Album Information:
Album ID: 9436
About Rainbow:
Rainbow is a British rock band formed in 1975 by legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. The band took its name from the Rainbow Bar and Grill in Hollywood, which was a popular hangout spot for musicians at the time. The group has gone through several lineup changes throughout its career, but always maintained a focus on complex arrangements, epic guitar solos, and heavy, riff-driven rock.
Blackmore originally formed the band after leaving Deep Purple, who he had played guitar for since their inception in 1968. The initial lineup consisted of Blackmore, vocalist Ronnie James Dio, drummer Gary Driscoll, keyboardist Mickey Lee Soule, and bassist Craig Gruber. The group recorded its debut album, 'Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow,' in 1975, which featured hit singles 'Man on the Silver Mountain' and 'Catch the Rainbow.' The album's success launched Rainbow into the limelight, and they quickly became known for their grandiose live performances and dynamic stage presence.
Over the years, Rainbow has had a number of different singers, guitarists, and drummers. In 1978, Dio left the band to join Black Sabbath, and was replaced by Graham Bonnet, who sang on Rainbow's third album, 'Down to Earth.' The album marked a departure from the band's earlier heavy rock sound, featuring more pop-oriented tunes like 'Since You've Been Gone' and 'All Night Long.' The album was a commercial success, and Rainbow's popularity continued to grow.
In the early 1980s, the band underwent another major lineup change when Bonnet was replaced by Joe Lynn Turner. With Turner at the helm, Rainbow released a string of successful albums, including 'Difficult to Cure' and 'Straight Between the Eyes.' The albums featured hits like 'I Surrender,' 'Can't Happen Here,' and 'Stone Cold,' and showcased the band's ability to fuse hard rock with pop sensibilities.
After Turner's departure in 1985, Rainbow released one more album, 'Stranger in Us All,' in 1995, featuring new vocalist Doogie White. The album received mixed reviews, and Blackmore subsequently disbanded the group to focus on other projects.
Today, Rainbow remains a seminal and influential force in the world of rock music, known for its virtuosic guitar work, thundering rhythms, and soaring vocal harmonies. Despite the band's many lineup changes over the years, it has always maintained a loyal fanbase, and its music continues to inspire new generations of rock fans.
About the album Rising:
Rising is the second studio album by the British rock band Rainbow, released in 1976. The album features iconic guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, who had left Deep Purple to form Rainbow. Rising showcased the band's signature sound of bluesy hard rock with elements of classical music and introduced the powerful vocals of lead singer Ronnie James Dio.
The album opens with 'Tarot Woman,' a heavy rock song with a distinctive organ riff and a catchy chorus. This is followed by 'Run with the Wolf,' a bluesy track with a driving rhythm section and blues-inspired guitar solos by Blackmore. The third track, 'Starstruck,' features a catchy guitar riff and Dio's soaring vocals, making it a fan favorite.
The fourth song, 'Do You Close Your Eyes,' features a melodic guitar riff and a catchy chorus, showcasing the band's ability to create memorable hooks. 'Stargazer,' the album's centerpiece, is a six-minute epic with a progressive rock feel that features a full orchestra and a choir. Blackmore's blistering guitar solo in the middle section of the song is considered one of his best.
The album's title track, 'Rising,' sees Dio's powerful vocals backed by a heavy riff, while 'A Light in the Black' features a complex instrumental section that highlights Blackmore's virtuosic guitar playing. The album closes with 'Vielleicht Das Nächster Zeit (Maybe Next Time),' a soft ballad that sees Dio's sensitivity as a singer.
Overall, Rising is a masterful album that showcases the musical prowess of Rainbow. It features some of their most iconic songs and has set the standard for bluesy hard rock with a touch of classical influence.
Members:
Rainbow is a British rock band founded by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore in 1975. Over the years, the band has gone through a number of key members, each of whom helped shape the band's sound and legacy. Below are brief biographies of the most prominent members of Rainbow:
1. Ritchie Blackmore - Lead Guitar
Ritchie Blackmore founded Rainbow after leaving Deep Purple in 1975. He is widely considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time and is known for his distinctive playing style, which combines classical music with hard rock. Over the course of his career, Blackmore has played in a number of bands and has influenced countless guitarists.
2. Ronnie James Dio - Vocals
Ronnie James Dio was the first lead vocalist for Rainbow. He had previously sung for Elf and would later front Black Sabbath. Dio had an incredible vocal range and was known for his theatrical performances. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavy metal vocalists of all time.
3. Cozy Powell - Drums
Cozy Powell joined Rainbow in 1975 as the band's first drummer. Powell had previously played with a number of bands, including the Jeff Beck Group, Black Sabbath, and Whitesnake. Throughout his career, Powell was known for his powerful drumming style and was widely regarded as one of the greatest rock drummers of his generation.
4. Roger Glover - Bass
Roger Glover joined Rainbow in 1979 as the band's bassist. He had previously played with Deep Purple and was instrumental in the recording of the classic album, 'Machine Head.' Glover's bass playing was an essential part of Rainbow's sound, and he helped the band achieve some of their biggest hits.
5. Graham Bonnet - Vocals
Graham Bonnet replaced Ronnie James Dio as the lead vocalist for Rainbow in 1979. He had previously sung for bands like The Marbles and Alcatrazz. Bonnet's powerful voice helped Rainbow achieve even greater commercial success in the early 1980s.
6. Joe Lynn Turner - Vocals
Joe Lynn Turner was the lead vocalist for Rainbow from 1980 to 1984. He had previously sung for bands like Fandango and Deep Purple. Turner's smooth, melodic vocals helped Rainbow achieve a more mainstream sound and achieve even greater success on the charts.
7. Don Airey - Keyboards
Don Airey joined Rainbow in 1978 as the band's keyboardist. He had previously played with a number of bands, including Cozy Powell's band and the Gary Moore Band. Airey's keyboards were an essential part of Rainbow's sound, and he helped the band achieve some of their biggest hits. He also continued to play with Rainbow under various lineups until the band's eventual dissolution in 1997.
Track List for Rising:
Sure, I can provide you with the requested information about the album 'Rising' by Rainbow. Here's the track listing with play times and detailed descriptions:
1. 'Tarot Woman' (6:08) - A fast-paced, hard-rocking track that sets the tone for the album with its heavy guitar riffs, driving rhythm section, and powerful lead vocals by Ronnie James Dio.
2. 'Run with the Wolf' (3:48) - This song features a catchy, bluesy riff and a groove-heavy rhythm that showcases the band's tight musicianship. Dio's vocals shine once again, particularly in the chorus.
3. 'Starstruck' (4:06) - Another high-energy rocker, 'Starstruck' features intricate guitar work from Ritchie Blackmore, along with Dio's powerful vocals and a strong rhythm section.
4. 'Do You Close Your Eyes' (2:58) - A shorter track that starts off with a melodic guitar intro before launching into a driving, up-tempo instrumental section. Dio's vocals are once again front and center on this song.
5. 'Stargazer' (8:27) - This epic track is one of Rainbow's most famous songs, with its soaring vocal melodies, intricate guitar solos, and symphonic arrangements. It also features a dramatic spoken-word section and a powerful finale.
6. 'Light in the Black' (8:10) - The album's closer is another epic track that starts off with a haunting keyboard intro before launching into a thunderous rock anthem. 'Light in the Black' features some of Blackmore's most impressive guitar work, along with Dio's passionate vocals and a hard-hitting rhythm section.
Overall, 'Rising' is a classic heavy metal album that showcases Rainbow's virtuosity and musical creativity. From the blistering opening track to the epic closer, this album is a must-listen for any fan of hard rock and heavy metal.
Discography for Rainbow:
Here is the complete discography for Rainbow in chronological order:
Albums:
1. Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow - August 4, 1975
2. Rising - May 17, 1976
3. Long Live Rock 'n' Roll - April 9, 1978
4. Down to Earth - July 28, 1979
5. Difficult to Cure - February 3, 1981
6. Straight Between the Eyes - April 3, 1982
7. Bent Out of Shape - August 24, 1983
8. Stranger in Us All - August 21, 1995
Singles:
1. 'Man on a Silver Mountain'/'Snake Charmer' - May 1975
2. 'Sixteenth Century Greensleeves'/'Still I'm Sad' - September 1975
3. 'Starstruck'/'Run with the Wolf' - November 1975
4. 'Kill the King'/'Man on the Silver Mountain' (live) - June 1980
5. 'All Night Long' / 'Weiss Heim' - August 1980
6. 'I Surrender'/'Vielleicht Das Nächster Zeit' - July 1981
7. 'Can't Happen Here'/'Jealous Lover' - November 1981
8. 'Stone Cold'/'Rock Fever' - May 1982
9. 'Power'/'Miss Mistreated' - September 1982
10. 'Street of Dreams' / 'Anybody There' - April 1983
11. 'Can't Let You Go'/'All Night Long' (live) - July 1983
12. 'Bad Girl'/'Spotlight Kid' (live) - October 1983
13. 'Ariel'/'Wolf to the Moon' - June 1995
Other releases:
Live in Germany 1976 (EP) - 1980
The Final Vinyl (compilation album) - 1986
Live in Munich 1977 (live album) - 1990
The Very Best of Rainbow (compilation album) - 1997
Black Masquerade (live album) - 2013.
Note that Rainbow has several other compilation albums that were released in different countries.