Graham Bonnet: The Story Behind The Shades - The Authorised Illustrated Biography by Steve Wright is due for publication in early 2016.

“Graham Bonnet was born in Skegness in 1947 and had his first hit single with The Marbles in 1968, “Only One Woman”, which reached #5 in the UK singles chart…” So runs Graham Bonnet’s wikipedia entry. Of The Skyliners, The Peter Tomlinson Band, The Jimmy Aldred Band, The Jan Ramsden Band, The Missing Links, The Blueset, The Bluesect and The Graham Bonnet Band, not a word.

This new biography of the much travelled rock singer more than fills the missing gaps. Author Steve Wright was the ideal person to put this exhaustive book together, running the singer’s fanzine for many years, and with unique access to Bonnet’s own archive as well as friends and family.  The result is an honest and detailed read which will fascinate anyone interested in Bonnet’s career, as well as wanting to know more about the development of pop and rock in the UK during the immediate post-war years.

And what a career it has been. From Skegness to Australia, early success with The Marbles, then returning with a well-regarded solo album in 1977 which saw him high in the Australian charts. This was the spring-board for his rock career, with both The Sweet and Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow keen to secure his services. Blackmore’s offer was the more tempting, though following singer Ronnie James Dio in 1979 was a far from easy ride. ‘Mistreated’ was my audition song, because I didn’t know any Rainbow songs!” Rainbow suddenly found themselves with well-crafted AOR hits in the shape of “Since You Been Gone” and “All Night Long”.

Read more at this location.There may be a limited edition in hardback cover designed by Graham himself. More details to follow.

The Graham Bonnet Band will release a brand new studio album of original songs in early 2016.

Currently making preparations for a February tour in the UK (dates below), the Graham Bonnet Band is a four-piece hard rock outfit led by Graham Bonnet, the former singer of Rainbow, Alcatrazz, Michael Schenker Group / Temple Of Rock, and Impellitteri. The lineup is rounded out by guitarist extraordinaire Conrado Pesinato, bassist Beth-Ami Heavenstone and former Fates Warning and Warlord drummer Mark Zonder.

In the upcoming tour, the band will showcase many acclaimed songs spanning Bonnet's illustrious career, plus new compositions from the band’s forthcoming, as-yet-untitled studio album.

Bonnet says: "It has been a while since I last released a full-length album, but this band is the perfect group of musicians to do just that. We are very excited about working with the great folks at Frontiers for our first Graham Bonnet Band record, we look forward to a productive and exciting 2016!"

The new album will also include a bonus disc of brand new recordings of classic songs from the Graham Bonnet repertoire. More surprises to be announced soon.

Australian dates in April have also been announced. Check out a flyer below: