Rainbow (tribute band)
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| Name | Rainbow (tribute band) |
Rainbow (tribute band) is a performing ensemble dedicated to recreating the music and stagecraft of the rock band Rainbow founded by Ritchie Blackmore. The group focuses on live renditions of repertoire associated with lineups that featured musicians such as Ronnie James Dio, Graham Bonnet, Joe Lynn Turner, Cozy Powell, and Don Airey. Tribute members frequently cite influences from Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep, Led Zeppelin, and Thin Lizzy as context for their interpretations.
History
The project emerged in the wake of renewed interest in classic rock sparked by events like the Monsters of Rock festivals and anniversary reissues from labels including Polydor Records, Mercury Records, and Eagle Rock Entertainment. Early incarnations formed in scenes around cities such as London, Newcastle upon Tyne, Los Angeles, New York City, and Tokyo, drawing players who had affiliations with acts like Whitesnake, Rainbow, Blackmore's Night, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Gary Moore. Promoters associated with venues like Camden Palace, Hammersmith Apollo, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and festivals like Download Festival and Wacken Open Air booked the ensemble alongside tribute contemporaries such as The Australian Pink Floyd Show, Kiss Tribute Band (Kisscover), Led Zepagain, and The Fab Four. The group's formation paralleled broader revival movements including the reissue campaigns curated by Rhino Entertainment, retrospective documentaries aired on BBC Two, and retrospective features in magazines such as Rolling Stone, Kerrang!, and Classic Rock (magazine). Over time the lineup evolved through exchanges with musicians who had played with Uriah Heep, Ten, Saxon, Thin Lizzy, and session players active in the West End (London) rock circuit.
Musical Style and Repertoire
The ensemble reproduces material spanning the Rainbow canon from albums like Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, Rising, Long Live Rock 'n' Roll, Down to Earth, and Stranger in Us All. Setlists emphasize tracks such as "Man on the Silver Mountain", "Stargazer", "Kill the King", "Since You Been Gone", and "I Surrender". Arrangements aim to mirror studio elements from producers like Martin Birch and Roger Glover, incorporating keyboard textures reminiscent of Don Airey and guitar techniques associated with Ritchie Blackmore and Malmsteen, alongside drum approaches echoing Cozy Powell and Bev Bevan. The band applies instrumentation and stagecraft inspired by acts such as Deep Purple and Black Sabbath while balancing fidelity with spontaneous improvisation in live settings like arenas, theaters, and festival stages including Isle of Wight Festival and Glastonbury Festival spin-off events.
Band Members and Lineups
Lineups have featured an array of professionals drawn from the rock circuit—vocalists channeling styles of Ronnie James Dio, Graham Bonnet, and Joe Lynn Turner; guitarists emulating techniques of Ritchie Blackmore and Yngwie Malmsteen; keyboardists influenced by Don Airey and Tony Carey; bassists in the lineage of Jimmy Bain and Bob Daisley; and drummers reflecting the approaches of Cozy Powell and Bobby Rondinelli. Musicians with credits in bands such as Whitesnake, Saxon, Ten, Gary Moore, and Blue Öyster Cult have appeared in rotating configurations. Guest performers occasionally include alumni from the original Rainbow lineup and collaborators from projects like Deep Purple, Blackmore's Night, Dio, and The Michael Schenker Group.
Tours and Performances
The tribute ensemble has undertaken tours encompassing club residencies, theater runs, and festival slots in markets such as United Kingdom, United States, Japan, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Brazil. Notable appearances often align with commemorative dates tied to Rainbow anniversaries and tribute nights promoted by organizations like Live Nation, AEG Presents, and independent festival bookers. Performances have taken place at iconic venues including The O2 Arena, Royal Albert Hall, Madison Square Garden, Tokyo Dome, and historic theaters in cities like Manchester, Birmingham, and Milan. The band has been featured on tribute billings alongside acts such as Accept, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Megadeth at heavy rock and classic rock gatherings.
Recordings and Releases
Although primarily a live act, the group has issued live albums, concert DVDs, and streaming releases capturing performances of Rainbow classics, sometimes through boutique labels specializing in archival material like Shrapnel Records, Frontiers Records, and Sanctuary Records. Releases often document festival sets, acoustic sessions, and studio covers distributed on formats including CD, vinyl, and digital platforms linked with iTunes Store, Spotify, and specialty retailers. Some recordings feature guest appearances by musicians known for their work with Deep Purple, Dio, and Black Sabbath; others appear on compilation packages celebrating classic rock heritage curated by outlets such as Classic Rock Presents and anniversary box sets from legacy labels.
Reception and Legacy
Critics and audiences typically evaluate the ensemble on fidelity to the Rainbow sound, stage presentation, and musicianship, with coverage appearing in outlets like Mojo (magazine), Uncut (magazine), Metal Hammer, Guitar World, and local press. Fans of Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio often view the tribute as a living archive that sustains interest in catalogues held by Polydor, Atlantic Records, and Mercury Records. The band participates in charity shows and benefit concerts alongside artists associated with Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy and cultural heritage initiatives supported by institutions such as British Council and city arts councils. Its legacy lies in fostering intergenerational appreciation of 1970s and 1980s hard rock through live performance, archival releases, and community-driven festivals, influencing newer tribute projects and cover bands across scenes in Europe, North America, and Asia.
Category:Tribute bands