Why did Ritchie Blackmore resurrect Rainbow?
The second middle of the last century gave the world dozens of amazing bands, whose records you want to listen to again and again ... But, unfortunately, sooner or later all these big names and favorite names dissolve in time ... Teams break up, and legendary musicians either get tired of stage activities, or unceremoniously leave us, leaving only an invaluable legacy ... But not so long ago, Ritchie Blackmore made a loud statement about the revival of the once great and beautiful rock band Rainbow!
From this "darkest" object of popular love, the world could expect anything! However, the announcement that Rainbow is resuming live performances has left fans in a frenzy. At first, the idea of Ritchie Blackmore (which, by the way, he had been hatching for more than one year) caused great enthusiasm among rock fans! It would seem: for about 20 years, one of the most virtuoso musicians in the world did not pick up an electric guitar, completely surrendering to the Renaissance ... Many already considered that Blackmore closed rock and roll for himself forever with steel bolts. And here's a statement! But ... very soon the fans were upset.
Alas, after so many years, the former composition cannot be assembled. Blackmore recruited new members, with whom he performed on June 17, 2016 at the Monsters of Rock festival. The set list of the "new old" band was full of great hits like "Stargazer", "Catch the Rainbow", "Man on the Silver Mountain", "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll"… There were a lot of stuff from the Deep Purple repertoire as well. ! However, you can’t fool the audience ... Many of those present noted that “these are completely different Rainbows ...”
If the performance in Germany was weak, then a week later "New-Rainbow" was properly lit in Birmingham! After the second concert, Ritchie Blackmore started talking and told reporters a lot of interesting things! For example, the main idea:
“The idea of the group's revival was to invite not famous, but just good and capable musicians. I have a slightly different approach ... I prefer to help new talents to open up, because they fill the music with a stream of fresh ideas ... "
Rainbow's new line-up is: Bob Nuvo is a bassist from Connecticut, Jens Johansson is a keyboardist with Richie's rich experience, David Keith is a drummer, and Ronnie Romero is a virtually unknown vocalist from Chile.
“I am very demanding on vocalists, but I had no complaints about Roni. He is practically unknown, but I am more than sure that he will build a brilliant career ... He has an amazing voice - just magic! This is something between Ronnie James Dio and Freddie Mercury… Gillan’s songs are easily given to him, which means he has a great and bright future!”
“You know, I had been nurturing the idea of reviving Rainbow for a very long time ... And only when I finally realized that Roni would cope with the concert repertoire, I decided that the most opportune moment had come ... ”Blackmore added.
Yes, to discover unknown talents - in the spirit of Ritchie Blackmore! It was he who allowed the names of Gillan and Dio to sound solemnly to the whole world! In turn, Romero admitted that he was glad and that he was damn lucky! However… a flurry of criticism fell upon the vocalist, disappointed by the new line-up of fans…
On the one hand, I want to be sincerely happy for Roni! Blackmore has very, very picky taste. And since the vocalist has pleased him, then he really deserves a place in New-Rainbow. But if you look at the situation from the other side ... Romero is definitely not to be envied. Just imagine how difficult it is to express yourself when you are not only performing someone else's hit, but you are also being compared to a legend...
But the main issue on the agenda is Blackmore's renewed interest in rock music!
“I know that many people come to my concerts to see if I'm still good enough for something! But also many people come just to see me on stage again… I'm closer to the music of the Renaissance… But that doesn't mean that rock is in the past for me. The key factor is the reaction of the fans. If they like our revival, then maybe a long sequel will follow! To be honest, I resumed the concert activities of Rainbow not so much because of the fans, but because of nostalgia ... It's kind of a tribute to the past Rainbow era ... You can say that this is the final chord in my career as a hard rock guitarist, ”Blackmore shared.
