When it comes to hard rock in the late 70s and 80s, Rainbow are one of the icons. Founded by Ritchie Blackmore after he left Deep Purple, Rainbow evolved from a solo project into an iconic band that continues to influence rock music to this day.
Line-up stability was never a strong point for the band, with members coming and going. The legendary line-up from the early eighties though, featuring Ronnie James Dio, was responsible for stellar albums such as “Rising” and “Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll”.
In an effort to revive this era, Cleopatra Records initiated a project called “Ride the Rainbow: The Ultimate Tribute to Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow”, featuring 14 stunning reinterpretations of some of the band’s greatest hits. This tribute album features classic songs such as “Kill the King” and “Man on the Silver Mountain”, as well as “Stargazer” from the legendary second album “Rising” and “Stone Cold” from Rainbow’s later years. “Temple of the King”, however, goes back to Rainbow’s roots, while “Street of Dreams” comes from their latest studio album, “Bent Out of Shape”.
These timeless collection of hard rock songs is one aspect of the greatness of this tribute release. Another is the choice of classics and musicians interpreting these rocking gems. An enormous number of people contributed to this album, including former Rainbow members such as Bob Daisley, Graham Bonnet, Don Airey, Joe Lynn Turner and Doogie White. The list of contributors doesn’t end there: Derek Sherinian, Marty Friedman, Rick Wakeman, George Lynch, Ron Thal and Jonathan Cain are just a few of the musicians who added to this stunning tribute album.
Listening to “Ride the Rainbow: The Ultimate Tribute to Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow” is an absolute treat for the ears. It’s as if you’ve stepped into a time machine that takes you back to the golden era of classic rock. This album revives a time when hard rock was reaching a new peak, and these thrilling new interpretations of timeless classics pay real tribute to a band that made an immense contribution to the development of rock music and heavy metal. Long Live Rock’n’Roll.
Tracklist:
- Long Live Rock ’n’ Roll – Bob Daisley, Graham Bonnet, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, Carmine Appice, Don Airey
- Man on the Silver Mountain – Sebastian Bach, Doug Aldrich, Bob Daisley, Carmine Appice, Mick Box, Jonathan Cain
- Stargazer – Derek Sherinian, Marty Friedman, Vinny Appice, Jürgen Engler, Joe Bouchard, Ronnie Romero
- Lady of the Lake – Angel
- Rainbow Eyes – Mike Tramp
- Since You Been Gone – Marty Friedman, Vinny Appice, Graham Bonnet, Jürgen Engler
- Kill the King – Rick Wakeman, Bob Daisley, Vinnie Moore, Marc Lopes, Chris Adler
- The Temple of the King – Steve Morse, Phil Soussan, Ronnie Romero, Simon Wright, Jonathan Cain, Kevin James Morse
- Jealous Lover – George Lynch, Vinny Appice, Andrew Freeman, David Ellefson, Jonathan Cain
- I Surrender – Eric Gales, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Phil Soussan, Don Airey, Chris Adler
- Catch the Rainbow – Doogie White, Derek Sherinian, Chris Poland, Vinny Appice, Bob Daisley
- Street of Dreams – Paul Shortino, Joel Hoekstra, Joe Bouchard, Fred Aching, Jonathan Cain
- Stone Cold – Vivian Campbell, Joe Lynn Turner
- I Surrender – Marcus Nand, Candice Night
Label: Cleopatra Records
Genre: Classic Rock
Release Date EU: June 19th, 2026
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