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Pierre Gren: Iīve always wondered how someone could have the guts to start a career as a professional musician. When did you decide to start to sing ? Which were your first bands, and when did you relese your first album ?
Doogie White: I was asked to sing, more to stop me from playing guitar
than anything else really. Also I thought it was a good way to meet girls. No
one told me however, that later they take the house, the car and the dog.
My first proper band was La Paz and we did 2 cassette only albums. Old Habits
Die Hard and The Amy Tapes.
Both sold out.
Pierre: I first got the hear you when you joined Rainbow, but you almost got the spot as the singer of another great band, Iron Maiden. How was that ? To meet the guys and so ?
Doogie: I auditioned twice for Maiden, first and last. I had to learn
a lot of songs and believe me they were tough.
The band sounded great but I was not the voice that Steve was looking for.
Pierre: I think Iīm not the only one, who wanīt to know what you sounded like singing Maiden songs. Was it hard ? Which songs did you sing ?
Doogie: I had to sing 20 songs from Iron Maiden to Fear of the Dark
and all in between.
The individual songs have difficult parts to sing but the problem is when you
put 20 together.
The actual vocal stamina needed is immence. Bruce made it look easy.
You want to hear what I sounded like ?? Check out 666 the Number of the Beast
vols 1&2 on Cleopatra Records. I sing four songs, Bring your Daughter, The Clairvoyan,
Hallowed, The Evil that Men Do
Pierre: They chose Blaze instaed of you, strange, since I think you are a greater vocalist.
Doogie: Blaze was more the voice they wanted and more the image. He had a depth and thickness to his voice, I did not .
Pierre: What did you do after the audition ?
Doogie: I went to the pub and had a beers or two.
Pierre: Finally you got in touch with Ritchie Blackmore, how did that happen?
Doogie: I had passed a tape to Ritchie years earlier and he had found it and called me up. We chatted and he asked me to come over to Long Island.
Pierre: Were you nervous with him at first ? I mean, he is "the man in black".
Doogie: No... Well slightly I suppose. I wanted the gig, so it was important that we got on. I knew what to expect. Well I thought I did . He`s a nice but rather complex person.
Pierre: How did you feel, getting your big chance ? Was the pressure hard, to write songs for Rainbow ?
Doogie: I was very pleased to be in the band and of course excited at the prospect of writing. We started very quickly. Some songs came easily some not so.
Pierre: Which songs on the album was easy/hard to write ?
Doogie: What became Black Maquerade went through at least 3 diffrent melody and lyric rewrites. Silence was the same. Stand and fight and Hunting Humans were straight forward.
Pierre: How much did you get to decide ? About the songs and such ?
Doogie: In the beginning I had full say on lyrics and melodies and had to mention to Ritchie if he was repeating himself, at his request. Then he started wanting Candy to be involved in lyrics. I thought she did a good job.
Pierre: The result, "Stranger in us all", a GREAT album, were you satisfied ?
Doogie: Yes.... Looking back... still yes. There are a few songs that did not make it and, maybe one or two that could have been different. But one has to draw the line and stop or you`ll never finish.
Pierre: The choice of single, Ariel, I think it was kinda strange, itīs a very good song, but canīt compete with my favorite track, Hunting Humans. What was behind the choice of Ariel ?
Doogie: I thought it was an odd choice. Certainly if the idea was to
get airplay on radio and the like.
Some cynics have suggested that it was released because Candy wrote it and she
would get the money. Personally ,I thought it was the wrong choice, especially
as Ritchie wanted me to write single material..ie Too Late for Tears, Stand
and Fight to try and get airplay. Weird.
Pierre: Hunting Humans, WOW ! How did you write it ?
Doogie: Ritchie and the guys were jamming the riff round and round.
Fred West, serial killer had just hanged himself and I had been reading about
it. I was also reading a book about Dennis Nielsen another sociopath. These
evil beings are a facination for people. They do the things we dare not. They
live normally amongst us and we never see them.... till its too late.
The sinister flow of the music suggested the lyrics and melody. Someone thought
it was the most beautiful song she had heard and had it played at her wedding.
With a nice Chianti no doubt...........................
Pierre: So which was your favorite song on the album ?
Doogie: They all have very special memories for me. I would have left off Still I`m Sad.
Pierre: From the show I saw, you really enjoyed it. How was it to get to sing old Rainbow songs ?
Doogie: I did enjoy my time on the road with Rainbow. Singing those classic tunes was a blast as well as seeing how the crowds reacted to the new ones. Which was very positive.
Pierre: Any songs you wish you would have done, but didnīt ?
Doogie: I still have the list that I wrote for Ritchie. It Includes
Kill the King amongst others. I also still have the one he gave me that says
"this set list is not open for discussion".
We were trying, at that time at least, to promote and create a new band. We
realised that we had to do some classics and between us we chose what we played.
Pierre: Also, I must say, that hearing you sing "Temple of the King", really put a spell on me. Iīve always wanted to hear Ronnie do it, and never thought anyone could do it as good as him. You proved me wrong.
Doogie: We first sang that song at Ritchie's Christmas party and he remembered and said we should do it in the live set, I thought the set was well balanced new, old, classic, Purple. I`m glad you liked it. Always a show stopper.
Pierre: So what happened to Rainbow ? And to you ?
Doogie: Ritchie built a time machine and so far has not returned. I lost my ticket for the ride.
Pierre: What are you doing right now ? and in the future ? Any tours ?
Doogie: I am recording a solo album at the moment with some great players. It is due for release later in the year. Its a big dark heavy monster. I`ve also done an album for Cornerstone which was fun to do. All the details can be found on www.doogiewhite.co.uk
Pierre: Ritchie has said to be wanting to play "heavier" after the next Blackmoreīs Night album, will we see/hear you in Rainbow again ? I know I hope so.
Doogie: Oh, his Time Machine has landed has it!!!!?? People are full
of wishful thinking about this, all the time.
Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to do another album with Rainbow.
I`m sure others would have something to say about it though. We have unfinished
business him and I...
Pierre: You ever speak to Richie ?
Doogie: Not Physically
Pierre: I sure hope that you will in the future, so we might see another
Rainbow album. Thanks a lot for allowing me to make an interview with you, and
it has been very fun, and interesting.
Before we end it, I have some OT questions for you.
Pierre: Favorite soccer team ? Doogie: Motherwell FC and Scotland.
Pierre: Favorite beer ? Doogie: London Pride
Pierre: Favorite singer ? Doogie: James Taylor
Pierre: Favorite Rainbow song ? Doogie: Tarot Woman
Pierre: Favorite question asked to you in an interview ? Doogie: Would you like another London Pride?
Pierre: Magic to you Doogie, and have a great new year !
Doogie: And to you ! Thanks for the interview..............
This interview with Doogie White made by Pierre Gren - Spring 2001
For more information about Doogie, visit his official homepage: www.doogiewhite.co.uk
