Blackmore is teaming up with the Lords Of Black vocalist, Stratovarius keyboardist Jens Johansson, Blackmore's Night drummer David Keith and bassist Bob Nouveau for three concerts in June.

"I don't know from how long they had me on their list," Romero tells Rafabasa.com, "but they contacted me some months ago, at the beginning of summer, to tell me about a chance for an audition. I deeply remember that 'first day' and that first 'hello', doing your daily activities and receiving an email from Ritchie Blackmore himself is quite hard to assimilate, after a few days days, even weeks."

Prior to revealing the Rainbow 2016 lineup, Blackmore described Romero as "a cross between Ronnie James Dio meets Freddie Mercury." "I just think about how lucky I feel, not just to get the gig, but how the hell they found me!," says Romero. "Having so many good singers worldwide. From the first contact I just tried to give my best to get it, I always believed in myself and with the support of my family and close friends, even more.

"About his words I just can be thankful, he put the bar quite high with his description. But I'm also glad with his confidence on me to this huge task."