9 Successful Bands That Changed Their Vocalist
6. Rainbow
Rising from the ashes of rock band Elf, Rainbow was the brainchild of former Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. Choosing to leave Deep Purple, Blackmore decided to record new material with Ronnie James Dio, who fronted Elf at the time. They released their first album under the name of Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow in 1975.
Taking huge influences from classical music, and penning a unique, and medieval lyrical style, the band managed to establish a sizeable cult following, embarking on their first world tour in 1975. Dio would only serve to further their success with his inclusion on the iconic albums Rising, and Long Live Rock & Roll, but Blackmore was not satisfied with their commercial success and aimed to take the group in a different, more mainstream direction. Not agreeing with this directional change in the slightest, Dio left the band in 1978.
After hosting a series of auditions, Blackmore decided that Graham Bonnet was the man to front Rainbow into pastures new. The album Down To Earth, featuring the song Since You’ve Been Gone, was a successful turning point - and the new pop-rock style gained Blackmore and co some considerable exposure in the mainstream. Bonnet did not stick around long to bask in this success, though, as he left to pursue a solo career after recording only one album for the band.
Joe Lynn Turner was then brought in as his replacement, and recorded the album Difficult To Cure, which generated mixed reviews but managed to reach #3 in the UK album chart. Turner remained the vocalist until 1984 when the band disbanded, with Blackmore leaving to reform Deep Purple. They were revived in 1995. Vocalist Doogie White was brought in to record the album Stranger In Us All, which was an average seller at best.
In 1997 however, the turmoil ridden line-up was finally put out of its misery with the band being laid to rest seemingly for good. But in 2015, Blackmore reformed the group with Lords Of Black frontman Ronnie Romero, who continues as the touring vocalist to this day.