In a recent interview on the Musical Craft podcast with Pavel Bazdyrev, former Rainbow and Deep Purple vocalist Joe Lynn Turner shared his profound connection with Russia — a country he says feels “very at home” to him.
Turner’s relationship with Russia dates back over three decades, to February 1989, when he toured the Soviet Union as part of Yngwie Malmsteen’s band during the recording of Trial By Fire: Live In Leningrad. At the time, the city now known as Saint Petersburg was still called Leningrad. Reflecting on those early concerts, Turner recalled, “We did 11 shows in Moscow and 11 shows in Leningrad, in big halls. And we had over 20,000 people per night for 11 nights each. Everyone came — babushkas, everybody came out because it was very new.”
Those concerts left a lasting impression on Turner, as they happened under the watchful eyes of the Soviet Union’s strict security forces. “KGB was everywhere, military style, the whole thing — in the hotels, papers, you name it. So it was a very different Russia than what I’ve seen it progress into over the years,” he said.
This stark contrast between the Russia of the past and the present gave Turner a unique perspective on the country’s evolution. He gained a deep appreciation for Russia’s rich culture and history, as well as the resilience of its people. “It brought a sense, to me, of the world — more knowledge of what was really happening here in this country, the depth of the people, the depth of the culture, what they’ve gone through,” Turner explained. “And for example, most Americans have never understood that at all because they’ve never had a war in their country.”
Looking at Russia today, Turner expressed admiration for the progress the country has made since his first visit. “From back then to now, the progress here has been amazing. And I played just about all over Russia … and it came a long way till now.”
When asked why he chose to perform in Russia and Belarus amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, Turner offered insight into his affinity for the region. “Well, thank you. A friend of mine is a prominent podcaster, and he was here for a while and he went back. Now he’s coming back for citizenship. And the reason why is because of exactly what I’m saying, is that the mentality and the depth of character, et cetera, the culture is much more feeling as opposed to the craziness and the materialism that exists. I’m not saying people don’t like materialism everywhere, but there’s a depth here.”
Turner was also asked whether he still feels like a foreigner in Russia or more at home. His answer was clear and heartfelt: “I feel very at home. I wish I can speak more Russian… I can actually understand more than I can speak, but I find the grammar’s very hard. And as a singer, I’m very good with linguistics.”
He noted that English has become a common second language among younger Russians, helping bridge cultural gaps. “I don’t feel that foreign. You know why? Because I think it’s the heart of the people. It’s feeling more than it is differences, whether it’s food and things like that. There are some people that can’t fall into this category, I think. I, however, welcome it and embrace it, the differences — the differences and the similarities. So I feel very comfortable, really.”
Turner’s warm embrace of Russia stands in contrast to many international artists who have canceled their concerts there amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions related to the war in Ukraine. Major record labels have suspended operations in Russia, and streaming services like Spotify have pulled out of the market. Yet for Turner, Russia remains a place where he feels a genuine connection and a deep sense of belonging.
