Ritchie Blackmore has released a new photo of the 2016 Rainbow lineup ahead of their rare three-show run in June.
The guitarist will be joined by Lords Of Black singer Ronnie Romero, Stratovarius keyboardist Jens Johansson, Blackmore’s Night drummer David Keith and bassist Bob Nouveau when they perform the Best of Rainbow and Deep Purple at the Monsters Of Rock festivals in Loreley, Germany on June 17 and Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany on June 18, as well as a solo headlining date at the Genting Arena in Birmingham, UK on June 25.
"The setlist will be Rainbow songs for about 70 percent, including 'Stargazer', because apparently that's a song everybody wants to hear,” explains Blackmore. “About 30 percent will be Deep Purple songs. We will focus on the best-known songs. The Dio era will be a central part of the show, but we will also play songs from the Joe Lynn Turner and Graham Bonnet periods. As far as Purple is concerned; we will play the Gillan era but will also play something from the David Coverdale period."
Ahead of the Rainbow shows, Blackmore will be inducted into the 2016 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame on April 8 in New York as a member of Deep Purple.
The present day lineup of the group have refused to perform with Blackmore at the event, so the guitarist has decided not to attend the ceremony.
On April 22, Rainbow will release “Monsters Of Rock - Live At Donington 1980”, a new DVD+CD set that captures their 1980 performance at the UK’s Monsters Of Rock festival.
The package captures the last performance of the Rainbow lineup of Blackmore, keyboardist Don Airey, bassist Roger Glover, vocalist Graham Bonnet and drummer Cozy Powell as they headlined the first rock festival ever staged at Castle Donington.
See also:
Deep Purple share new album update
Ritchie Blackmore recovering from surgery
Former Deep Purple singer says Rock Hall induction is a circus
Ritchie Blackmore previews 2016 Rainbow concerts
Deep Purple refuse to perform with Ritchie Blackmore at Rock Hall induction
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