Artist: RAINBOW
Album: RITCHIE BLACKMORE'S RAINBOW REMASTERED (CD)

Release date: 1975
EAN/UPS: 0731454736022
Media type: CD

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.

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.

TRACKLIST:

1. Man On The Silver Mountain
2. Snake Charmer
3. Temple Of The King
4. Black Sheep Of The Family
5. Catch The Rainbow
6. Self Portrait
7. If You Don't Like Rock n' Roll
8. Still I'm Sad
9. 16th Century Greensleeves

LINE-UP:

Ronnie James Dio (vocals)
Ritchie Blackmore (guitars)
Craig Gruber (bass)
Mickey Lee Soule (keyboards)
Gary Driscoll (drums)