Doogie White was the vocalist in the last incarnation of Rainbow. With Ritchie Blackmore he created one of the bands best albums 'Stranger In Us All', since then news has been scarce but that is about to change with several projects in the pipeline. Read on to find out about Rainbow and Doogies cuurent projects.
What age did you first start
to realise you could sing and who are your influences?
I was asked to sing at the age of 16. My influences
were always the Purple and Rainbow guys.
I’d like to start a little
with your career pre Rainbow, I believe you were in a band called Midnight
Blue – did you release anything with this band?
There is one Album Called "Take the Money and Run"
The guitarist Alex Dickson left to join GUN then Bruce Dickinson and now
Robbie William's.
How did you get the gig
in Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow?
I gave a tape to Colin Hart and 3 years later Ritchie
called me.
Is has often been said that
working with Ritchie Blackmore can be ‘difficult’, what was your personal
experience working with him?
He is a very demanding character. I got on very
well with him on and off the stage.
In ‘Strangers In Us All’
I think you made the best Rainbow album since ‘Long Live Rock N Roll’.
How were the songs written? Was it basically Ritchie saying here’s a riff
put some lyrics to this or was it more of a ‘band’ thing?
Ritchie came up with a riff and the band joined
in. I would wail along till it settled in to a format and then Ritchie
would change it and we'd start again.
RAINBOW PROMO SHOT c.1995
(L-R:- Ritchie Blackmore, Greg Smith, Doogie White,
John O Reilly, Paul Morris)
Was it difficult or intimidating
to fill the shoes of Dio, Bonnet and Turner who had all sung in Rainbow
before you?
Well the band had been over for a long time. So
it wasn't as daunting as it would have been had I just stepped in as a
replacement. But those guys were my heroes when I was a lad so I had the
greatest respect for the history of RAINBOW and tried to uphold the tradition
and give the audiences what I would have wanted to see.
Given Rainbow’s history
of great all round live performances, did you feel any pressure before
your first concert as lead vocalist?
First concert yes. After that it was a different
kinda nerves. We had a cracking line up of the band. People will always
hark back to the 70s. But the truth is the guys rocked.
The live tapes I have heard
from the ‘Stranger In Us All’ tour showed an ultra powerful band brimming
with enthusiasm and confidence, Blackmore's playing was infinitely more
‘involved’ than on the ‘DP – Battles Rages On’ tour. Did you get the impression
that Ritchie was digging the ‘rock’ thing again?
It was his thing again. And I agree that his playing
on some nights was his best for years. As for the rest of us, it not hard
to be inspired when you play with someone like him. Now on a bad night......
Rainbow Promo Shot c.1995
(L-R): Doogie White, Paul Morris, TMIB, John O'Reilly,
Greg Smith.
Did a second album ever
get planned, any tracks written /recorded before Ritchie formed ‘Blackmore’s
Night’?
We were going to get together in March 98 to do
a second album. There were some things left over from SIUA. But if they
were not good enough for Stranger then they wont make the next one. I have
a few tracks should I get the call.
What are your favourite
tracks from ‘Stranger In Us All’?
Ariel, Hunting Humans and Black Masquerade.
You recently sang vocals
on Nikolo Kotzev's "Nostradamus", could you give us some information on
which particular role you played?
I was a story teller. a narrator if you will. I
co wrote 4 songs with Nik. Ive yet to hear the final results. He has a
big plan in the wings so I 'd better say no more other than it was great
fun.
Last year you did some gigs
under the name ‘XFM’ with Andy Barnett [FM] and
Benjamin Reid. I believe this was just a covers live band for fun – is
it still a going concern?
We still get together as XFM from time to time.
What are you currently up
to music wise?
I am busy putting the final touches to my first
solo album. Then the work really begins trying to get it released.
Where do you see your music
heading in the next few years?
Cruise liners would be nice
Any parting messages for
your fans?
Mines a pint.
Doogie, thanks for doing
this interview and I wish you all the best in the future.
You are very welcome
QUESTIONS BY ANDY CRAVEN © 2000
Read The Domain's Review of 'Stranger In Us All' HERE