Rising (Rainbow album)

1976 studio album by Rainbow

Rising

Cover painting by Ken Kelly

Studio album by

Rainbow

Released| 17 May 1976[1]
Recorded| February 1976
Studio| Musicland Studios, Munich
Genre|

* Heavy metal
* hard rock[2]

Length| 33:28
Label| Oyster/Polydor
Producer| Martin Birch
Rainbow chronology
| Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow
(1975)  | Rising
(1976)  | Long Live Rock 'n' Roll
(1978)

|
|

Singles from  Rising

1. "Starstruck"
Released: August 1976[3]

Rising (also known as Rainbow Rising)[4] is the second studio album by the British-American rock band Rainbow. It was released on 17 May 1976. It was the first album to feature drummer Cozy Powell and the only album with bassist Jimmy Bain.

## History

[edit]

Guitarist and bandleader Ritchie Blackmore retained only singer Ronnie James Dio, from the previous line-up and recruited drummer Cozy Powell, bassist Jimmy Bain and keyboardist Tony Carey to complete the new lineup.[5] Recorded in Munich in less than a month, the album was overseen by rock producer and engineer Martin Birch. The band was originally billed as Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow in the US,[4] but was titled simply Rainbow on this album. In 1996, Cozy Powell told Record Collector magazine that much of the album was recorded in one or two takes, with some subsequent overdubs, which explains why no alternate or demo versions exist, just the original or rough mixes.[citation needed]

"Stargazer" features the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra.

Only a few of the album tracks made it into the band's live set: "Stargazer" and "Do You Close Your Eyes", written prior to the inaugural US tour in late 1975, featured in all of the 1975 and 1976 shows, while "A Light in the Black" was dropped early in the 1976 tour, although it was reintroduced into the set during the Japanese dates. "Starstruck" was played in shortened form, usually as part of "Man on the Silver Mountain".[citation needed]

## Release

[edit]

The original vinyl release was a gatefold sleeve, containing a photo of the band inside, with a generic Polydor inner sleeve. Rising peaked at number 48 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart.[6] In the UK it peaked at number 11.[7]

The first CD issue had a slightly different mix to that of the original LP, including a longer delay before the band entered after Carey's opening solo in "Tarot Woman", and a longer play-out on "Run with the Wolf". The track "Stargazer" had the vocals mixed without the delay, the extra synthesizer deleted and some of the phased sounds deleted. When remastered in 1999 the original vinyl mix was restored.[original research?]

### 2011 Deluxe Edition

[edit]

A deluxe version of the album was released in Japan on 5 April 2011 as a three-SHM-CD (Super High Material CD) Deluxe Remastered Edition. This limited edition reissue was released in a cardboard gatefold sleeve (mini LP-style paper jacket), featuring the "high-fidelity" SHM-CD manufacturing process (compatible with standard CD players) and was part of a two-album Rainbow cardboard sleeve reissue series featuring Rainbow Rising and Down to Earth. Both feature the unique-to-Japan obi strip and an additional insert. The Deluxe Edition subsequently received wider release, and went Silver in 2013 in the UK.[8]

## Reception

[edit]

Professional ratingsReview scores

Source| Rating
AllMusic| [9]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal| 9/10[10]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music| [11]
Rolling Stone| (mixed)[12]
Sputnikmusic| [13][2]

According to AllMusic, Rising captured "Blackmore and Dio at the peak of their creative powers...(it) chronicled both the guitarist's neo-classical metal compositions at their most ambitious, and the singer's growing fixation with fantasy lyrical themes – a blueprint he would adopt for his entire career thereafter."[9]

Musicians Rob Halford of Judas Priest and Snowy Shaw have paid tribute to the album in recent years, with Shaw describing it as "a masterpiece and pretty much a milestone" and saying that it "introduced a more Dungeons and Dragons type fantasy heavy rock to the masses."[14][15]

In Issue 4 of Kerrang! magazine (cover-dated October 1981), Rising was voted the greatest heavy metal album of all time.[16][17] In 2017, it was ranked 48th at Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time".[18]

## Notable cover versions

[edit]

* Italian power metal band Domine covered the song "Stargazer" and released it as a Japanese bonus track on their 2002 album Stormbringer Ruler.
* Adrián Barilari, singer of Rata Blanca, performed a version of "Stargazer" (titled "Astrónomo") in Spanish on his album Barilari, and also did an English version of the song, released in 2003 and later on a live album.
* Chicago metal band Bible of the Devil covered the song "Starstruck" on a 2004 split EP with The Last Vegas.[19]
* Dream Theater also covered the song "Stargazer" on the album Black Clouds & Silver Linings (2009).
* Faroese folk metal band Týr covered the song "Stargazer" as well on their album The Lay of Thrym (2011).
* The 2014 tribute album to Ronnie James Dio This Is Your Life featured covers from "Starstruck" by Motörhead and Biff Byford and a medley of the songs: "Stargazer", "Tarot Woman", "Kill the King" and "A Light in the Black" called "Ronnie Rising Medley" by Metallica.

## Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by Ronnie James Dio; all music is composed by Ritchie Blackmore and Dio.

Side oneNo.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "Tarot Woman"| 5:58
2.| "Run with the Wolf"| 3:48
3.| "Starstruck"| 4:06
4.| "Do You Close Your Eyes"| 2:58

Side twoNo.| Title| Length

|
|

5.| "Stargazer"| 8:26
6.| "A Light in the Black"| 8:12

### 2011 Deluxe Edition

[edit]

Disc one – New York MixNo.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "Tarot Woman"| 6:01
2.| "Run with the Wolf"| 3:41
3.| "Starstruck"| 4:06
4.| "Do You Close Your Eyes"| 3:00
5.| "Stargazer"| 8:26
6.| "A Light in the Black"| 8:12

Disc two – Los Angeles MixNo.| Title| Length

|
|

7.| "Tarot Woman"| 6:05
8.| "Run with the Wolf"| 3:45
9.| "Starstruck"| 4:05
10.| "Do You Close Your Eyes"| 2:58
11.| "Stargazer"| 8:22
12.| "A Light in the Black"| 8:11

Disc three – Rough MixNo.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "Tarot Woman"| 6:06
2.| "Run with the Wolf"| 3:49
3.| "Starstruck"| 4:04
4.| "Do You Close Your Eyes"| 3:04
5.| "Stargazer" (with keyboard intro)| 9:08
6.| "A Light in the Black"| 8:12
7.| "Stargazer" (Pirate Sound tour rehearsal)| 8:34

## Personnel

[edit]

Rainbow

* Ronnie James Dio – vocals
* Ritchie Blackmore – guitars
* Tony Carey – keyboards
* Jimmy Bain – bass
* Cozy Powell – drums

Additional musicians

* Munich Philharmonic Orchestra – strings, horn
* Fritz Sonnleitner – concert master
* Rainer Pietsch – conductor

Production

* Produced and mixed by Martin Birch
* Recorded at Musicland Studios, Munich, Germany, February 1976

## Charts

[edit]

Chart (1976)  | Peak
position

|

Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[20] | 33
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[21] | 17
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[22] | 38
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[23] | 12
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[24] | 36
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[25] | 23
UK Albums (OCC)[26] | 11
US Billboard 200[27] | 48
Chart (2011)  | Peak
position

|

Oricon Japanese Albums Charts[28] | 67
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[29] | 7
Chart (2025)  | Peak
position

|

Greek Albums (IFPI)[30] | 44

## Certifications

[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Australia (ARIA)[20] | Gold  | 20,000^
France (SNEP)[31] | Gold  | 100,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[32] | Gold  | 100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[33] | Gold  | 100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[34]
2011 Deluxe Edition  | Silver  | 60,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

## Accolades

[edit]

Publication  | Country  | Accolade  | Year  | Rank

|
|
|
|

Kerrang! | United Kingdom  | "Greatest Heavy Metal Albums of All Time"[16] | 1981  | 1
Kerrang! | United Kingdom  | "100 Greatest Heavy Metal Albums of All Time"[35] | 1989  | 14
Q | United Kingdom  | "The 30 Greatest Classic Rock Albums Ever"[36] | 2004  | –
Kerrang! | United Kingdom  | "100 Best British Rock Albums Ever"[37] | 2005  | 74
Classic Rock | United Kingdom  | "100 Greatest British Rock Album Ever"[38] | 2006  | 18

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Popoff, Martin (2020). Sensitive to Light (second ed.). Wymer Publishing. p. 305\. ISBN 978-1-912782-40-6.
2. ^ a b "Rainbow – Rising". Sputnikmusic. 26 November 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
3. ^ "Rainbow singles".
4. ^ a b "Blackmore's Rainbow – Rainbow Rising". Discogs. 1984. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
5. ^ Saulnier, Jason (1 June 2010). "Tony Carey Interview". Music Legends. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
6. ^ "Top LPs & Tape" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 88, no. 28\. 10 July 1976. p. 70.
7. ^ "Rainbow Official Charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
8. ^ "Search for Artist Rainbow". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
9. ^ a b Ginsberg, Geoff. Album review at AllMusic. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
10. ^ Popoff, Martin (October 2003). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 1: The Seventies. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 226\. ISBN 978-1894959025.
11. ^ Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th ed.). Omnibus Press. p. 3960\. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
12. ^ Duncan, Robert (15 July 1976). "Album review: Rainbow – Rainbow Rising". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 7 November 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
13. ^ Arneson, Aaron (12 October 2012). "Rainbow – Rising". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
14. ^ Booth, Alison (20 May 2016). "RAINBOW "Rising" At 40: Interview With Snowy Shaw". Metal Shock Finland. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
15. ^ Booth, Alison (18 May 2016). "RAINBOW "Rising" At 40: Interview With Rob Halford". Metal Shock Finland. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
16. ^ a b "All-time Top 100 HM Albums". Kerrang!. No. 4\. October 1981. p. 14. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
17. ^ Bukszpan, Daniel (2003). The Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal. Barnes & Noble Publishing. p. 190\. ISBN 978-0-76074-218-1.
18. ^ Epstein, Dan (21 June 2017). "100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
19. ^ Bible of the Devil Starstruck on discogs
20. ^ a b Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
21. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 4292a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
22. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Rainbow – Rising" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
23. ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
24. ^ "Charts.nz – Rainbow – Rising". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
25. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Rainbow – Rising". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
26. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
27. ^ "Rainbow Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
28. ^ レインボー レインボーのアルバム売り上げランキング (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
29. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
30. ^ "Official IFPI Charts Top-75 Albums Sales Chart (Combined) – Εβδομάδα: 02/2025". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 15 January 2025. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
31. ^ "French album certifications – Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow – Rainbow Rising" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved 20 March 2024. Select RITCHIE BLACKMORE'S RAINBOW and click OK.
32. ^ "Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow Earns Gold in Japan, Australia" (PDF). Billboard. 13 October 1984. p. 9. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
33. ^ "British album certifications – Rainbow – Rising". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
34. ^ "British album certifications – Rainvow – Rising". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
35. ^ "Kerrang – 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Albums of All Time – January 1989". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 14 February 2006. Retrieved 10 February 2009.
36. ^ "Q – The 30 Greatest Classic Rock Albums Ever – October 2004". Q. Archived from the original on 7 May 2006. Retrieved 10 February 2009.
37. ^ "Kerrang – 100 Best British Rock Albums Ever". Kerrang!. February 2005. Archived from the original on 16 February 2006. Retrieved 10 February 2009.
38. ^ "Classic Rock – 100 Greatest British Rock Album Ever – April 2006". Classic Rock. Archived from the original on 21 April 2006. Retrieved 10 February 2009.

* v
* t
* e

Rainbow

* Ritchie Blackmore
* Candice Night
* Jens Johansson
* David Keith
* Bob Nouveau

* Ronnie James Dio
* Gary Driscoll
* Craig Gruber
* Micky Lee Soule
* Cozy Powell
* Jimmy Bain
* Mark Clarke
* Tony Carey
* David Stone
* Bob Daisley
* Roger Glover
* Don Airey
* Graham Bonnet
* Joe Lynn Turner
* Bobby Rondinelli
* David Rosenthal
* Chuck Burgi
* Paul Morris
* Greg Smith
* Doogie White
* John O'Reilly
* John Miceli
* Ronnie Romero

Studio albums|

* Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow
* Rising
* Long Live Rock 'n' Roll
* Down to Earth
* Difficult to Cure
* Straight Between the Eyes
* Bent Out of Shape
* Stranger in Us All

EPs|

* Jealous Lover

Live albums|

* On Stage
* Finyl Vinyl
* Live in Germany 1976 / Live in Europe
* Deutschland Tournee 1976
* Live in Munich 1977

Compilation albums|

* The Best of Rainbow
* The Very Best of Rainbow
* 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Rainbow
* Pot of Gold
* All Night Long: An Introduction
* Catch the Rainbow: The Anthology
* Winning Combinations: Deep Purple and Rainbow

Video albums|

* Live in Munich 1977

Songs|

* "Man on the Silver Mountain"
* "Stargazer"
* "Since You Been Gone"
* "All Night Long"
* "I Surrender"
* "Stone Cold"
* "Street of Dreams"

Related articles|

* Discography
* Members
* Blackmore's Night
* Elf
* Deep Purple
* Black Sabbath
* Whitesnake
* Dio
* Heaven & Hell
* Yngwie Malmsteen
* Elegant Weapons

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

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