assimilate, after a few days days, even weeks.” (laughs)

Q: Why do you think that Ritchie chose you as his new singer? Ritchie himself revealed last September that he had a vocalist who was a cross between Ronnie James Dio and Freddie Mercury. Of course he was talking about you.

A: “You should ask him probably, I just think about how lucky I feel, not just to get the gig, but how the hell they found me! Having so many good singers worldwide. From the first contact I just tried to give my best to get it, I always believed in myself and with the support of my family and close friends, even more. About his words I just can be thankful, he put the bar quite high with his description (laughs). But I’m also glad with his confidence on me to this huge task.”