Album Information:

About Rainbow:

Rainbow is a British rock band that was formed in 1975 by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. The band's early lineup included lead vocalist Ronnie James Dio, keyboardist Tony Carey, bassist Jimmy Bain, and drummer Cozy Powell. Over the course of their career, the band underwent multiple lineup changes, with Blackmore being the only constant member until the band disbanded in 1997.

Rainbow's music is categorized as hard rock and heavy metal, with elements of classical and baroque music. Their early albums, including 'Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow' (1975) and 'Rising' (1976), showcased the band's heavy, guitar-driven sound and Dio's powerful vocals. The albums were popular among fans of the burgeoning heavy metal scene and cemented Rainbow's reputation as a premier heavy metal band.

Throughout the 1980s, Rainbow underwent multiple lineup changes and experimented with different musical styles, incorporating elements of pop, funk, and new wave into their sound. The band released several successful albums during this time, including 'Difficult to Cure' (1981) and 'Bent Out of Shape' (1983). However, these albums were met with mixed critical reception, and some fans felt that the band had strayed too far from their roots.

In 1994, Rainbow released 'Stranger in Us All,' their final album before disbanding in 1997. The album featured vocalist Doogie White and was well-received by fans and critics.

Since the band's dissolution, Blackmore has focused on his folk rock project Blackmore's Night, while Dio went on to front his own band, Dio, before passing away in 2010.

Despite their relatively short career, Rainbow's impact on the heavy metal genre cannot be denied. The band's early albums are considered classics of the genre, and their experimentation with different styles helped pave the way for the evolution of heavy metal in the decades that followed.

About the album On Stage:

On Stage is a live album by the British hard rock/new wave band Rainbow, featuring performances from their first world tour. The album was released in 1977 and was recorded in Germany, the UK and Japan between 1976 and 1977.

The album features some of Rainbow's biggest hits from their early career, including 'Kill the King', 'Man on the Silver Mountain', 'Catch the Rainbow' and 'Stargazer'. The songs are played with a raw energy and intensity that captures the essence of Rainbow's live performances.

The album begins with the dramatic opening of 'Kill the King', with Ritchie Blackmore's lightning-fast guitar work setting the tone for the rest of the album. The band moves seamlessly into 'Man on the Silver Mountain', with its catchy chorus and driving rhythm section.

Other standout tracks include a 13-minute version of 'Catch the Rainbow', which showcases lead singer Ronnie James Dio's powerful vocal range, and 'Stargazer', which features stunning guitar solos from Blackmore.

The album also includes several tracks from Rainbow's Deep Purple days, including 'Mistreated' and 'Burn', which are given new life by the band's electrifying live performance.

On Stage is a must-have for any fans of Rainbow or hard rock music in general. The album perfectly captures the energy and excitement of a live performance, and stands as a testament to the power of Blackmore's guitar work and Dio's vocal prowess.

Members:

Rainbow is a British rock band formed in 1975. The key members of Rainbow are:

1. Ritchie Blackmore - guitar (1975-1984, 1993-1997)

Ritchie Blackmore was born in Dorset, England, on April 14, 1945. Blackmore is widely regarded as one of the most influential guitarists in rock history. He founded Deep Purple in 1968 and later formed Rainbow in 1975. Blackmore is known for his virtuosic playing style and his use of classical music influences in his guitar solos.

2. Ronnie James Dio - vocals (1975-1978, 1993-1997)

Ronnie James Dio was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on July 10, 1942. Dio was known for his powerful, operatic voice and his work with Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and his own band, Dio. He joined Rainbow in 1975 and recorded three albums with the band before leaving to join Black Sabbath.

3. Cozy Powell - drums (1975-1980)

Cozy Powell was born in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England, on December 29, 1947. Powell was a highly regarded rock drummer who played with bands such as The Jeff Beck Group, Black Sabbath, and Whitesnake. He joined Rainbow in 1975 and played on the band's first three albums before leaving to pursue other projects.

4. Jimmy Bain - bass (1975-1977, 1980-1984)

Jimmy Bain was born in Newtonmore, Scotland, on December 19, 1947. Bain was a bassist and songwriter who played with bands such as Rainbow, Dio, and Thin Lizzy. He joined Rainbow in 1975 and played on the band's first two albums before leaving to join Dio. Bain rejoined Rainbow in 1980 and played on the band's next three albums.

5. Tony Carey - keyboards (1975-1977)

Tony Carey was born in Watsonville, California, on October 16, 1953. Carey was a keyboardist and songwriter who played with bands such as Rainbow and Planet P Project. He joined Rainbow in 1975 and played on the band's first two albums before leaving to pursue a solo career.

6. Graham Bonnet - vocals (1979-1980)

Graham Bonnet was born in Skegness, Lincolnshire, England, on December 23, 1947. Bonnet is a vocalist who played with bands such as Rainbow, Alcatrazz, and Michael Schenker Group. He joined Rainbow in 1979 and recorded one album with the band before leaving to form Alcatrazz.

Track List for On Stage:

Sure, here are all the tracks on the 'On Stage' album by Rainbow, along with their play time and a detailed description of each:

1. 'Kill the King' (4:42) - This high-energy opener is a live version of the song from Rainbow's studio album 'Long Live Rock 'n' Roll'. It features fast-paced guitar riffs and powerful vocals from frontman Ronnie James Dio.

2. 'Medley: Man on the Silver Mountain/Blues/Starstruck' (11:08) - This medley combines three different songs from Rainbow's early albums. 'Man on the Silver Mountain' is a classic rock track with a catchy guitar riff, while 'Blues' is a slow, bluesy instrumental. 'Starstruck' features Dio's soaring vocals over a driving rhythm section.

3. 'Catch the Rainbow' (15:35) - This epic ballad showcases Dio's impressive vocal range and Blackmore's intricate guitar work. It starts off slow and builds to a powerful climax.

4. 'Mistreated' (12:08) - This bluesy rocker features a soulful vocal performance from Dio and blistering guitar solos from Blackmore. It's a great showcase for the band's musicianship.

5. 'Sixteenth Century Greensleeves' (7:35) - This track from Rainbow's album 'Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow' features a catchy guitar riff and Dio's theatrical vocals. It has a medieval-inspired feel that's unique for a hard rock song.

6. 'Still I'm Sad' (11:03) - This cover of a Yardbirds song features a haunting guitar riff and Dio's emotive vocals. The band builds the tension throughout the track, making for a powerful finale.

Overall, 'On Stage' is a great representation of Rainbow's live performances from the late '70s. The band's musicianship is on full display throughout the album, with Blackmore's intricate guitar work and Dio's powerful vocals being the standout features. Whether you're a fan of classic rock or heavy metal, this album is definitely worth a listen.

Discography for Rainbow:

1. Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (1975)
2. Rising (1976)
3. On Stage (1977)
4. Long Live Rock 'n' Roll (1978)
5. Down to Earth (1979)
6. Difficult to Cure (1981)
7. Straight Between the Eyes (1982)
8. Bent Out of Shape (1983)
9. Finyl Vinyl (1986)
10. Stranger in Us All (1995)

Singles:
1. 'Man on the Silver Mountain' / 'Snake Charmer' (1975)
2. 'Starstruck' / 'Run with the Wolf' (1976)
3. 'Kill the King' / 'Man on the Silver Mountain' (live) (1978)
4. 'Long Live Rock 'n' Roll' / 'Sensitive to Light' (1978)
5. 'Since You Been Gone' / 'Bad Girl' (1979)
6. 'All Night Long' / 'Weiss Heim' (1980)
7. 'I Surrender' / 'Vielleicht Das Nächster Zeit (Maybe Next Time)' (1981)
8. 'Can't Happen Here' / 'Jealous Lover' (1981)
9. 'Stone Cold' / 'Rock Fever' (1982)
10. 'Street of Dreams' / 'Anybody There' (1983)