Ritchie Blackmore and the Instability of Rainbow

Introduction

Ritchie Blackmore left Deep Purple in 1974 to form Rainbow, a band that would become known for its rapid lineup changes. Over a decade, the group saw nearly twenty musicians join and leave, a pattern driven by Blackmore’s relentless pursuit of a specific musical vision.

Main Article

Origins and Early Turbulence

Blackmore departed Deep Purple after the band’s shift toward soul‑and‑funk, a direction he rejected. He recorded secretly with Elf’s Ronnie James Dio, a classically trained vocalist, and in April 1975 formed Rainbow. The debut album Rising (1976) featured bassist Jimmy Bain, keyboardist Tony Carey, and drummer Cozy Powell, who survived a grueling audition of fourteen drummers.

Perfectionism and Lineup Overhaul

During the Long Live Rock and Roll sessions, Carey was locked in his bedroom with brick and mortar, and Bain was dismissed as substandard. Mark Clark replaced Bain but left after weeks, prompting Blackmore to record bass parts himself. The band’s recording environment was described as haunted, with incidents such as a piano playing itself and a wife being pushed down a staircase. These events, coupled with Blackmore’s demanding standards, led to frequent departures.

Commercial Shift and Final Disbandment

In 1980, drummer Cozy Powell resigned at the Donington Festival, citing the band’s commercial direction. Singer Graham Bonnet left shortly after, and the band was rebuilt with Joe Lynn Turner, who helped produce radio‑friendly hits. By 1984, Blackmore reunited with Deep Purple’s classic lineup, and Rainbow quietly disbanded. The band’s instability stemmed from Blackmore’s constant search for a new lineup rather than a failure of the music itself.

Key Facts

• Ritchie Blackmore left Deep Purple in 1974
• Rainbow’s debut album Rising released 1976
• Cozy Powell auditioned 14 drummers for the band
• Ronnie James Dio joined as vocalist in 1975
• Rainbow disbanded in 1984 after a Deep Purple reunion

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Blackmore leave Deep Purple?
He was unhappy with the band’s move toward soul‑and‑funk and wanted a darker, medieval‑rock direction.

Who replaced Ronnie James Dio in Rainbow?
Graham Bonnet joined first, followed by Joe Lynn Turner after Bonnet’s departure.

Conclusion

Ritchie Blackmore’s perfectionism and insistence on a specific musical style drove Rainbow’s constant lineup changes. While the band produced influential albums, its instability ultimately led to its dissolution and a return to Deep Purple.