Rainbow was touring in support of this, the band’s third studio record and in many ways I believe this is the band’s finest album.
Written by: Eric
ARTIST: Rainbow
ALBUM: Long Live Rock N Roll
LABEL: Polydor
SERIAL: POLD 5002
YEAR: 1978
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: England, USA
LINEUP: Ritchie Blackmore – guitar, bass * Ronnie James Dio – vocals * Cozy Powell – drums * Bob Daisley – bass * David Stone – keyboards
TRACK LISTING: 01 Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll * 02 Lady Of The Lake * 03 L.A. Connection * 04 Gates Of Babylon * 05 Kill The King * 06 The Shed (Subtle) * 07 Sensitive To Light * 08 Rainbow Eyes
WEBLINKS: FB Page
Background
I suppose a good indicator a tour has gone dreadfully wrong is when the opening act’s lead guitar player attacks the headliner’s road manager. That’s what happened when REO Speedwagon‘s crew decided to turn the house lights on sooner than the forever moody Ritchie Blackmore liked as Rainbow were walking off the stage mid-tour.
The well publicized brawl was one of the more entertaining events of 1978 which in hindsight had to be one of the worst concert pairings in history, but both bands made it through the twenty plus dates, lopsided as it was.
The Songs
Rainbow was touring in support of this, the band’s third studio record and in many ways I believe this is the band’s finest album. Yes, ‘Rising’ had it’s moments and is a classic, but on ‘Long Live Rock N Roll’, Rainbow put it all on the table as if in a last ditch attempt to get some type of commercial credibility.
Ronnie James Dio in my opinion is one of the best vocalists that ever graced my precious turntable and his work on this record is no exception with the title track and ‘Lady Of The Lake’ leading the charge. Yeah, ‘Sensitive To Light’ sounds not so shockingly like Sweet, a band that sought Dio’s many talents just a couple years earlier.
Of course what Rainbow album from this era would be complete without sword and sorcery? ‘Kill The King’ and the closing ‘Rainbow Eyes’ delivered the goods to the ‘Lord Of The Rings’ crowd complete with a string quartet and flute. Gotta love the 70’s where self indulgence was a rite of passage!
In Summary
Of course Blackmore, not knowing a good thing even if it hit him in the face (sorry, couldn’t resist) disbanded this version of Rainbow with Dio going to Black Sabbath and well… let’s just say everyone did quite well for themselves after the break-up.
The 80’s version of Rainbow with Joe Lynn Turner gets a lot of praise from Glory Daze supporters, but again, the early version(s) of the group I think are their best work. Check out this record and you decide.
Rainbow on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
