Kip: Because I was a massive Deep Purple fan as a youngster, Rainbow was a huge presence on my turntable from '75-'78. The “castle rock” focus of the Dio years was very attractive to me and the addition of Cozy Powell, who is one of my favorite musicians of all time, made them the perfect storm. I lost interest very quickly after Dio left, even though I bought all of the subsequent albums, but it will be very apparent from my list that I mostly only had ears for the Dio years.

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10. Since You Been Gone - The only non-Dio track on my list may also might be the most commercial song on Down to Earth, but it makes the list not only because it is catchy, but more importantly, because it contains one of my favorite Blackmore solos. The little staccato descending run is just absolute perfection. I've heard live versions of the song on YouTube that are actually better than the studio piece, but none of them ever contain that guitar bit, so ...nope.

 

9. Tarot Woman - The opener of the epic Rising album announces their presence with authority. Tony Carey's keyboard solo leads into a song that features everything Blackmore and Dio intended when they formed the band: mystical, cinematic lyrics, a driving, classic rock groove, and five of the most talented musicians of that time period. Cozy just DRIVES this song along and demands the others keep up. Several songs are probably more recognized as Rainbow, but none are more representative of the Blackmore/Dio vision. A statement of purpose.

 

8. Lady of the Lake- No band was a better soundtrack to listen to as I read Robert E. Howard's Conan series than this song. It actually sounds like one of Howard's short stories. The machine gun riff segues perfectly into Cozy's massive snare sound. This was real testosterone rock; I made several mix tapes to lift to that always included this song. Pure fantasy nirvana.

 

7. Still I'm Sad - I'm cheating a bit with this one. The studio version is an instrumental cover of a Yardbirds song that concluded the debut album, but the version I listen to is on their On Stage live album. The addition of lyrics by Ronnie James Dio and the absolute blitzkrieg ending of it provided the conclusion of many of my bedroom “concerts.” Don't ask.

 

6. Stargazer - No Rainbow list would be complete without this song, but it suffers from ear fatigue for me. Absolutely their acknowledged “epic,” (which every 70's band was required to have), “Stargazer” is an absolute masterpiece of writing by Dio. I'm shocked no one has ever made a fantasy movie based on it. My love affair with Cozy started when my stoic older brother dropped the needle on that monster opening drum riff and then burst out laughing, as apparently my eyes actually popped. He waved off my embarrassment by telling me he had the exact same reaction. Good lord were these guys talented players.

 

5. Kill the King- This was the Dio version's “Highway Star.” An absolute perfect live opener (the song oddly debuted on the live album before this album came out), it again features all of the Rainbow elements: fantasy lyrics, teeth gritting punches and a breakneck pace. I was stunned to see it live and realize Blackmore fretted the opening lick with his thumb and it was also interesting to hear Dio say it lyrically was based on chess. Just a steamroller of a song.

 

4. Run with the Wolf - I'm guessing this song will only appear on my list, but it was a favorite from the first listen. Again, a song I lifted to. I somehow always felt that this, lyrically, was a sister song to Purple's “Burn”. Again, they really nailed the Castle Rock thing and this was a perfect fit. Cool riff, thunder drumming and Dio's enunciation of consonants that felt like a metal trait unto itself. A personal favorite.

 

3. Man on the Silver Mountain - Another song that suffers a bit from being overplayed, but what a classic. I can't help noticing how close the riffs for “Smoke on the Water,” “Burn” and this song are, but they all work. I always imagined the first time Ritchie played Ronnie the riff and Dio broke into “I'm a wheel, I'm a wheel....” that they knew they were on to something big. “Black Sheep of the Family” and “16th Century Greensleeves” may have been recorded first, but for most listeners, this was the song that announced to everyone that there was life after Purple for Ritchie. Just a monster song and the triplets under the bridge were just absolute perfection. Have never not broken into a smile upon hearing that intro riff. Legendary song.

 

2. Temple of the King - A bit of an outlier, but this song raised the goosebumps on my arms from the first listen. I always thought Ritchie's acoustic sound was just immaculate and Ronnie's warm, resonate voice in the lower register was a revelation Actually, it's just a lovely piece and I'm sure it was an inspiration to my brother's “The Assassin” composition. This is on my list of funeral songs that I've given to my son.

 

1. Gates of Babylon - While I have read that “Stargazer” is considered Rainbow's “Stairway to Heaven,” I would definitely put forth that “Gates...” is their “Kashmir,” right down to the middle Eastern vibe. This fits into Dio's beginning to dabble in the darker side of religion which would permeate his later works. The interplay of the big three (Blackmore, Dio, Powell) is mind-blowing and keyboardist David Stone, while not particularly a big name, shows why his talent allowed the notoriously critical Blackmore to accept him into the fold. An absolutely top tier song and one that most embodies the band Blackmore and Dio envisioned. Too bad it didn't sell, resulting in Blackmore running off everyone and chasing the charts.

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Jeff: Spring of 1976 was awesome for my growing music collection. Kiss Destroyer, Thin Lizzy Jailbreak, Led Zepplin Presence, Aerosmith Rocks. Blue Oyster Cult Agents of Fortune and Rainbow Rising. What a spring!

 

10. A Light in the Black – Fast little riff and the pace never lets up on this invigorating track. A bit long for my taste at over 8 minutes, and the synth lead at 2:40 is a bit dated, but still a great pick me up song to get me moving! Definitely prefer the Los Angeles mix on this one.

 

9. Starstruck – Fun punchy song and a real earworm. I never get tired of Dio’s singing, he has such a unique voice. If someone else was singing this song I don’t think I would like it as much. Los Angeles mix again!

 

8. Long Live Rock n Roll – What a great album opener! Drives hard! I can feel this number in my bones! I wish I could have seen this song live!

 

7. Lady of the Lake – This is hard hitting but maintains an elegance throughout with Tony Carey’s mystic synth playing during the refrain and second verse. Blackmore’s lead really delivers with almost a magical Egyptian vibe.

 

6. Stone Cold – I know it sounds like a Foreigner piece, still like it. Love that organ on the refrain. If you are going to play Rainbow around the wife, you choose this.

 

5. Man On the Silver Mountain – First track on their first album. Killer gritty riff, this could have easily been a Deep Purple piece, but it’s stunning track on its own and boy does it deliver!

 

4. Gates of Babylon – Great Tony Carey opening, seems other worldly. All the elements of this song are incredible. It is just majestic at 3:00, a beautiful 2-minute instrumental that takes me to a different world…it is my favorite detail of this song.

 

3. Can’t Let You Go – I love the classical organ that opens this. I put this on a cassette for a party once. All these guys standing around going “What the…” as the organ played and then it kicks in with Blackmore doing his coolest opening lick ever. The tone on the guitar is perfect! I still love that left turn moment. By the refrain it sounds just like a great Whitesnake tune!

 

2. Stargazer – Such a high caliber song! So effective and moving with a touch of melancholy. Similar to Gates of Babylon it breaks for a long instrumental that deserves your attention for its scope and appreciating the strength of Richie Blackmore’s lead. I usually don’t like longer songs, but I never tire of this track even though it clocks in at 8:22. 

 

1. Temple of the King – I thought for sure Stargazer would be my number 1, but when I think if I could only hear one Rainbow song before I leave this realm it would be this. It is lyrically beautiful and Ritchie’s simple guitar opening plays on your heart because it sounds hundreds of years old, but modern at the same time.  The lead is his most beautiful creation, Blackmore is not just phoning this in, this a haunting and a straightforward masterpiece.

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Mark: I must admit that the relevance of the first three albums is paramount for me as a Ronnie James Dio fan, even though he was hired as the vocalist/lyricist, and it’s a Ritchie Blackmore project. I consider Ronnie as the focal point, the driving one who steered my imagination through mystical reams of high fantasy.  Now I’m not knocking Ritchie in any way.  He’s amazing! Rich in glorious guitar power and soul. I on the other hand was more drawn to Ronnie’s wonderful singing talents. Who can forget the imagery of the wizard in Stargazer? I could feel the heat of the desert. The grit of oppression and suffering of the slaves and the awe as the wizard fell to his demise with blood on the sand. So, for me Rainbow without Ronnie James is incomplete, dare I say incorrect? At any rate Rainbow after Long Live Rock n Roll for me fades. More blood on the sand…

 

10. Temple of the King - I love this jaunty tune! Its medieval folksiness makes me want to go adventuring astride my trusty stallion. Oh wait, I’m afraid of horses!

 

9. Tarot Woman - Now this is the good stuff! The Rainbow I know and love! From the cool synthy intro to the Cozy Powell power drumming, and the amazing guitar work, and of course Ronnie’s wonderful vocals and lyrics. Great tune!

 

8. Man on the Silver Mountain - This is the first song I heard Ronnie Jame Dio sing. I was just blown away! Even at the tender age of 14 I could tell Ronnie was special. That view has not changed.

 

7. Kill the King - For me Long Live Rock n Roll is the best sounding of the first three albums. All the instruments are crisp and overall, it has a good bottom end. This tune really sounds good cranked.  I suggest an 8 track in some sort of muscle car.

 

6. Run With the Wolf - It seems to me that Ritchie Blackmore is a super wonderful slide player, more in the vein of George Harrison than Duane Almond. Instead of blues licks, he uses slide more for melodic phrasing. Just another aspect of Ritchie’s unique style.

 

5. Still I’m Sad - I love the melody Ritchie squeezes out of his Strat Great groove from Jimmy Bain and Cozy Powell as well. Everything topped with copious amounts of cow bell. Well done!

 

4. Lady of the Lake - What can I say about this one? For me this song kicks booty! Crank it!

 

3. A Light in the Black - I wanted a bit of a dark horse in the number three spot. I knew what the top two were going to be, so maybe a deep cut for this spot. A double bass drum jamboree for Cozy. He’s like a machine! Great synth and guitar sections and of course Ritchie’s killer solo!

 

2. Gates of Babylon - As a person that is drawn to the desert for some strange reason, this track really pops for me. From beginning to end this speaks of the middle east, Arabian nights and ancient civilizations. Not in a Disney way, but deeper…more Biblical. The way Ritchie navigates through the solo section chord changes are so inspiring. A master class! I went back and forth between this one and Stargazer for the number one spot.

 

1. Stargazer - When I first heard this I was deeply entrenched in my all-encompassing Dungeon and Dragons spasm of the 1970’s. This tickled every fancy of high adventure & high fantasy. It gave weight to my imagination, a transitory gateway that only music can provide. Stargazer hasn’t faded for me. I still can listen and be carried away to the burning sands where the wizard flies and towers of stone made with flesh and bone live.