Rainbow were an English rock band, controlled by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 to 1984 and 1994 to 1997. They were originally established with American rock band Elf's members, though over the years Rainbow went through many line-up changes with no two studio albums featuring the same line-up. In addition to lead singers Ronnie James Dio, Graham Bonnet, Joe Lynn Turner and Doogie White, the project consisted of numerous backing musicians. The band started out combining mystical lyric themes with neo-classical metal, but went in a more streamlined commercial style following Dio's... departure from the group. Rainbow were ranked #90 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. In 1974, Ritchie Blackmore publicly disliked the funk/soul elements being introduced to Deep Purple by David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes, as well as the disappointing Stormbringer album where his favourite musical style wasn't adequately captured.
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| Career began: | 1974 |
| Members: | Roger Glover, Jimmy Bain, Graham Bonnet, Chuck Burgi, Cozy Powell, Tony Carey, Joe Lynn Turner, Don Airey, Ritchie Blackmore, David Scott Stone, Paul Morris, Doogie White, Bob Daisley, Ronald Padavona, Mickey Lee Soule, Craig Gruber, Gary Driscoll, Bob Rondinelli |
| Hometown: | England |
| Also known as: | Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, Rainbow, Richie Blackmore's Rainbow |