Early Career to Present
In high school, Joe formed Ezra, performing original material and cover songs by such artists as Jimi Hendrix, Free and Deep Purple. In 1976, JLT enjoyed his first taste of national success with Fandango, a band described as an eclectic mix of R&B, pop, country, jazz and melodic rock. Turner sang and played guitar on all of the band's four albums. Fandango toured with numerous artists including The Allman Brothers, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Beach Boys and Billy Joel.
After Fandango split, JLT received a phone call from legendary Deep Purple and Rainbow guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. This resulted in an audition and Blackmore was so impressed that he immediately enlisted Joe in Rainbow.
Rainbow, while popular in Europe and Japan, had not reached the same level of success in the US before JLT joined. With Turner's contributions (largely considered more pop-oriented), the group was catapulted to a new level of American success. Several tracks from albums with Turner reached the Top 20 on rock radio charts in the early- to mid-80's. "Stone Cold" became Rainbow's first Top 40 hit and the band's videos were played in heavy airplay on MTV. Turner recorded three studio albums with Rainbow: Difficult to Cure, Straight Between the Eyes, and Bent Out of Shape, which featured the single "Street of Dreams". Rainbow disbanded in 1984, and Blackmore rejoined Deep Purple.
After the break-up of Rainbow, Joe released a solo album, Rescue You, produced by Roy Thomas Baker, known for his work with Queen and The Cars. JLT co-wrote most of the songs with keyboardist Al Greenwood (Foreigner). The first single, "Endlessly," received extensive airplay on radio and MTV. A tour with Pat Benatar and an acting role in the movie Blue Deville followed.
In 1987 Joe also supplied backing vocals to the Michael Bolton album 'The Hunger'. He appeared on the tracks 'Hot Love' and 'Gina'.
In 1988, he joined Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force and recorded the greatly successful album Odyssey (1988). The brief tour that followed the release of the album included a concert in Leningrad which was recorded and then released as Trial by Fire (1989). In 1989 he left the band to join his ex-bandmates Ritchie Blackmore and Roger Glover by replacing Ian Gillan in Deep Purple, making him their fifth singer. With Deep Purple Joe recorded the album Slaves & Masters. The album's sound was different from the traditional Deep Purple sound, and although many thought it sounded fresh, in general Deep Purple fans did not like it. The tour supporting the album was financially successful, but the audiences were unhappy with Turner's performances and vocal about their desire for a return of previous singer Ian Gillan. After the tour, Joe was fired, reportedly much to his and Blackmore's displeasure.
Joe Lynn Turner has been working mainly on his prolific solo career since his departure from Deep Purple and has worked with Glenn Hughes under the "Hughes Turner Project" name and with the Bulgarian guitarist Nikolo Kotzev and his band Brazen Abbot. Joe also participated in Nikolo Kotzev's rock opera Nikolo Kotzev's Nostradamus. He has also put out 3 albums under the band name Mother's Army. In recent years he took on very successful studio project Sunstorm and worked with Japanese Guitar player Akira Kajiyama for the album Fire Without Flame. Joe Lynn Turner was a guest in the Voices Of Classic Rock Shows, along with his colleague Glenn Hughes. In 2005, Joe had a guest appearance on Blackmore's Night album The Village Lanterne singing on the Bonus track Street Of Dreams, which was originally written by him and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore with the band Rainbow.
In recent years, Joe Lynn Turner has performed in several concerts alongside Graham Bonnet, his predecessor in Rainbow and has also been a member of a touring band Big Noize.
In 2008 he has formed Over The Rainbow, a new band comprising of former Rainbow musicians (Bobby Rondinelli on drums, Greg Smith on bass, Tony Carey on keyboards - replaced in mid 2009 by Paul Morris) and Ritchie Blackmore's son J.R. Blackmore on guitar.
Young Hearts
Joe Lynn Turner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're much too young, falling much too fast
Well, just how empty can their hearts be
Did they lose love's memory?
Go on dreaming... keep believing
'Cause what we're feeling is everything we need
(All the) young hearts breaking free
With every beat inside you and me
Keep the flame of love burning bright
Here we are, hand in hand
Restless souls in the promised land
And everything we feel inside is right here in
Our eyes
Go on dreaming... keep believing
'Cause what we're feeling
Is everything weneed
(All the) young hearts breaking free
With every beat inside you and me
(All the) young hearts in the night
Keep the flame of love burning bright
The lyrics of Joe Lynn Turner’s “Young Hearts” speak of two young lovers who are constantly being told that their love will not last due to their youth and the rapid pace at which they are falling in love. However, the couple refuses to let the opinions of others affect their relationship, as they know that they are meant to be together. They choose to continue their love and ignore the negativity, as they believe that what they feel is everything they need.
The song celebrates the passion and intensity of young love and encourages individuals to hold on to their feelings and emotions, especially when they are genuine. The chorus is especially uplifting, highlighting the energy and drive possessed by young hearts. The lyrics state that these hearts are breaking free with every beat inside them, and they will keep the flame of love alive, regardless of any obstacles in their way.
Overall, the message of the song is to keep on believing in love and to never let anyone else tell you not to follow your heart, for true love knows no age or limitations.
Line by Line Meaning
They say our love will never last
Others criticize and doubt the longevity of our relationship
We're much too young, falling much too fast
Our youth and speed of falling in love are the reasons why they question the sustainability of our relationship
Well, just how empty can their hearts be
One wonders how devoid of emotion and experience the doubters are
Did they lose love's memory?
One asks if they ever experienced the intensity and passion of young love
Go on dreaming... keep believing
Encouraging each other to continue holding onto their faith in their love
'Cause what we're feeling is everything we need
Their love is enough to sustain them and make them happy
(All the) young hearts breaking free
They are young and free from societal constraints, and their hearts are unafraid to love
With every beat inside you and me
Their love and passion for each other is reflected in their heartbeats
(All the) young hearts in the night
Their love exists in the darkness, it is not influenced by external factors
Keep the flame of love burning bright
They must work to keep their love alive and shining
Here we are, hand in hand
They are together, united and supportive of each other
Restless souls in the promised land
They are adventurous and restless, exploring the possibilities of their futures together
And everything we feel inside is right here in
Their emotions for each other are evident in their eyes and expression
Our eyes
Their eyes reflect their love and passion for each other
Writer(s): JOE LYNN TURNER, ALAN GREENWOOD
Contributed by Aaliyah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.