Special report by Julie Barela Mills

For a period of 12 years beginning in the mid-‘70s and ending well into the ‘90s (with a ten year hiatus in-between), the band RAINBOW was characterized by a variety of lineup changes and musical styles, which in that time frame, fit the vision of its founder, lead guitarist Ritchie Blackmore (DEEP PURPLE, BLACKMORE’S NIGHT).

To go along with the ever-changing musical styles, the group was defined by four eras, named for the four lead singers (Ronnie James Dio (now with HEAVEN AND HELL), Graham Bonnet (ALCATRAZZ featuring Graham Bonnet), Joe Lynn Turner (DEEP PURPLE, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, solo) and Doogie White (Malmsteen), all of whom fronted the band during its 12-year existence.

And some of the tracks recorded during that time were released as singles, like ‘Man On A Silver Mountain’ and ’Long Live Rock ’n’ Roll’. Those two songs, for example, often made their way onto many US radio stations’ play lists under heavy rotation in the late ‘70s. Later the band released a slew of hard rock and melodic rock tracks that continued to find the US airwaves, such as ‘Since You Been Gone’, ‘Jealous Lover’, ‘Can’t Happen Here’, ‘Stone Cold’, and ‘Street Of Dreams’, just to name a few. Some even managed to win awards (‘Can’t Happen Here’ at Cannes in 1982), or reach the coveted Billboard’s charts (‘Stone Cold’ at #40). And many, if not all of those previously mentioned were made into music or concept videos, which were often featured on the then, brand-new cable media outlets at the time – MTV - in the early to mid-‘80s, and today receive airplay on VH1 Classic and the youtube.

The band still enjoys some of those songs played here and there on ‘classic’ radio stations across the country. And, as for the vocalists who fronted the band, let’s just say, at “rainbow’s” end, so to speak, each of them, at one time or another, has continued to perform many of the tracks they wrote and musically co-created with Blackmore to audiences around the world in their own solo projects.

Now vocalist Joe Lynn Turner leads the charge with this newly formed band called OVER THE RAINBOW, which this writer just witnessed the band, like Godzilla, conquer Japan audiences on their recent three-city mini tour in late April/early May. Three other former members of RAINBOW - drummer Bobby Rondinelli, bassist Greg Smith, and keyboardist Paul Morris - join Turner on the upcoming US tour beginning July 3rd at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois.

And on July 4th, this writer will be heading off to the west Texas town of El Paso (just a stone’s throw away from my current home in central Arizona) for the El Paso Downtown Street Fest. Playing on lead guitar for the band is the son of Blackmore, who is an accomplished guitarist from Germany, named Jurgen.

OVER THE RAINBOW will follow THE CULT and LACUNA COIL on that night.

Stay tuned for a full report.