OVER THE RAINBOW
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 17th March 2009.
Over The Rainbow is the modern continuation of the legendary band Rainbow. Featuring Joe Lynn Turner, Bobby Rondinelli, Tony Carey, Greg Smith and Ritchie Blackmore's son, Jurgen, the band is now touring the world and bringing the music to a whole new generation.
Drummer, Bobby, answers questions.
Hi Bobby, thanks for taking a moment to answer these questions. How is life treating you at present?
Bobby: It's all good, I play with Bonnie Tyler in the US and Canada, Nacho Mama, and Rondinelli in the New York area, as well as sessions, drum clinics, teach quite a bit, so thank God I keep very busy.
How did you get into drumming... and when did you know it was going to be what you did for a living?
Bobby: I wanted to play drums from the first time I saw the Beatles.
Who were your musical influences and inspirations?
Bobby: Dino Dinelli, Carmine Appice, Ringo, Ginger Baker, John Bonham, and Buddy Rich.
You've played with some HUGE bands during your career. Do any in particular stand out for both enjoyment and the quality of material you were able to produce?
Bobby: Rainbow will always be special to me because it was my 1st big band, but Sabbath was fun, and very heavy.
How does it feel when you hear tracks that you've played on pumping out through the radio?
Bobby: I still dig it, I'm lucky to have played on some cool tracks.
How did the 'Over The Rainbow' project come about?
Bobby: I think the interest might have started when Tony Carey started talking about Purple/Rainbow, but about 6 or 7 months ago Joe gave me a call and said, what do you think about putting a band together with Jurgen. I thought it was a great idea, Joe and I conference called Jurgen and we asked him if he was interested, when he said yes, then we asked Tony and Greg.
It's been a long time since you played with an iteration of Rainbow. Have you had opportunities to rejoin the band in the past?
Bobby: No...
How did the shows in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus go? Is there a good vibe going on between the members? The video on the OTR MySpace page looks pretty lively!
Bobby: The shows went great, the fans blew me away, they were so into it. The band vibe is great, I love playing with these guys, we play great and laugh a lot.
What's it like working with a Blackmore again?
Bobby: It's great, Jurgen is a pleasure to work with, I consider him a close friend.
Any chance of a new album?
Bobby: I think at some point we will record.
There's a few gigs planned in Japan. Are there plans to come to Europe, and maybe even the UK?
Bobby: Yes there are, we will play everywhere.
What's the craziest/stupidest thing you've done or seen whilst out on the road?
Bobby: Answering that would piss someone off, next question...
Are you still finding time for drum clinics and teaching in between concerts?
Bobby: Yes I am still doing clinics, I love doing them, any shops or schools interested can contact me at http://www.myspace.com/bobbyrondinelli
Do you have any more drumming books in the pipeline?
Bobby: I have an updated Encyclopedia of Double Bass Drumming that should be finished soon, it will have about 400 new beats and exercises.
Is being a drummer work, pleasure or both?
Bobby: Drumming is my life, the harder you work the more fun it becomes!
Is there anyone you'd still love to work with?
Bobby: I would love to jam with Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and Jack Bruce, not necessarily in that order.
Thanks for your time Bobby!
Bobby: Jon, thanks for the cool questions
Catch Over The Rainbow on the road somewhere, sometime this year. And if you fancy a drum clinic with the best, you know where to look!
