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Ritchie Blackmore / Rainbow

Ritchie Blackmore is a legendary guitarist who is best known for his work with the bands Deep Purple and Rainbow. Born in England in 1945, Blackmore began playing guitar at an early age and quickly developed a reputation as a skilled and innovative musician.

In 1968, Blackmore co-founded Deep Purple, a pioneering heavy metal band that helped to define the genre with its powerful, guitar-driven sound. With Blackmore on lead guitar, Deep Purple released a string of classic albums throughout the 1970s, including "Deep Purple in Rock", "Machine Head", and "Burn".

In 1975, Blackmore left Deep Purple to form his own band, Rainbow. With Rainbow, Blackmore explored a more melodic, hard rock sound that incorporated elements of classical music and medieval folk music. Rainbow's early albums, such as "Rising" and "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll", are considered classics of the hard rock genre.

Throughout his career, Blackmore has been praised for his virtuosic guitar playing and his innovative use of the instrument. He has been cited as a major influence by countless guitarists and his impact on the development of heavy metal and hard rock music is undeniable.

Although he has retired from touring, Blackmore continues to make music and remains an icon of the rock and metal worlds.

Born April 14, 1945, Weston-super-Mare, England. -GSH


The Outlaws (October 1962 - April 1964)

Screaming Lord Sutch and The Savages (December 1966 - April 1967)

Neil Christian and The Crusaders(April 1967 - May 1967)

Mandrake Root (September 1967 - November 1967)

Roundabout (February 1968 - March 1968)

Deep Purple (March 1968 - May 1975)

Rainbow I (May 1975 - September 1975)
  • Ritchie Blackmore - guitar
  • Ronnie James Dio - vocals
  • Mickey Lee Soule - keyboards
  • Craig Gruber - bass
  • Gary Driscoll - drums
Album:
  1. "Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow" (1975)
Mickey Lee Soule joins The Ian Gillan Band.

Rainbow II (September 1975 - 1976)
  • Ritchie Blackmore - guitar
  • Ronnie James Dio - vocals
  • Jim Bain - bass
  • Tony Carey - keyboards - b. October 16, 1953.
  • Cozy Powell - drums - b. December 29, 1947, Cirencester, England; d. April 5, 1998 - formerly with The Sorcerers and The Jeff Beck Group.
Album:
  1. "Rainbow Rising" (1976)
Jim Bain later joins Dio (with Ronnie James Dio).

Rainbow III (1976 - November 1978)
  • Ritchie Blackmore - guitar
  • Ronnie James Dio - vocals
  • Cozy Powell - drums
  • Bob Daisley - bass
  • David Stone - keyboards
Albums:
  1. "Onstage" (1977)
  2. "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll" (1978)
  3. "Live in Europe" (2-CDs) (1996)
Ronnie James Dio joins Black Sabbath, and later forms Dio.

Rainbow IV (November 1978 - August 1980)
  • Ritchie Blackmore - guitar
  • Cozy Powell - drums
  • Roger Glover - bass - b. November 30, 1945, Brecon, South Wales - formerly with Deep Purple.
  • Don Airey - keyboards
  • Graham Bonnet - vocals
Album:
  1. "Down to Earth" (1979)
Cozy Powell and Graham Bonnet join The Michael Schenker Group.  Cozy Powell later joins Bedlam, forms Cozy Powell's Hammer, and later joins Whitesnake, and Black Sabbath.

Rainbow V(November 1980 - December 1981)
  • Ritchie Blackmore - guitar
  • Roger Glover - bass
  • Don Airey - keyboards
  • Joe Lynn Turner - vocals
  • Bob Rondinelli - drums
Album:
  1. "Difficult to Cure" (1981)
Don Airey joins The Gary Moore Band.

Rainbow VI (December 1981 - June 1983)
  • Ritchie Blackmore - guitar
  • Roger Glover - bass
  • Joe Lynn Turner - vocals
  • Bob Rondinelli - drums
  • Dave Rosenthal - keyboards
Albums:
  1. "Jealous Lover" (1981)
  2. "Straight Between the Eyes" (1982)
  3. "Bent Out of Shape" (1983)

Rainbow VII (June 1983 - April 1984)
  • Ritchie Blackmore - guitar
  • Roger Glover - bass
  • Joe Lynn Turner - vocals
  • Dave Rosenthal - keyboards
  • Chuck Burgi - drums
Album:
  1. "Final Vinyl" (1986)
Ritchie Blackmore and Roger Glover rejoin Deep Purple. Joe Lynn Turner goes solo, and later joins Deep Purple.

Deep Purple (April 1984 - November 1993)

Compilations:
  1. "Very Best of Rainbow" (1997)

Solo Albums:
  1. "Shadow of the Moon" (1997) (Blackmore's Night)
  2. "The Take It Sessions: '63 - '68" (1998)
  3. "Stranger In Us All" (1998) (Rainbow)
  4. "Under a Violet Moon" (1999) (Blackmore's Night)

Links:

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Last Revised:  May 6, 2000
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