Rainbow

by Greg Prato

November 2016 saw the release of my 20th book overall, The Other Side of Rainbow, which tells the story of the band that is largely pointed to as the trailblazer of what is now considered "Medieval metal" - Rainbow.

And the band - led by former Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore - sustained success despite a total of three singers fronting the band throughout their "golden period" of 1975-1984 (Ronnie James Dio, Graham Bonnet, and Joe Lynn Turner) - including such classic albums as Rising, Down to Earth, and Straight Between the Eyes, as well as the rock radio standards "Man on the Silver Mountain," "Since You've Been Gone," and "Stone Cold." After a brief resuscitation of the band in the mid-late '90s (with Doogie White behind the mic), Blackmore surprised the rock world in 2016 with a handful of Rainbow live performances (with newcomer Ronnie Romero fronting the group).

Do you consider yourself knowledgeable when it comes to Rainbow and Mr. Blackmore? If so, it's time to take the ultimate test, featuring quotes plucked directly from the aforementioned book...
The Other Side of Rainbow is available for purchase as paperback and Kindle version here, as an iBook, and as a Nook version.

Read a sample chapter here.

Further reading: Songfacts interview with Candice Night of Blackmore's Night.

More Fact or Fiction

Comments: 1

  • Jim from Mobile, AlI got them all right, though I did guess a few. Blackmore certainly is an interesting fellow.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Fire On The Stage

Fire On The StageSong Writing

When you have a song called "Fire," it's tempting to set one - these guys did.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum

Dave Pirner of Soul AsylumSongwriter Interviews

Dave explains how the video appropriated the meaning of "Runaway Train," and what he thought of getting parodied by Weird Al.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.