In April 1975, Ritchie Blackmore departed from Deep Purple to form a new band. He teamed up with the core of the American band Elf, (Ronnie James Dio on vocals, Mickey Lee Soule on keyboards, Craig Gruber on bass and Gary Driscoll on drums), with whom Ritchie also had previously recorded the Quatermass song, 'Black Sheep Of The Family". Elf were signed to Purple Records, and had been touring as the support band for Deep Purple. The new band was named Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, but was later shortened to Rainbow, only to reappear as Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow on later occasions. In May of '75, the band would record their self titled debut album at Musicland Studios in Munich, Germany. As the album escalates up the charts (reaching #30 in U.S.), Soule, Gruber, and Driscoll would depart the band, and Blackmore recruited ex-Hariot bassist Jimmy Bain, ex-Blessings keyboardist Tony Carey, and ex-Jeff Beck Group drummer Cozy Powell. Thus the classic line-up of Rainbow was born. In July 1976, the band would release their first album with the new line-up, 'Rainbow Rising'.
 

RISING (1976) POLYDOR

'Rising' is truly one of rock 'n' roll history's most classic albums. It was Rainbow's second effort, and now the band was simply named Rainbow (the first album went under the moniker Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow). I have never really gotten into this album, but one song sticks out as a huge all time favorite. "Stargazer" is just about the best song ever written, and it contains everything a metal song should, and then some. What a fantastic melody-line, perfectly sung by Dio. And the guitar-work is of course stunning. The whole song is build around the theme of this guy building a tower. He was convinced that if he just went high enough, he would be able to fly. (Iron Maiden's "Flight Of Icarus" is also about the same man.) And the lyrics tells about all the slaves working for their lives, to build this tower. The dramatic highpoint is of course when Icarus climbs to the top, and throws himself out. You can literally hear him climb, and leap off the edge. Then he starts to fall, faster and faster, as the guitars demonstrates so chillingly. We all know what happened to Icarus, and there ends my interest in this album as well. I would lie if I said that all the other songs weren't any good. But to me "Stargazer" is the song that makes this album worth owning.

Killer tracks: Eh, did you read the review? :-)

LONG LIVE ROCK 'N' ROLL (1978) POLYDOR

The 70's saw the birth of heavy metal. And few bands have had more impact on the scene then Rainbow. The guitar virtuoso Blackmore, the unearthly vocals and the mystic lyrics done by Dio, and the colorful keyboard backdrop courtesy of David Stone, and the awesome drumming from Cozy Powell, and bass-wizardry courtesy of Daisley, this album delivers everything we today think of when we here the term heavy metal. And to top it all of, "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll" might me one of the first metal anthems ever written. Of course, who can resist the magic of "Gates Of Babylon", and "Kill The King". The latter might be one of the most covered Rainbow songs ever, and was in fact released on 7" single the year before, in a live version. The album rounds off with the beautiful ballad, "Rainbow Eyes", another Dio moment. 'Long Live Rock 'n' Roll' is probably my favorite album by this band. Sadly it was the last one to feature most of the classic Rainbow line-up.

Killer tracks: Long Live Rock 'n' Roll, Gates Of Babylon, Kill The King, Rainbow Eyes

BENT OUT OF SHAPE (1983) POLYDOR

'Bent Out Of Shape' is the third Rainbow album featuring Joe Lynn Turner on vocals. The ever revolving doors have this time around added drummer Chuck Burgi to the line-up. But the music is the same early 80's hard rock the band had been churning out on the last 2 albums. Keyboard heavy, ultra-melodic and with Mr. Blackmore's signature guitar-style. Joe Lynn Turner is of course a power house singer. But I always found him to be a little anonymous. He can sing better than most, but he lacks that certain something, the charisma of a timeless frontman/singer. The production is once again handled by Deep Purple 4-string bender, and since 1978 current Rainbow resident, Roger Glover. I find this album to sound more like Deep Purple then anything from the Dio-era Rainbow. And if you compare it to Deep Purple's 'Perfect Stranger', released 1 year later than 'Bent Out Of Shape', and featuring the returned Ritchie Blackmore and Roger Glover, it could almost have been released by the same band. Heck, the organ intro, and the following riff on "Can't Let You Go" is clearly what inspired the title track from the already mentioned Purple album! It's just that 'Bent Out Of Shape' lacks the over-the-top memorable songs, in my opinion. 'Difficult To Cure' had "I Surrender" and 'Straight Between The Eyes' had "Stone Cold" and "Miss Mistreated". This one is more of a symbiosis of mediocre songs. That said, a mediocre Blackmore is still heads and tails above most others. Just check out his wizardry in "Fire Dance"! The only real snooze fest is the instrumental "Snowman". This Howard Blake co-composed track is inspired by the animated movie "The Snowman", featuring the famous Howard Blake composed "Walking In The Air". And Blackmore's "Snowman" takes it's theme from that song. But the electronic drums ruins an otherwise flowing piece, and gives the overall impression a synthetic feel it doesn't deserve. So even though I find this overtly keyboard oriented effort to be somewhat lackluster, it is still a fine enough listen from beginning to end. It just won't be the one I put in my player the most. This was also going to the the last Rainbow studio album for 12 years to come.

Killer tracks: Stranded, Can't Let You Go, Fire Dance

Rainbow also appear on:  

V/A - 'Rock Aid Armenia'

Ronnie James Dio guest appearances:  

Queensrÿche - 'Operation: Mindcirme II'

Tony Carey guest appearances:

Liberty N' Justice - 'Independence Day'

Jimmy Bain guest appearances:

Don Airey guest appearances:

Sinner - 'Comin' Out Fighting'

Metalium - 'Hero-Nation: Chapter Three'

Related artists

Dio, Black Sabbath, Chris Caffery, Doro, Sun Red Sun, Warlock, Scorpions, Riot, Quiet Riot, Yngwie Malmsteen, Alcatrazz, Hear 'n Aid