As the much-anticipated tribute to Richie Blackmore’s Rainbow, Ride The Rainbow – The Ultimate Tribute To Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, draws closer to its June 19 release date, another taste of the treat to come materializes with this sonics-stuffed reimagining of the first album’s classic “The Temple Of The King.”

Contemplating the full line-up of Ronnie Romero (vocals – Rainbow), Steve Morse (guitar – Deep Purple), Jonathan Cain (keyboards – The Babys, Journey), Simon Wright (drums – Dio, Queensrÿche), Phil Soussan (bass – Wildlife) and Kevin James Morse (guitar), it’s immediately clear that this is no straightforward cover version. 

Many fans would agree that Rainbow’s debut LP was also their most imaginative, as Blackmore battled to free himself from the shackles of his last band, armed with a line-up that had no intention, either, of being labeled Purple Part 2.  So powerful, in fact, was this particular track that it even titled a recent box set of Rainbow’s own material.

Now, Romero and co lift it even higher than – and, perhaps, even further from – that devastating prototype, a reminder that while critical shorthand insists on referring to Rainbow as a metal band, the music itself was – and remains – an adventure beyond any contemporary musical standards.

“Being part of the Rainbow legacy, and having the opportunity to play this song with Ritchie himself on stage, to record this song it means the world to me,” says Romero.  “I would never be grateful enough for the chance of being part of this legendary band, so here is a humble way to pay tribute to one of my favorite songs and my all time favorite band. Hope the people like it the same way I loved it recording it.”

Steve Morse continues, “I remember playing an outdoor festival show featuring Rainbow, with my previous band, The Dregs.  I stayed and watched Rainbow and thought that every single song sounded really good!  Ritchie had always worked with very good musicians, but his vision of heavy, but melodic, rock really impressed me.   I think hearing them sounding so well playing live, really helped to set the bar high for live performance.” 

Jonathan Cain, too, has happy memories of the band, and of the man who sang “Temple Of The King” first time around.  “When Cleopatra asked me to play on a Rainbow Tribute project, I was excited to add my keyboards to it. Rainbow with Ronnie James Dio were one of the truly melodic and memorable metal bands. I got to party with him towards the end of his touring days after a Sweden Rock Festival. His soaring voice and melodies will be remembered for decades to come.”

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Available on CD and brain-melting multi-colored splatter vinyl, Ride The Rainbow itself is an absolutely star-studded journey through the many faces of the Ritchie Blackmore-led legend, with stunning performances from no fewer than six Rainbow alumni – Romero is joined on the album by Bob Daisley, Graham Bonnet, Don Airey, Joe Lynn Turner and Doogie White!  Plus Morse (Blackmore’s successor in Deep Purple), and Ritchie’s Blackmore’s Night partner Candice Night.

As the subtitle says, it truly is “The Ultimate Tribute To Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow.”

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Track listing

1. Long Live Rock ’n’ Roll – Bob Daisley, Graham Bonnet, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, Carmine Appice, Don Airey
2. Man on the Silver Mountain – Sebastian Bach, Doug Aldrich, Bob Daisley, Carmine Appice, Mick Box, Jonathan Cain
3. Stargazer – Derek Sherinian, Marty Friedman, Vinny Appice, Jürgen Engler, Joe Bouchard, Ronnie Romero
4. Lady of the Lake – Angel
5. Rainbow Eyes – Mike Tramp
6. Since You Been Gone – Marty Friedman, Vinny Appice, Graham Bonnet, Jürgen Engler
7. Kill the King – Rick Wakeman, Bob Daisley, Vinnie Moore, Marc Lopes, Chris Adler
8. The Temple of the King – Steve Morse, Phil Soussan, Ronnie Romero, Simon Wright, Jonathan Cain, Kevin James Morse
9. Jealous Lover – George Lynch, Vinny Appice, Andrew Freeman, David Ellefson, Jonathan Cain
10. I Surrender – Eric Gales, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Phil Soussan, Don Airey, Chris Adler
11. Catch the Rainbow – Doogie White, Derek Sherinian, Chris Poland, Vinny Appice, Bob Daisley
12. Street of Dreams – Paul Shortino, Joel Hoekstra, Joe Bouchard, Fred Aching, Jonathan Cain
13. Stone Cold – Vivian Campbell, Joe Lynn Turner
14. I Surrender – Marcus Nand, Candice Night