10 Best Hard Rock Bands Not In The Hall Of Fame
5. Rainbow
Been Eligible Since: 2000
Another offshoot project formed by a Deep Purple alumni, Rainbow was created in 1975 by Ritchie Blackmore to record material that had been turned down by members of Deep Purple.
Throughout their 35 year history, the band has had a large number of personnel changes, given each new album a different feel and sound than the last. Albums such as 1975's Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, 1976's Rising, 1978's Long Live Rock 'n' Roll and 1979's Down to Earth have been critically acclaimed since their release, serving as a testament to the individual strengths of Blackmore and the musicians he employs.
With a number of classic albums under their belt and a plethora of talented musicians, Rainbow deserve a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Fellow guitarists Brian May, Randy Rhodes and Janick Gers have all claimed the work of Ritchie Blackmore to be a major influence, and with an abundance of talent across all lineups of the band, it's easy to see why.
Combining blues and hard rock with the subtle nuances of classical music, Rainbow have been able to have a long and prosperous career that many other bands could only ever dream of. If only the Hall of Fame could see this as well?