Long Live Rock n Roll, Rainbow

Released on April 9, 1978, Long Live Rock 'n' Roll is the third studio album by the British-American hard rock band Rainbow. It stands as a monumental pillar of the genre, marking the final studio collaboration between guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and legendary vocalist Ronnie James Dio.

The album is widely considered the peak of the band’s "Classic" era, blending Blackmore's neo-classical guitar wizardry with Dio's fantasy-themed lyrics and powerful, operatic delivery.

Key Tracks

• "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll": The title track is an anthemic celebration of the genre. With its driving rhythm and infectious chorus, it became a definitive rock radio staple and a permanent fixture in Dio’s live sets for decades.

• "Gates of Babylon": A sprawling, epic masterpiece that features a heavy Middle Eastern influence. It is famous for its complex arrangement, orchestral textures, and one of Ritchie Blackmore’s most celebrated guitar solos.

• "Kill the King": Originally debuted live in 1976, this studio version is a high-speed, aggressive track that many cite as an early blueprint for Power Metal. It showcases the incredible speed and precision of drummer Cozy Powell.

• "Rainbow Eyes": A haunting, seven-minute closing ballad. It features a string quartet and a flute, highlighting a softer, more melancholic side of the band and showing off Dio's incredible vocal range and control.

• nteresting Facts

  • Blackmore on Bass: During the recording sessions, Blackmore was dissatisfied with the bass tracks. As a result, he ended up playing bass himself on several songs, including "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll," "Gates of Babylon," and "Kill the King."

  • The Band Transition: This was the last album to feature the "core" lineup. Shortly after its release, Blackmore moved the band in a more commercial, AOR direction, which led to Ronnie James Dio's departure and his subsequent joining of Black Sabbath.

  • Recording at Château d'Hérouville: The album was recorded in a famous French castle (the same place where Elton John recorded Goodbye Yellow Brick Road). The band claimed the castle was haunted, which reportedly added to the "magical" and "mystical" atmosphere of the recording sessions.

  • Cozy Powell’s Drumming: The powerhouse drumming of Cozy Powell on this record is often cited by rock historians as a major influence on the heavy-hitting styles of the 1980s.

  Production and Sound

  Produced by Martin Birch (who also worked with Deep Purple and Iron Maiden), the album features a "warm" and "organic" sound. It successfully balanced the raw energy of a live band with the sophisticated arrangements of progressive rock, creating a sound that was both heavy and intellectually stimulating.

MINT - sealed

NM - likely never played - almost perfect

VG+ - light scuffs, light scratches wont effect play

VG -  signs of wear, light scratches you can feel

GOOD -  surface noise, visible groove wear

POOR / FAIR- some damage, causing issues like skipping & distorted audio

OIS - original inner sleeve