The original lineup of Rainbow featured guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and vocalist Ronnie James Dio.
Rainbow are an English-American hard rock band originally from Hertford, Hertfordshire. Formed in January 1975 by then-Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, the original lineup of the group also included former Elf members Ronnie James Dio (lead vocals), Craig Gruber (bass), Gary Driscoll (drums) and Micky Lee Soule (keyboards), who recorded and released the self-titled album Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow that year.[1] After leaving Deep Purple, Blackmore replaced Gruber, Driscoll and Soule in September with Jimmy Bain, Cozy Powell and Tony Carey, respectively.[2]Rising and live album On Stage were recorded with this second lineup, before Bain and Carey were sacked by Blackmore on 3 January 1977.[3]Long Live Rock 'n' Roll, released in 1978, featured bassist Bob Daisley and keyboardist David Stone, in addition to Powell.[4]
Rainbow performing in 2017. featuring Blackmore with Candice Night & Lady Lynn (backing vocals), Ronnie Romero (lead vocals), Bob Nouveau (bass, backing vocals), David Keith (drums) and Jens Johansson (keys).
After the release of Long Live Rock 'n' Roll, Dio left due to disagreements with Blackmore.[5] Graham Bonnet replaced Dio for 1979's Down to Earth, which also saw the addition of bassist Roger Glover and keyboardist Don Airey.[6] Bonnet left after the album's release and was replaced by Joe Lynn Turner, while Powell also left the group to be replaced by Bobby Rondinelli; both new members performed on Difficult to Cure.[7] Keyboardist David Rosenthal replaced Airey for 1982's Straight Between the Eyes and 1983's Bent Out of Shape, the latter of which featured drummer Chuck Burgi who replaced Rondinelli.[7] Rainbow broke up for the first time in 1984.[7]
After Blackmore left Deep Purple for the second time in 1993,[8] Rainbow reformed with vocalist Doogie White, bassist Greg Smith, drummer John O'Reilly and keyboardist Paul Morris, releasing the album Stranger in Us All in 1995.[9] The band's return was short-lived, however, as they broke up again in 1997 when Blackmore shifted focus to Blackmore's Night.[10] In November 2015, it was revealed that Blackmore would be returning to the Rainbow moniker for a number of shows in 2016 with vocalist Ronnie Romero, bassist Bob Nouveau (Bob Curiano), drummer David Keith and keyboardist Jens Johansson.[11] This lineup remained intact for roughly eight years, releasing three new live albums and a number of singles before Romero confirmed his departure from the group in October 2023.[12]
^Rivadavia, Eduardo (4 August 2015). "The Story Of Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow And Their Debut Album". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
^Makowski, Peter (14 April 2014). "Rainbow Rising: how Ritchie Blackmore aimed for the stars". Classic Rock. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
^Makowski, Peter (14 April 2014). "Ritchie Blackmore on Rainbow's Classic Album 'Rising'". TeamRock. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
^Ginsberg, Geoff. "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll - Rainbow: Songs, Credits, Reviews". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
^Sweeting, Adam (17 May 2010). "Ronnie James Dio obituary". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
^Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Down to Earth - Rainbow: Songs, Credits, Reviews". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
^ abcRivadavia, Eduardo. "Rainbow: Biography & History". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
^DeRiso, Nick (5 July 2015). "Ritchie Blackmore Is Considering a Return to Rock". Ultimate Classic Rock. Diffuser Network. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
^Adams, Bret. "Stranger in Us All - Rainbow: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
^Kielty, Martin (6 July 2015). "Blackmore Plans Return to Rock". TeamRock. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
^DiVita, Joe (7 November 2015). "Ritchie Blackmore Unveils Lineup for Rock Shows". Loudwire. Townsquare Media. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
^"RONNIE ROMERO Says His Time With RAINBOW Is Over: 'I Don't Think That's My Place Anymore'". Blabbermouth.net. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
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