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Two line-ups of Rainbow performing in 1977 and 2017

Rainbow are an English-American hard rock band originally from Hertford, Hertfordshire. Formed in January 1975 by then-Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, the original lineup of the group also included former Elf members Ronnie James Dio (lead vocals), Craig Gruber (bass), Gary Driscoll (drums) and Micky Lee Soule (keyboards), who recorded and released the self-titled album Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow that year.^[1] The most recent line-up consisted of Blackmore (the sole continuous member), backing vocalist Candice Night (since 1994), singer Ronnie Romero, bassist Bob Nouveau, drummer David Keith and keyboardist Jens Johansson (all since 2015).

History

After leaving Deep Purple, Blackmore replaced Gruber, Driscoll and Soule in September with Jimmy Bain, Cozy Powell and Tony Carey, respectively.^[2] Rising and live album On Stage were recorded with this second lineup, before Bain and Carey were sacked by Blackmore on 3 January 1977.^[3] Long Live Rock 'n' Roll, released in 1978, featured bassist Bob Daisley and keyboardist David Stone, in addition to Powell.^[4]

After the release of Long Live Rock 'n' Roll, Dio left due to disagreements with Blackmore.^[5] Graham Bonnet replaced Dio for 1979's Down to Earth, which also saw the addition of bassist Roger Glover and keyboardist Don Airey.^[6] Bonnet left after the album's release and was replaced by Joe Lynn Turner, while Powell also left the group to be replaced by Bobby Rondinelli; both new members performed on Difficult to Cure.^[7] Keyboardist David Rosenthal replaced Airey for 1982's Straight Between the Eyes and 1983's Bent Out of Shape, the latter of which featured drummer Chuck Burgi who replaced Rondinelli.^[7] Rainbow broke up for the first time in 1984.^[7]

After Blackmore left Deep Purple for the second time in 1993,^[8] Rainbow reformed with vocalist Doogie White, bassist Greg Smith, drummer John O'Reilly and keyboardist Paul Morris, releasing the album Stranger in Us All in 1995.^[9] The band's return was short-lived, however, as they broke up again in 1997 when Blackmore shifted focus to Blackmore's Night.^[10] In November 2015, it was revealed that Blackmore would be returning to the Rainbow moniker for a number of shows in 2016 with vocalist Ronnie Romero, bassist Bob Nouveau (Bob Curiano), drummer David Keith and keyboardist Jens Johansson.^[11] This lineup remained active until 2019, releasing three new live albums and a number of singles before Romero confirmed his departure from the group in October 2023.^[12]

Members

Current

Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
Ritchie Blackmore	1975–1984 1993–1997 2015–present	guitar bass (studio 1977)	all Rainbow releases
Bob Nouveau (Bob Curiano)	2015–	bass backing vocals	Memories in Rock: Live in Germany (2016) "Land of Hope and Glory" (2017) "I Surrender" (2017) Live in Birmingham 2016 (2017) Memories in Rock II Live (2018) "Black Sheep of the Family" (2019) "The Storm" (2019)
David Keith		drums
Jens Johansson		keyboards

Former

Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
Ronnie James Dio (Ronald Padavona)^[13]	1975–1979 (died 2010)	lead and backing vocals	all Rainbow releases from Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (1975) to Long Live Rock 'n' Roll (1978) Live in Germany 1976 (1990) Deutschland Tournee 1976 (2006) Live in Munich 1977 (2006) Finyl Vinyl (1986)
Craig Gruber	1975 1977 (died 2015)	bass	Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (1975)
Micky Lee Soule	1975	keyboards
Gary Driscoll	1975 (died 1987)	drums
Cozy Powell (Colin Flooks)	1975–1980 (died 1998)	drums	all Rainbow releases from Rising (1976) to Down to Earth (1979) Live in Germany 1976 (1990) Deutschland Tournee 1976 (2006) Live in Munich 1977 (2006) Denver 1979: Down to Earth Tour (2015) Long Island 1979: Down to Earth Tour (2015) Down to Earth Tour 1979 (Box set) (2015) Monsters of Rock - Live at Donington 1980 (2016) Finyl Vinyl (1986)
Jimmy Bain	1975–1977 (died 2016)	bass backing vocals	Rising (1976) On Stage (1977) Live in Germany 1976 (1990) Deutschland Tournee 1976 (2006)
Tony Carey	1975–1977	keyboards
David Stone (Michael Stoyanoff)	1977–1978	keyboards	Long Live Rock 'n' Roll (1978) Live in Munich 1977 (2006) Finyl Vinyl (1986)
Mark Clarke	1977	bass backing vocals	none
Bob Daisley	1977–1978		Long Live Rock 'n' Roll (1978) Live in Munich 1977 (2006) Finyl Vinyl (1986)
Jack Green^[13]	1978 (died 2024)		none
Roger Glover	1979–1984	bass backing vocals percussion (studio, 1983)	all Rainbow releases from Down to Earth (1979) to Bent Out of Shape (1983), and from Denver 1979: Down to Earth Tour (2015) to Boston 1981 (2016) Finyl Vinyl (1986) Live Between The Eyes (1982)
Don Airey	1979–1981	keyboards backing vocals	Down to Earth (1979) Difficult to Cure (1981) Denver 1979: Down to Earth Tour (2015) Long Island 1979: Down to Earth Tour (2015) Monsters of Rock: Live at Donington 1980 (2016) Boston 1981 (2016) Down to Earth Tour 1979 (Box set) (2015) Finyl Vinyl (1986)
Graham Bonnet	1979–1980	lead vocals	Down to Earth (1979) Denver 1979: Down to Earth Tour (2015) Long Island 1979: Down to Earth Tour (2015) Monsters of Rock: Live at Donington 1980 (2016) Down to Earth Tour 1979 (Box set) (2015) Finyl Vinyl (1986)
Joe Lynn Turner (Joseph Linquito)	1980–1984	lead vocals	all Rainbow releases from Difficult to Cure (1981) to Bent Out of Shape (1983) Live in Japan (2015) Boston 1981 (2016) Finyl Vinyl (1986) Live Between the Eyes (1982)
Bobby Rondinelli	1980–1983	drums	Difficult to Cure (1981) Straight Between the Eyes (1982) Boston 1981 (2016) Finyl Vinyl (1986) Live Between the Eyes (1982)
David Rosenthal	1981–1984	keyboards backing vocals	Straight Between the Eyes (1982) Bent Out of Shape (1983) Live in Japan (2015) Finyl Vinyl (1986) Live Between the Eyes (1982)
Chuck Burgi	1983–1984 1995–1996	drums	Bent Out of Shape (1983) Black Masquerade (2013) Live in Japan (2015) Finyl Vinyl (1986)
Paul Morris	1993–1997	keyboards	Stranger in Us All (1995) Black Masquerade (2013)
Greg Smith		bass backing vocals
Doogie White (Douglas White)		lead vocals
John O'Reilly	1993–1995	drums	Stranger in Us All (1995)
John Miceli	1997	drums	none
Ronnie Romero	2015–2023	lead vocals	Memories in Rock: Live in Germany (2016) "Land of Hope and Glory" (2017) "I Surrender" (2017) Live in Birmingham 2016 (2017) Memories in Rock II Live (2018) "Black Sheep of the Family" (2019) "The Storm" (2019)

Touring

Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions	Details
Lin Robinson	1981–1984	backing vocals	Live Between the Eyes (1982) Live in Japan (2015) Finyl Vinyl (1986) Boston 1981 (2016)	Robinson and Beale toured with Rainbow from the Difficult to Cure tour until the group disbanded in 1984.^[14]
Dee Beale	1981–1984
Candice Night	1994–1997 2015–present		Stranger in Us All (1995) Memories in Rock: Live in Germany (2016) "Land of Hope and Glory" (2017) "I Surrender" (2017) Live in Birmingham 2016 (2017) Memories in Rock II Live (2018) "Black Sheep of the Family" (2019) "The Storm" (2019)	Night joined the band on tour in 1994, and also returned in 2015.
Lady Lynn (Christina Lynn Skleros)	2015–		Memories in Rock - Live in Germany (2016) Live in Birmingham 2016 (2017) Memories in Rock II (2018)	Skleros, a member of Blackmore and Night's other group Blackmore's Night, joined Rainbow on tour in 2015.^[14]

Timeline

Recording Timeline

Role	Album
Role	Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (1975)	Rising (1976)	Long Live Rock 'n' Roll (1978)	Down to Earth (1979)	Difficult to Cure (1981)	Straight Between the Eyes (1982)	Bent Out of Shape (1983)	Stranger in Us All (1995)
Lead vocals	Ronnie James Dio			Graham Bonnet	Joe Lynn Turner			Doogie White
Guitar	Ritchie Blackmore
Bass	Craig Gruber	Jimmy Bain	Ritchie Blackmore Bob Daisley	Roger Glover				Greg Smith
Keyboards	Micky Lee Soule	Tony Carey	Tony Carey David Stone	Don Airey		David Rosenthal		Paul Morris
Drums	Gary Driscoll	Cozy Powell			Bobby Rondinelli		Chuck Burgi	John O'Reilly
Backing vocals	Ronnie James Dio	—		Roger Glover Don Airey	Joe Lynn Turner	—		Candice Night

Lineups

Period	Members	Releases
February – July 1975	Ronnie James Dio – vocals Ritchie Blackmore – guitars Craig Gruber – bass Micky Lee Soule – keyboards Gary Driscoll – drums	Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (1975)
August 1975 – January 1977	Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals Ritchie Blackmore – guitars Jimmy Bain – bass, backing vocals Tony Carey – keyboards Cozy Powell – drums	Rising (1976) On Stage (1977)
January – February 1977	Ronnie James Dio – vocals Ritchie Blackmore – guitars Craig Gruber – bass Tony Carey – keyboards Cozy Powell – drums	none
February – May 1977	Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals Ritchie Blackmore – guitars Mark Clarke – bass, backing vocals Tony Carey – keyboards Cozy Powell – drums
May – September 1977	Ronnie James Dio – vocals Ritchie Blackmore – guitars, bass Tony Carey – keyboards Cozy Powell – drums
September 1977 –September 1978	Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals Ritchie Blackmore – guitars Bob Daisley – bass, backing vocals David Stone – keyboards Cozy Powell – drums	Long Live Rock 'n' Roll (1978) Live in Munich 1977 (2006)
October 1978 - January 1979	Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals Ritchie Blackmore – guitars Jack Green – bass, backing vocals David Stone – keyboards Cozy Powell – drums	none
March 1979 – August 1980	Graham Bonnet – lead vocals Ritchie Blackmore – guitars Roger Glover – bass, backing vocals Don Airey – keyboards, backing vocals Cozy Powell – drums	Down to Earth (1979) Denver 1979: Down to Earth Tour (2015) Long Island 1979: Down to Earth Tour (2015) Down to Earth Tour 1979 (Box set) (2015)
October 1980 – September 1981	Joe Lynn Turner – lead vocals Ritchie Blackmore – guitars Roger Glover – bass, backing vocals Don Airey – keyboards, backing vocals Bobby Rondinelli – drums	Difficult to Cure (1981) Jealous Lover (1981) Boston 1981 (2016)
October 1981 – June 1983	Joe Lynn Turner – lead vocals Ritchie Blackmore – guitars Roger Glover – bass, backing vocals David Rosenthal – keyboards Bobby Rondinelli – drums	Straight Between the Eyes (1982)
August 1983 – March 1984	Joe Lynn Turner – lead vocals Ritchie Blackmore – guitars Roger Glover – bass, backing vocals David Rosenthal – keyboards Chuck Burgi – drums	Bent Out of Shape (1983) Live in Japan (2015)
Band inactive March 1984 – August 1994
August 1994 – September 1995	Doogie White – lead vocals Ritchie Blackmore – guitars Greg Smith – bass, backing vocals Paul Morris – keyboards John O'Reilly – drums Candice Night – backing vocals	Stranger in Us All (1995)
September 1995 – December 1996	Doogie White – lead vocals Ritchie Blackmore – guitars Greg Smith – bass, backing vocals Paul Morris – keyboards Chuck Burgi – drums Candice Night – backing vocals	Black Masquerade (2013)
January – May 1997	Doogie White – lead vocals Ritchie Blackmore – guitars Greg Smith – bass, backing vocals Paul Morris – keyboards John Miceli – drums Candice Night – backing vocals	none
Band inactive May 1997 – November 2015
November 2015 – October 2023	Ronnie Romero – lead vocals Ritchie Blackmore – guitars Bob Nouveau – bass, backing vocals Jens Johansson – keyboards David Keith – drums Candice Night – backing vocals	Memories in Rock: Live in Germany (2016) "Land of Hope and Glory" (2017) "I Surrender" (2017) Live in Birmingham 2016 (2017) Memories in Rock II Live (2018) "Black Sheep of the Family" (2019) "The Storm" (2019)
October 2023 – present	Ritchie Blackmore – guitars Bob Nouveau – bass, backing vocals Jens Johansson – keyboards David Keith – drums Candice Night – backing vocals	none

References

^ Rivadavia, Eduardo (4 August 2015). "The Story Of Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow And Their Debut Album". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
^ Makowski, Peter (14 April 2014). "Rainbow Rising: how Ritchie Blackmore aimed for the stars". Classic Rock. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
^ Makowski, Peter (14 April 2014). "Ritchie Blackmore on Rainbow's Classic Album 'Rising'". TeamRock. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
^ Ginsberg, Geoff. "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll - Rainbow: Songs, Credits, Reviews". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
^ Sweeting, Adam (17 May 2010). "Ronnie James Dio obituary". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Down to Earth - Rainbow: Songs, Credits, Reviews". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
^ ^a ^b ^c Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Rainbow: Biography & History". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
^ DeRiso, Nick (5 July 2015). "Ritchie Blackmore Is Considering a Return to Rock". Ultimate Classic Rock. Diffuser Network. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
^ Adams, Bret. "Stranger in Us All - Rainbow: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
^ Kielty, Martin (6 July 2015). "Blackmore Plans Return to Rock". TeamRock. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
^ DiVita, Joe (7 November 2015). "Ritchie Blackmore Unveils Lineup for Rock Shows". Loudwire. Townsquare Media. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
^ "RONNIE ROMERO Says His Time With RAINBOW Is Over: 'I Don't Think That's My Place Anymore'". Blabbermouth.net. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
^ ^a ^b "Ritchie Blackmore". Guitarmasterclass.net. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
^ ^a ^b "Rainbow Members: Now And Then". The Rainbow Fanclan Legacy. Retrieved 18 May 2019.

External links

Ritchie Blackmore official website

[1] Rivadavia, Eduardo (4 August 2015). "The Story Of Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow And Their Debut Album". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 18 May 2019.

[2] Makowski, Peter (14 April 2014). "Rainbow Rising: how Ritchie Blackmore aimed for the stars". Classic Rock. Retrieved 18 May 2019.

[3] Makowski, Peter (14 April 2014). "Ritchie Blackmore on Rainbow's Classic Album 'Rising'". TeamRock. Retrieved 8 December 2015.

[4] Ginsberg, Geoff. "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll - Rainbow: Songs, Credits, Reviews". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 8 December 2015.

[5] Sweeting, Adam (17 May 2010). "Ronnie James Dio obituary". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 8 December 2015.

[6] Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Down to Earth - Rainbow: Songs, Credits, Reviews". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 8 December 2015.

[allmusic-7] Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Rainbow: Biography & History". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 8 December 2015.

[8] DeRiso, Nick (5 July 2015). "Ritchie Blackmore Is Considering a Return to Rock". Ultimate Classic Rock. Diffuser Network. Retrieved 8 December 2015.

[9] Adams, Bret. "Stranger in Us All - Rainbow: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 8 December 2015.

[10] Kielty, Martin (6 July 2015). "Blackmore Plans Return to Rock". TeamRock. Retrieved 8 December 2015.

[11] DiVita, Joe (7 November 2015). "Ritchie Blackmore Unveils Lineup for Rock Shows". Loudwire. Townsquare Media. Retrieved 8 December 2015.

[12] "RONNIE ROMERO Says His Time With RAINBOW Is Over: 'I Don't Think That's My Place Anymore'". Blabbermouth.net. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.

[guitarmasterclass-13] "Ritchie Blackmore". Guitarmasterclass.net. Retrieved 18 October 2015.

[members-14] "Rainbow Members: Now And Then". The Rainbow Fanclan Legacy. Retrieved 18 May 2019.

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List of Rainbow band members