RAINBOW Down To Earth Progressive Rock Album Cover Gallery & 12" Vinyl LP Discography Information #vinylrecords

Album Description:

Rainbow, the iconic British rock band formed by guitar virtuoso Ritchie Blackmore, left an indelible mark on the music scene in the late 1970s with their groundbreaking album, "Down To Earth". Released in 1979, this 12" vinyl LP album showcased the band's exceptional talent and brought together a formidable lineup of musicians.

Produced by Roger Glover, the bassist of Deep Purple fame, "Down To Earth" is a testament to Rainbow's ability to seamlessly blend hard rock with elements of melodic and progressive music. The album captures the band's musical prowess and delivers an unforgettable listening experience.

Recorded at Chateau Pelly De Cornfeld, France, with the Maison Rouge Mobile Recording Studio, the album boasts a pristine production quality that allows every instrument to shine. The sound engineer, Gary Edwards, played a crucial role in capturing the band's energy and ensuring a sonic landscape that resonates with the listeners.

One of the notable features of the "Down To Earth" album is the inclusion of a 12" photo insert/leaflet, featuring captivating photographs of the Rainbow band members. This addition provides fans with a visual glimpse into the world of the band and adds a personal touch to the album. The photo insert is a collector's item that further enhances the overall experience of owning this vinyl LP.

The band members on "Down To Earth" display exceptional skill and contribute their unique talents to create a cohesive musical journey. Graham Bonnet's powerful vocals add a dynamic and charismatic dimension to the songs, while Ritchie Blackmore's guitar work is nothing short of awe-inspiring. His signature style and intricate solos elevate the album to new heights. Don Airey's keyboards provide a rich and atmospheric backdrop, complementing the melodies and adding depth to the compositions. Roger Glover's bass lines are solid and groovy, establishing a strong foundation for the music, and Cozy Powell's drums drive the songs with precision and energy.

The tracks on "Down To Earth" showcase Rainbow's versatility and range. From the anthemic and unforgettable "Since You've Been Gone", which became one of their biggest hits, to the epic and progressive "Eyes of the World", the album takes listeners on a captivating musical journey. Other standout tracks include the hard-hitting "All Night Long" and the emotionally charged "Love's No Friend". Each song is a testament to the band's ability to craft memorable melodies and powerful rock anthems.

Released in 1979 and made in Germany, "Down To Earth" solidified Rainbow's status as one of the leading forces in the rock music scene. It garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, further establishing the band's legacy. The album continues to captivate audiences to this day and remains a favorite among rock enthusiasts.

Music Genre:

Progressive Hard Rock Music

Album Production Information:

Produced by Roger Glover

Roger Glover – Bass, Producer, Songwriter

If the groove feels like a tank with manners, his name is usually somewhere nearby. Read more...

Roger Glover is one of those credit lines I trust on sight: a Welsh bassist, producer, and songwriter who helped define the heavyweight “engine room” of classic hard rock. I mainly tag him to two eras that just refuse to die: Deep Purple (1969–1973, 1984–present), where his bass and writing instincts locked in with that Mark II bite, and Rainbow (1979–1984), where he wasn’t just playing low-end—he was also steering the sound as lyricist and producer. He came up through Episode Six, then spent the 1970s stacking production work and side projects like it was a second career (because, yeah, it basically was), but those Purple and Rainbow years are the real “mythology in the liner notes” stuff.

Roger Glover Wiki

Recorded at Chateau Pelly De Cornfeld, France with the Maison Rouge Mobile Recording Studio.

Sound engineer: Gary Edwards

Record Label & Catalognr:

Polydor 2391 410 ( 2391410 )

Packaging:

This album includes the 12" photo insert/leaflet with photos of Rainbow band members

Media Format:

12" LP Vinyl Gramophone Record

Year & Country:

1979 Made in Germany

Band Members and Musicians on: Rainbow Down To Earth

Graham Bonnet - vocals

Graham Bonnet stands as one of the most dynamic and versatile vocalists in the history of rock music. With a career spanning over five decades, Bonnet has left an indelible mark on the genres of rock, heavy metal, and hard rock. Known for his powerful voice and wide-ranging musical versatility, Bonnet has fronted some of the most influential bands and has built a remarkable solo career.

Early Years and Rise to Fame

Born on 23 December 1947 in Skegness, England, Graham Bonnet began his musical journey in the 1960s. His initial foray into the music industry was with the pop duo The Marbles, where he achieved a hit single, "Only One Woman," in 1968. This early success showcased Bonnet's strong, clear vocal style and hinted at the powerful performances that would define his later career.

Breakthrough with Rainbow

more...

Bonnet's big break came in 1979 when he joined Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, replacing Ronnie James Dio as the lead vocalist. His first and only album with Rainbow, "Down to Earth," was released the same year and featured the hit singles "Since You Been Gone" and "All Night Long." Bonnet's distinctive voice, blending rock grit with melodic finesse, brought a fresh sound to Rainbow and helped the album achieve commercial success.

Michael Schenker Group and Alcatrazz

After leaving Rainbow, Bonnet joined the Michael Schenker Group (MSG) in 1982. His tenure with MSG was brief but notable, contributing to the album "Assault Attack," which is often celebrated for its powerful vocal performances and technical prowess.

In 1983, Bonnet founded Alcatrazz, a band that would become a significant chapter in his career. Alcatrazz's music was a unique blend of heavy metal and hard rock, characterized by intricate musicianship and Bonnet's soaring vocals. The band's debut album, "No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll," featured the virtuosic guitar work of Yngwie Malmsteen. The follow-up albums, "Disturbing the Peace" (1985) with Steve Vai and "Dangerous Games" (1986) with Danny Johnson, further solidified Alcatrazz's reputation as a pioneering band in the metal scene.

Solo Career and Collaborations

Parallel to his work with bands, Bonnet maintained a solo career that showcased his versatility as an artist. His self-titled debut solo album in 1977, before joining Rainbow, featured a mix of rock and pop, demonstrating his ability to traverse genres. In the years following Alcatrazz, Bonnet continued to release solo albums and collaborated with numerous artists and bands.

One notable collaboration was with the supergroup Impellitteri , where he recorded the critically acclaimed album "Stand in Line" in 1988. Bonnet's powerful vocals paired with Chris Impellitteri's blazing guitar work made for a compelling combination.

Continued Influence and Legacy

Graham Bonnet's influence on rock and metal is profound. His ability to adapt his vocal style to various musical contexts has made him a sought-after vocalist throughout his career. Whether delivering hard-hitting rock anthems or more melodic tracks, Bonnet's voice remains instantly recognizable and consistently powerful.
Ritchie Blackmore - guitar
Ritchie Blackmore – Guitarist, Songwriter
The guy who made the guitar sound both medieval and radioactive, often in the same solo. Read more...
Ritchie Blackmore is the sort of name I see on a sleeve and instantly expect sparks: born Richard Hugh Blackmore (1945), he’s an English guitarist who helped hard-rock riffing grow teeth and then politely refused to stop. His era-stamps are basically whole chapters of rock history: Deep Purple (1968–1975, 1984–1993), where the riffs got louder, sharper, and more dramatic; Rainbow (1975–1984, 1993–1997), where he leaned into melody and fantasy like it was a weapon; and Blackmore’s Night (1997–present), where the electric storm calms down into Renaissance-folk textures without losing that unmistakable Blackmore touch. I love that arc: from amp-stacks and arena thunder to lutes-and-candles vibes, like he just swapped dragons for different dragons.
Ritchie Blackmore Wiki

Don Airey – Keyboards

The keyboard guy who doesn’t “add background,” he installs the whole damn skyline behind the riffs. Read more...

Don Airey is one of those names I spot in the credits and instantly trust the record more: an English keyboardist who can make hard rock and heavy metal feel bigger, darker, and somehow more expensive without sanding off the danger. His most famous band chapters are cleanly stamped in time: Rainbow (1979–1982) where he helped push that Blackmore-era drama into a shinier, arena-sized machine, and Deep Purple (2002–present) where he took over the keys after Jon Lord retired and kept the Purple engine running at full voltage. In between, he did a straight-up three-year stint with Ozzy Osbourne in the early 1980s, which is basically the musical equivalent of juggling chainsaws while the stage is on fire.

Don Airey Wiki

Roger Glover - bass
Roger Glover – Bass, Producer, Songwriter
If the groove feels like a tank with manners, his name is usually somewhere nearby. Read more...
Roger Glover is one of those credit lines I trust on sight: a Welsh bassist, producer, and songwriter who helped define the heavyweight “engine room” of classic hard rock. I mainly tag him to two eras that just refuse to die: Deep Purple (1969–1973, 1984–present), where his bass and writing instincts locked in with that Mark II bite, and Rainbow (1979–1984), where he wasn’t just playing low-end—he was also steering the sound as lyricist and producer. He came up through Episode Six, then spent the 1970s stacking production work and side projects like it was a second career (because, yeah, it basically was), but those Purple and Rainbow years are the real “mythology in the liner notes” stuff.
Roger Glover Wiki
Cozy Powell - drums
Cozy Powell – Drums
Cozy Powell is the kind of drummer I file under “human avalanche”: big hands, bigger feel, and a groove that hits like a freight train in leather pants. Read more...
Cozy Powell, for me, is the textbook example of “power that still swings”—he can be thunderous without turning stiff, flashy without turning messy, and he always leaves space for the riff to breathe. When I hear him, I hear commitment: the snare cracks, the toms roll like incoming weather, and the whole band suddenly sounds like it got upgraded to arena mode. Timeline-wise, I always map his career in loud chapters—The Jeff Beck Group (1970–1972), Rainbow (1975–1980), Michael Schenker Group (1980–1982), Whitesnake (1982–1985), Emerson, Lake & Powell (1985–1986), Black Sabbath (1988–1991, 1994–1995), and the Brian May Band (1991–1992, 1993–1994, 1998).
Cozy Powell Wiki

Complete Track Listing of: Rainbow Down To Earth

All Night Long 3:53
Eyes Of The World 6:42
No Time To Lose 3:45
Makin' Love 4:38
Since You Been Gone 3:25
Love's No Friend 4:55
Danger Zone 4:31
Lost In Hollywood 4:51

Album Cover Photo Gallery of: Rainbow Down To Earth

High Resolution Photos of rainbow down earth

Note: The photos on this page are of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone ).