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

Prince

PrinceFact or Fiction

Prince is shrouded in mystery, making him an excellent candidate for Fact or Fiction. Is he really a Scientologist? Does he own an exotic animal?

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Amy Grant

Amy GrantSongwriter Interviews

The top Contemporary Christian artist of all time on song inspirations and what she learned from Johnny Carson.

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New York

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New YorkSong Writing

Can you be married in one country but not another? Only if you're part of a gay couple. One of the first famous singers to come out as a lesbian, Janis wrote a song about it.