"Stone Cold" by Rainbow

Song#:  1002
Date:  04/24/1982
Debut:  85
Peak:  40
Weeks:  12
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Ritchie Blackmore was still a member of Deep Purple when he set out to record some songs that the group had rejected (the ol' "creative differences"). He brought on board Ronnie James Dio and the pair hit it off personally and professionally. Using members of Dio's band Elf, they recorded the 1975 LP "Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow." It was a success reaching #30 in the US and #11 in their UK homeland. Soon after the recording, Blackmore quit Deep Purple and officially formed Rainbow with Dio. Their success would continue but after three albums Dio left the band. Blackmore continued on taking the group in a more commercial direction. This didn't sit well with long time fans but the change resulted in successful singles for them in the UK. The US didn't jump on as quick, but this first single from their "Straight Between the Eyes" album landed them in the Top 40 and became a #1 rock track. It would be their best success in the US.

ReduxReview:  Yeah, this does leach into Foreigner territory and pretty much skips the mystical hard rock of their beginnings. This song takes a little bit to rev up and once it does it is not too bad. I don't think it is a particularly strong song, but if they were going for a commercial arena rock sound, they hit it pretty well.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Apparently Ritchie Blackmore was not the easiest person to get along with or to please. Throughout the Rainbow days, Blackmore would consistently fire and hire band members for one thing or another. Early on, Tony Carey was hired as a keyboardist. While on tour, Blackmore thought his playing was too complicated for the band and fired him after a show. Unable to find a replacement on short notice, Blackmore hired him back. But that didn't last too long as Carey was later sacked again. The revolving door of band members spun so much that each Rainbow studio album featured a different line-up.

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