A new version of Rainbow‘s “The Temple Of The King” — featuring Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse, Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain, drummer Simon Wright (ex-AC/DC, Dio), bassist Phil Soussan (ex-Ozzy Osbourne), guitarist Kevin James Morse, and Rainbow‘s own vocalist Ronnie Romero — is out now ahead of the June 19 release of Ride The Rainbow – The Ultimate Tribute To Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow via Cleopatra Records.
The tribute record is stacked six-deep with Rainbow alumni: Bob Daisley, Graham Bonnet, Don Airey, Joe Lynn Turner, Doogie White, and Romero all appear, joined by Candice Night (wife of Ritchie Blackmore and his Blackmore’s Night bandmate) and Morse, who succeeded Blackmore in Deep Purple. Rounding out the lineup are guest contributors from across rock and metal’s upper echelon, including Sebastian Bach, Marty Friedman, Derek Sherinian, Rick Wakeman, Vivian Campbell, Eric Gales, and more.
On recording “The Temple Of The King,” Romero said: “Being part of the Rainbow legacy, and having the opportunity to play this song with Ritchie himself on stage, to record this song it means the world to me. I would never be grateful enough for the chance of being part of this legendary band, so here is a humble way to pay tribute to one of my favorite songs and my all-time favorite band. Hope the people like it the same way I loved it recording it.”
Morse recalled first encountering Rainbow live: “I remember playing an outdoor festival show featuring Rainbow, with my previous band, The Dregs. I stayed and watched Rainbow and thought that every single song sounded really good! Ritchie had always worked with very good musicians, but his vision of heavy, but melodic, rock really impressed me.”
Cain brought some Ronnie James Dio-era warmth to his contribution: “When Cleopatra asked me to play on a Rainbow tribute project, I was excited to add my keyboards to it. Rainbow with Ronnie James Dio were one of the truly melodic and memorable metal bands. I got to party with him towards the end of his touring days after a Sweden Rock Festival. His soaring voice and melodies will be remembered for decades to come.”
Ride The Rainbow tracklist:
- “Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll” — Bob Daisley, Graham Bonnet, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, Carmine Appice, Don Airey
- “Man On The Silver Mountain” — Sebastian Bach, Doug Aldrich, Bob Daisley, Carmine Appice, Mick Box, Jonathan Cain
- “Stargazer” — Derek Sherinian, Marty Friedman, Vinny Appice, Jürgen Engler, Joe Bouchard, Ronnie Romero
- “Lady Of The Lake” — Angel
- “Rainbow Eyes” — Mike Tramp
- “Since You Been Gone” — Marty Friedman, Vinny Appice, Graham Bonnet, Jürgen Engler
- “Kill The King” — Rick Wakeman, Bob Daisley, Vinnie Moore, Marc Lopes, Chris Adler
- “The Temple Of The King” — Steve Morse, Phil Soussan, Ronnie Romero, Simon Wright, Jonathan Cain, Kevin James Morse
- “Jealous Lover” — George Lynch, Vinny Appice, Andrew Freeman, David Ellefson, Jonathan Cain
- “I Surrender” — Eric Gales, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Phil Soussan, Don Airey, Chris Adler
- “Catch The Rainbow” — Doogie White, Derek Sherinian, Chris Poland, Vinny Appice, Bob Daisley
- “Street Of Dreams” — Paul Shortino, Joel Hoekstra, Joe Bouchard, Fred Aching, Jonathan Cain
- “Stone Cold” — Vivian Campbell, Joe Lynn Turner
- “I Surrender” — Marcus Nand, Candice Night
