In 1974, after Deep Purple had released “Stormbringer”, Ritchie Blackmore had become disillusioned with the funk/soul elements that were being introduced by David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes, and also wanted to express his ideas that were being suppressed in Deep Purple. He went into the studio with an American band, Elf, which were to act only as a session band. Rainbow’s debut was actually recorded whilst Ritchie was still a member of Deep Purple! This took place just before Deep Purple’s European tour to support “Stormbringer”. Blackmore instantly struck up a strong working relationship with the lead vocalist of Elf, Ronnie James Dio. Their shared interests in both medieval and hard rock music would build the foundations for “Ritchie Blackmore´s Rainbow”, in which Blackmore and Dio shared all the songwriting credits.
By January 1979, Ronnie James Dio decided to leave in order to join Black Sabbath, with whom he remained until 1982 (he would then leave to form his own band, called simply Dio). Suddenly, without his main songwriting partner, Blackmore recruited his old friend, bassist Roger Glover, who used to play with Deep Purple. Glover would also help with the songwriting and production. Keyboardist Don Airey (from Colosseum II) and new vocalist Graham Bonnet were brought in to complete the new line–up. This new line–up resulted in the band moving in a more straightforward rock direction with a more commercial feel to their overall sound. They had two top ten hits with “Since You Been Gone” and “All Night Long”.
After almost two years of relentless touring, Blackmore unpredictably decided he wanted Rainbow to move into a more melodic direction. Joe Lynn Turner was recruited as the new lead vocalist, bringing more of a ”radio friendly” sound to the band. After five years behind the drums, Cozy Powell also decided to leave. He was replaced by Bobby Rondinelli.
The 1981 album, “Difficult To Cure”, brought them their biggest hit single to date, “I Surrender”. Rainbow suddenly found they were attracting a new audience as they moved into a more mainstream/AOR/Rock direction.
By January 1979, Ronnie James Dio decided to leave in order to join Black Sabbath, with whom he remained until 1982 (he would then leave to form his own band, called simply Dio). Suddenly, without his main songwriting partner, Blackmore recruited his old friend, bassist Roger Glover, who used to play with Deep Purple. Glover would also help with the songwriting and production. Keyboardist Don Airey (from Colosseum II) and new vocalist Graham Bonnet were brought in to complete the new line–up. This new line–up resulted in the band moving in a more straightforward rock direction with a more commercial feel to their overall sound. They had two top ten hits with “Since You Been Gone” and “All Night Long”.
After almost two years of relentless touring, Blackmore unpredictably decided he wanted Rainbow to move into a more melodic direction. Joe Lynn Turner was recruited as the new lead vocalist, bringing more of a ”radio friendly” sound to the band. After five years behind the drums, Cozy Powell also decided to leave. He was replaced by Bobby Rondinelli.
The 1981 album, “Difficult To Cure”, brought them their biggest hit single to date, “I Surrender”. Rainbow suddenly found they were attracting a new audience as they moved into a more mainstream/AOR/Rock direction.
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