CD: RAINBOW 'Rising' MEGA RARE UK Import! From 1983! In Great Shape, and W/Bonus CD!

Ritchie Blackmore left hard rock giants Deep Purple in 1975, FIFTY years ago next year. He quickly formed a band called Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, which was shortened to just Rainbow by the second album. That first album, titled 'Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow', gave the world such hard rock classics as ''Man On the Silver Mountain'', and ''Black Sheep of the Family''. The songs "Temple of the King" and "Catch the Rainbow" always makes me feel like I'm back in the middle ages! It's a great classic rock album that's an important part of rock and roll history. Blackmore, of course, enlisted the vocal talents of Ronnie James Dio, and those two, with the help of Gary Driscoll on drums, Craig Gruber on bass, and Micky Lee Soule on piano and organ, made magic on that first Rainbow record.

The next album, officially called 'Rising' (though usually known as 'Rainbow Rising'), was released in 1976. Dio stayed in the band. (He made one more studio album with Rainbow, 'Long Live Rock 'n' Roll', in 1978. He would be gone by 1979, bound for Black Sabbath!) The other members changed, and this time it was Cozy Powell on drums, Jimmy Bain on bass, and Tony Carey on keyboards.

Rainbow was active on and off through the years, with numerous musicians passing through. Blackmore left to form his own (medieval folk rock) band in '97, with his wife Candice Night, and called it Blackmore's Night. Candice also sings in Rainbow. And former Rainbow lead singer Joe Lynn Turner was even in Deep Purple for a while! Ian Gillan is again currently singing in Deep Purple.

Today we look at the first two Rainbow albums, with a ultra-rare "holy grail" picture disc LP for the second album, plus a remastered copy of the first album on CD! First up is the picture disc. It is was released in the UK, official and acknowledged by the band and their label. A handful were made, possibly only 100? I've seen this go for around $350, (no less than $325) the only other time I've seen a copy. That's TWO copies of this that I've ever seen in all of my years of picture disc collecting, and this is ONE of those two copies! Not a selling point. Just being honest!

This will come in a plain generic PVC jacket. The pic disc itself is in great shape, with only a small "tag" hanging off the rim. Could be maybe sanded off, or cut off. It's not bad, but it's a flaw. I don't see any surface marks on either side. Definitely no scratches, gouges or scuffs. The colors are bright and beautiful, especially for something that over FORTY years old! One of the rarest Rainbow collectibles out there. Didn't wait too long, I might change my mind and hang on to this one...

I'll also add a copy of the first Rainbow album, and the remastered CD. They cleaned it up using today's technology, and it sounds amazing! It's a shame they didn't add extra tracks or anything, but the remastered sound is crown jewel of this disc. Vintage mid 70s Rainbow never sounded so good! Disc has one or two very, very light surface marks on it. Nothing bad, hardly noticable, and that won't affect play at all. The case looks new. Look up, there's a Rainbow in the sky, and it really rocks!

Several members of the two Rainbow lineups have passed away. RIP to Ronnie Dio, Gary Driscoll, Craig Gruber, Jimmy Bain, and Cozy Powell. Collectively, you guys made some timeless and classic music that still sounds amazing, to this very day. Each one of you is missed!

Shipping worldwide! Ebay has enrolled me in their international shipping program and handles all fees, paperwork, and we are both covered if anything happens in transit. And I pack well, using cardboard mailers and/or bubble wrap and padded mailers. So your item should get to you, wherever you are, in good shape!

Please know that I don't make money on shipping. In fact sellers usually lose money on shipping, as eBay keeps a portion. Expedited shipping is available to anyone who wants it. USPS's Ground Advantage is close to Priority Mail with delivery, adds $100 of insurance, and is less than Priority. If you NEED it a little faster, just choose and pay for that option when checking out.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Ask me about combined shipping when you make multiple purchases. If there are any problems once you receive your item(s), please give me a chance to make it right. MOST problems are easily resolved... Immediate payment if I accept your best offer, please. Also, if you try to make a seriously low-ball offer, it will automatically decline it. (REASONABLE offers usually get automatically accepted.) Thanks for stopping by. Take care, and have a good day!