1974 to 1975

Perceived by many as the vehicle used by ex-DEEP PURPLE guitarist RITCHIE BLACKMORE to enhance his own solo standing RAINBOW nevertheless produced some exceptional hard rock albums throughout its tumultuous career. With an ever fluid line-up Blackmore remained the lynchpin throughout it all and established RAINBOW as one of the major Rock bands of its time.

Always a volatile relationship, Blackmore and DEEP PURPLE had almost parted ways in 1972. The guitarist set up a band project titled BABY FACE projected to include THIN LIZZY bassist PHIL LYNOTT, former FREE vocalist PAUL RODGERS and DEEP PURPLE drummer Ian Paice. BABY FACE never got beyond a few jam sessions and both Lynott and Blackmore persevered with their own bands.

Blackmore finally split from DEEP PURPLE seemingly in disgust at the new funkier direction of the 'Stormbringer' album and the rest of the band's refusal to record the QUATERMASS track 'Black Sheep Of The Family'. Previously the guitarist had worked with one of DEEP PURPLE's support bands ELF, whose first album had been produced by ROGER GLOVER and Ian Paice, and with this band he cut his first solo album 'Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow' in 1975. The bulk of the Martin Birch produced material was composed by Blackmore and Dio,bolstered by the aformentioned QUATERMASS cover and an instrumental version of the YARDBIRDS 'Still I'm Sad'. The barnstorming opener 'Man On The Silver Mountain' soon became a stage staple.

With the album making an impression on the American charts Blackmore was sure post DEEP PURPLE success was attainable. The line-up for RAINBOW Mk 1 was virtually ELF plus Blackmore obviously without redundant guitarist Steve Edwards. Featuring vocalist Ronnie James Dio, bassist Craig Gruber, Mickey Lee Soule on keyboards and drummer Gary Driscoll.

The inaugural RAINBOW did not survive long as Blackmore dispensed with those he did not deem up to par. Gruber had left by July 1975, later to form the short lived NINJA, and Driscoll and Lee Soule the following September. A replacement drummer was found in COZY POWELL from STRANGE BREW (which also had among it's ranks erstwhile HUMBLE PIE guitarist Dave Clemson) whilst keyboards were handled by Tony Carey (ex-BLESSINGS) and bass by Scotsman Jimmy Bain, previously a member of HARLOT and STREETNOISE.

RAINBOW debuted in late 1975 playing the West coast of America with a very troublesome rainbow stage prop that unfortunately interfered with the band's PA sound.

1976 to 1977

RAINBOW went into the studio in early 1976 with Martin Birch handling production duties once again to record their second album before heading out on more American dates running from May until August before finally hitting Europe. The European tour coincided with the release of what many regard as the finest RAINBOW recording 'Rainbow Rising' featuring the classic Dio tour de force 'Stargazer'. The British tour completely sold out and RAINBOW rounded off the year with their first Japanese dates.

Quick to capitalize on this initial success the rather lukewarm live album 'Rainbow On Stage' was released. The line-up was soon in disarray once again as after a world tour Bain was unceremoniously fired, he went on to form the ill fated WILD HORSES, whilst Carey was also given his marching orders only to be reprieved for six months.

Bain's place was filled by ex-URIAH HEEP, TEMPEST and COLOSSEUM bassist Mark Clarke but, after 1977 recording sessions in France, Blackmore scrapped both the tapes and gave the boot to Clarke and finally Carey. The recordings were resumed with former WIDOWMAKER bassist Bob Daisley. The position of keyboard player was auditioned by ex-CURVED AIR and ROXY MUSIC man Eddie Jobson, Mark Stein of VANILLA FUDGE and PROCUL HARUM's Matthew Fisher. However, it was a relative unknown, former SYMPHONIC SLAM man David Stone, who eventually stepped in.

1978 to 1980

Before the release of the third album RAINBOW once more performed another sell out UK tour and completed the world tour in Japan during February 1978. 'Long Live Rock n' Roll' presented a much cleaner sound and heralded the beginning of RAINBOW's concentrated assault on the American market. Ditching the infamous rainbow prop the band spent many months slogging across the States. Following the tour Stone and Daisley were asked to leave and rumours abounded that Dio was next on the list.

In January 1979 Dio finally announced he was quitting. After attempts form up a solo band in Connecticut the singer later relocated to Los Angeles to head up BLACK SABBATH, his entry into that British institution marking a renaissance for the band. Meantime Bob Daisley became involved in another thread of the BLACK SABBATH tapestry, helping form up OZZY OSBOURNE's first 'Blizzard Of Ozz' band for a brace of landmark albums. He would subsequently go on to join URIAH HEEP, the GARY MOORE band and BLACK SABBATH.

With the virtual disintegration of the band Blackmore was forced to re-think and opted to invite his former DEEP PURPLE colleague bassist Roger Glover to join the band and produce the next album. Keyboard player DON AIREY was recruited from COZY POWELL'S HAMMER but Blackmore's next potential enlistee proved more elusive. Former DEEP PURPLE mk 2 frontman IAN GILLAN was asked to join but declined, instead offering Blackmore a job in his band! Blackmore did perform one show with GILLAN's band at the Marquee in December 1979 but this was as far as any liaison between the two legends went. STRIFE bassist Gordon Rowley was also asked by Blackmore to join RAINBOW. He lasted one day before forming NIGHTWING.

Blackmore requested the services of TRAPEZE vocalist Pete Goalby who flew from England to the guitarist's home in Connecticut to rehearse. Goalby was offered the job and RAINBOW set about recording the 'Down To Earth' album. However, severe personality clashes developed and recording was halted as Glover was delegated to perform the unpleasant task of informing Goalby he was no longer welcome in Blackmore's eyes. Goalby's stay in RAINBOW lasted just six weeks and the vocalist soon was offered another prime position as frontman for URIAH HEEP.

RAINBOW began auditioning singers and finally settled on the clean cut ex-MARBLES vocalist GRAHAM BONNET, the singer landing the job after just one run through of 'Mistreated'. Recording commenced once more and the next album 'Down To Earth' shed many of the earlier Dio-esque fantasy lyrics and gave RAINBOW a number of charting singles.

The band went on the road in America once more, this time supporting BLUE ÖYSTER CULT throughout October and November before headlining. In February 1980 the band toured Britain backed up by the hit single 'All Night Long'. Blackmore's reputation for moods was further enhanced when he refused to encore at Wembley Arena resulting in a near riot. That May the band toured Japan with six sell out shows in Tokyo and Osaka and yet again were blighted by rumours of various members being sacked. The rumours crystallised into fact when Powell played his last gig with RAINBOW at their headlining appearance at the first 'Monsters Of Rock' festival at Castle Donington on August 16th 1980 alongside acts such as JUDAS PRIEST, SCORPIONS and SAXON. His replacement, New Yorker Bobby Rondinelli (ex-SAMANTHA), was already waiting in the wings having just declined an offer to join KISS.

1981 to 1983

GRAHAM BONNET was to pack his bags (and infamous beach shirts) toward the end of 1980. The singer would put out the commercially successful solo record 'Line Up' in 1981 before pursuing an erratic path through the MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP and then founding ALCATRAZZ in Los Angeles with the Blackmore worshipping Swede YNGWIE MALMSTEEN and former personnel from NEW ENGLAND for the 'No Parole From Rock n' Roll' outing.

By the time of 1981's 'Difficult To Cure' album, recorded in Sweden, was on the streets RAINBOW had another American member. New Jersey born frontman JOE LYNN TURNER had previous experience cutting four albums with RCA act FANDANGO. Bonnet's official parting shot was the inclusion of two live RAINBOW tracks on the 'Monsters Of Rock' album of the event, but in actual fact the former singer had laid down vocals for the next album, subsequently re-recorded by Turner. RAINBOW once more got to grips with North America touring on a bill with the PAT TRAVERS BAND beginning in March before touring Britain, then Japan. During the Japanese dates Airey announced he was leaving and was quickly replaced by ex-MORNING THUNDER and BOSTON man David Rosenthal who debuted on 'Straight Between The Eyes'. Despite success in Europe and Japan RAINBOW were still finding the going tough in America.

'Bent Out Of Shape' was a much harder edged affair than the previous two albums and featured new drummer Chuck Burgi, previously with BRAND X and BALANCE, in place of Rondinelli, later to form his own outfit RONDINELLI, later journeying through BLACK SABBATH, QUIET RIOT and BLUE ÖYSTER CULT. The band was effectively put on hold while Blackmore negotiated with IAN GILLAN, at the time ensconced in BLACK SABBATH, to reform the classic Mk 2 DEEP PURPLE line up.

Turner signed to Elektra to pursue an ill fated solo career before teaming up with YNGWIE MALMSTEEN for a stormy working relationship that still managed to deliver the Swedish axe guru's best selling album to date 'Odyssey' before coming full circle reuniting with Blackmore in DEEP PURPLE for the 'Slaves And Masters opus. Latterly Turner has fronted MOTHER'S ARMY with another former RAINBOW man bassist Bob Daisley. Rosenthal joined Dutch band HAMMERHEAD.

'Live In Germany' is a set featuring the Dio / Blackmore / Powell / Bain / Carey line up from 1976.

1984 to 2007

With tensions beginning to show in the DEEP PURPLE camp, bizarrely Blackmore was linked to the reformation of WHITESNAKE in 1994, but rumours of a RAINBOW reformation continued unabated. Blackmore finally walked out on DEEP PURPLE prior to some Japanese dates, being swiftly replaced by JOE SATRIANI then STEVE MORSE. In late 1994 Blackmore was rehearsing as a solo artist in Connecticut with ex-LA PAZ, SOLE ASYLUM, PRAYING MANTIS and MIDNIGHT BLUE vocalist Doogie White. The singer had first come to Blackmore's attention when the ambitious Scotsman had dropped off a tape with DEEP PURPLE's tour manager at Blackmore's last London gig with his old troupe.

Also involved in these formative steps was VIRGIN STEELE and RONDINELLI bassist Rob DeMartino. This inevitably culminated in a RAINBOW reformation with the addition of ex-ALICE COOPER and BLUE ÖYSTER CULT bassist Greg Smith, keyboard player Paul Morris and drummer John O'Reilly.

Before long O'Reilly had jumped to BLUE ÖYSTER CULT and ex-RAINBOW drummer Chuck Burgi, who had been replaced by O'Reilly in BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, joined the fold. Eventually Burgi returned to BLUE ÖYSTER CULT and O'Reilly was back in position for RAINBOW. This bizarre scenario of swapping drummers between the two acts did not end there as Burgi's place in BLUE ÖYSTER CULT was taken shortly after by Bobby Rondinelli- ex RAINBOW! 1994 also saw the release of an album with strong RAINBOW connections. The band RED DAWN featured ex keyboard player David Rosenthal, drummer Chuck Burgi and bassist Greg Smith.

RAINBOW completed a highly successful tour of Europe during the winter of 1995 marred only by the apathetic rejection of the British media. RAINBOW was duly put on ice once again.

White released an album of pre-RAINBOW material titled 'Eros Of Love And Destruction' with his side project CHAIN in 1996. Featured musicians included FM keyboard player Jem Davis and VAN DAMME guitarist Ashley John Limer.

During the latter half of 1997 White reunited with Smith another ex-RAINBOW and BLUE ÖYSTER CULT man drummer Jon Miceli to forge an untitled act completed by GUN / BRUCE DICKINSON guitarist Alex Dickson. However, Dickson landed the plum job of guitarist for ROBBIE WILLIAMS. By 1999 White was to be found fronting XFM, a covers band led by erstwhile FM guitarist Andy Barnett.

O'Reilly formed WESTWORLD with TNT frontman Tony Harnell issuing a debut album in 1999. The same year a confederation of name German Rockers billed as CATCH THE RAINBOW formed a project uniquely dedicated to covering RAINBOW songs. The 1999 album, conceived in the main by HELLOWEEN drummer Uli Kusch, would see vocal contributions from BRAINSTORM's Henne Basse, HELLOWEEN's ANDI DERIS and PRIMAL FEAR's Ralph Scheepers.

Guitars would be laid on by GAMMA RAY's Henjo Richter, the HELLOWEEN pairing of ROLAND GRAPOW and Michael Weikath. Bass came courtesy of erstwhile GAMMA RAY man Uwe Wessel, GRAVE DIGGER's Jens Becker and HELLOWEEN's Marcus Grosskopf with keyboards supplied by ROUGH SILK man Ferdy Doernberg, HELLOWEEN's Jørn Ellerbrøck and ZED YAGO's Markus Glossner. The resulting album 'A tribute To Rainbow' achieved high sales in mainland Europe.

Despite the success of the last RAINBOW album Blackmore's next move was to issue a Folk Rock album under the title BLACKMORE'S NIGHT in collaboration with his girlfriend Candice Night. Nevertheless, rumours abounded towards the close of the year that Blackmore had approached both Ronnie James Dio and Bob Daisley to recreate a classic RAINBOW line up. Dio would not deny the stories and indeed Daisley joined DIO for their Scandinavian tour. Meantime the guitarist's move into medieval Folk proved astute, his BLACKMORE'S NIGHT venture proving hugely successful.

White created CORNERSTONE in 2000 in alliance with ROYAL HUNT bassist Steen Morgensen and the album 'Arrival'. The singer had also assembled his own ICE project band and holds the dubious honour of being known to millions as the voice on the 'Action Man' toy TV advert! By September 2001 White was ensconced in Swedish guitar maestro YNGWIE MALMSTEEN's live band.

Of interest to RAINBOW fans would be the HUGHES TURNER PROJECT 2002 album 'Live In Tokyo'. Featuring JOE LYNN TURNER, alongside fellow veteran and erstwhile colleague of Richie Blackmore's from his DEEP PURPLE days GLENN HUGHES. The record included versions of RAINBOW's 'Death Alley Driver', 'I Surrender', 'Street Of Dreams' and 'Spotlight Kid'.

Blackmore has stated that a RAINBOW reformation cannot be ruled out. However, the guitarist took action on a German Rock magazine who brought up the well worn rumour again in late 2002, forcing a written retraction. In early 2004 Ronnie James Dio, believing his act DIO to be charged with the responsibility of keeping the RAINBOW legacy alive on stage, revealed that he had been open to a reformation for many years but all but given up on the idea. However, in March of 2005 the RAINBOW stories re-surfaced once more, mooting a possible series of live dates to feature Dio, Blackmore, Bain and drummer Vinnie Appice. Less than 24 hours after this "leak" official word came from Blackmore's management team strongly refuting the claims.

A more solid revelation came in December when it was announced that Ritchie Blackmore had re-forged links with JOE LYNN TURNER, cutting a duet with Candice Night on a re-work of RAINBOW's 'Street Of Dreams' for the BLACKMORE'S NIGHT album 'Village Lanterne'.

In 2006 VAP Japan released a lavish six CD RAINBOW box set 'Deutschland Tournee 1976' covering three complete concerts: Cologne Sept. 25th, 1976, Düsseldorf Sept. 27th, 1976 and Nurnberg Sept. 28th, 1976.

In November 2008 it was learned that singer JOE LYNN TURNER had joined erstwhile RAINBOW musicians Tony Carey, Bobby Rondinelli and Greg Smith plus guitarist Jürgen Blackmore, son of Ritchie Blackmore, in the band OVER THE RAINBOW. 

Garry Sharpe-Young