Rainbow Family Tree

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This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they site the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

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Rainbow began when Ritchie Blackmore left Deep purple to form his own band. He is the only consistant member of the band The classic line up featured the legendary Ronnie James Dio and drummer Cozy Powell. Other positions in the band frequently changed. The early albums were written by Ritchie and Dio while later ones would have Joe Lynn Turner in Dio’s spot.. Cozy has a few writing credits during his time. Roger Glover, also formerly of Deep Purple, joined in 1979 and was the most consistent in the band besides Ritchie and also wrote in the band. Keyboardist Don Airey contributed to writing on Difficult to Cure. David Rosenthal replaced him and contributed to writing on the next two albums.

Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach was a baroque period composer. He is one of Ritchie’s “classical” influences. Dio named him as a composer he really liked.

Johann Sebastian Bach was a baroque period composer. He is one of Ritchie’s “classical” influences. Dio named him as a composer he really liked.

Antonio Vivaldi

Antonio Vivaldi was a baroque period violinist and composer. He is one of Ritchie’s “classical” influences.

Antonio Vivaldi was a baroque period violinist and composer. He is one of Ritchie’s “classical” influences.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a classical era virtuoso and composer. Ritchie is known for his classical style of playing and some of that is influenced by Mozart.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a classical era virtuoso and composer. Ritchie is known for his classical style of playing and some of that is influenced by Mozart.

Ludwig van Beethoven

Beethoven is of the most well known classical composers. Dio was a big fan.

Beethoven is of the most well known classical composers. Dio was a big fan.

 

Django Reinhardt

Django Reinhardt was a gypsy jazz player known for only having use of two fingers. Ritchie named him as an early idol.

Django Reinhardt was a gypsy jazz player known for only having use of two fingers. Ritchie named him as an early idol.

 

Mario Lanza

Mario Lanza was an actor / opera singer who Dio grew up listening to. He said he wanted to take that type of vocalization and put it with rock n roll.

Mario Lanza was an actor / opera singer who Dio grew up listening to. He said he wanted to take that type of vocalization and put it with rock n roll.

 

Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra was huge in the days of swing and crooning. Joe named him as some one he imitated when he was young.

Frank Sinatra was huge in the days of swing and crooning. Joe named him as some one he imitated when he was young.

 

Les Paul

Les Paul was a guitarist who played about every style of guitar that existed at the time. He even got a guitar model named after him. Ritchie named him as an early idol.

Les Paul was a guitarist who played about every style of guitar that existed at the time. He even got a guitar model named after him. Ritchie named him as an early idol.

Scotty Moore

Scotty Moore was the guitarist who played with Elvis. Ritchie named him as an early idol.

Scotty Moore was the guitarist who played with Elvis. Ritchie named him as an early idol.

Tommy Steele

Tommy Steele was a rock n roll teen idol in the UK. Seeing him as a kid is what made Ritchie first pick up guitar.

Tommy Steele was a rock n roll teen idol in the UK. Seeing him as a kid is what made Ritchie first pick up guitar.

Cliff Gallup

Cliff Gallup was a session player known for playing with Gene Vincent. Ritchie named him as an early idol.

Cliff Gallup was a session player known for playing with Gene Vincent. Ritchie named him as an early idol.

Jimmy Smith

Jimmy Smith was a big influence on many keyboardists. Don said he was an influence on most English players at the time but no one was ever as good as him.

Jimmy Smith was a big influence on many keyboardists. Don said he was an influence on most English players at the time but no one was ever as good as him.

Sam Cooke

Sam Cooke was known as the king of soul. Joe named him as a hero.

Sam Cooke was known as the king of soul. Joe named him as a hero.

The Shadows were the backing band for Cliff Richards before being an instrumental rock band. They one of the most important and under mentioned bands for the creation of heavy metal being both an influence on Ritchie as well as Tony Iommi. Both were…

The Shadows were the backing band for Cliff Richards before being an instrumental rock band. They one of the most important and under mentioned bands for the creation of heavy metal being both an influence on Ritchie as well as Tony Iommi. Both were influenced by Hank Marvin of The Shadows. Cozzy named drummer Brian Bennett as an influence.

Wes Montgomery

Wes Montgomery was a jazz player named as an early idol by Ritchie

Wes Montgomery was a jazz player named as an early idol by Ritchie

Big Jim Sullivan

Big Jim Sullivan was a session player whom Ritchie lived in the same area with. Ritchie tried to compete with and copy his playing.

Big Jim Sullivan was a session player whom Ritchie lived in the same area with. Ritchie tried to compete with and copy his playing.

Nero and the Gladiators

Nero and the Gladiators wasn’t a band that has gotten much attention. They was combining classical music with rock and a young Ritchie Blackmore was very influenced by this. They were a big influence on the more classical Rainbow sound.

Nero and the Gladiators wasn’t a band that has gotten much attention. They was combining classical music with rock and a young Ritchie Blackmore was very influenced by this. They were a big influence on the more classical Rainbow sound.

Bob Dylan

 
Bob Dylan was influential singer/song writer. Roger named him as his favorite song writer.

Bob Dylan was influential singer/song writer. Roger named him as his favorite song writer.

 
Easily one of the most important bands in rock history, The Beatles were named by Dio when asked about favorite bands in his early days. They were an influence on Roger with Paul being his biggest bass influence. Don named their first album as an …

Easily one of the most important bands in rock history, The Beatles were named by Dio when asked about favorite bands in his early days. They were an influence on Roger with Paul being his biggest bass influence. Don named their first album as an influence on him.

Chick Corea

Chick Corea is perhapse best known for his work with Miles Davis and his jazz fusion band Return to Forever. David named him as an influence.

Chick Corea is perhapse best known for his work with Miles Davis and his jazz fusion band Return to Forever. David named him as an influence.

Brian Auger

Brian Auger was an English keyboardist with many solo album and has done sessions with many well known people. Don named him as an influence.

Brian Auger was an English keyboardist with many solo album and has done sessions with many well known people. Don named him as an influence.

Otis Redding

Otis Redding is considered one of the greats of Soul. Joe named him as a hero.

Otis Redding is considered one of the greats of Soul. Joe named him as a hero.

David Bowie was very popular and influential and very different. Doogie Said he was big early influence before hearing Deep Purple for the first time.

David Bowie was very popular and influential and very different. Doogie Said he was big early influence before hearing Deep Purple for the first time.

The who was one of the first bands to move rock into a harder sound. Ritchie named them as an influence. He said hearing them let the guitars feed back was an eye opener for him. He also said Pete Townshends style of writing is what made him want to…

The who was one of the first bands to move rock into a harder sound. Ritchie named them as an influence. He said hearing them let the guitars feed back was an eye opener for him. He also said Pete Townshends style of writing is what made him want to write his own stuff.

Ritchie named Mike Bloomfield of The Paul Butterfield Blues band as an influence on him.

Ritchie named Mike Bloomfield of The Paul Butterfield Blues band as an influence on him.

Isao Tomita was a composer and pioneer of electronic music. David named him as an influence.

Isao Tomita was a composer and pioneer of electronic music. David named him as an influence.

One of the most influential guitar players of all time Jimi Hendrix was playing a flashy blues rock / psychedelic style. Blackmore has written riffs inspired by Hendrix. Don said Axis Bold as Love influenced him. Joe said Jimi was his number one r…

One of the most influential guitar players of all time Jimi Hendrix was playing a flashy blues rock / psychedelic style. Blackmore has written riffs inspired by Hendrix. Don said Axis Bold as Love influenced him. Joe said Jimi was his number one rock hero.

Cream was one of the heaviest bands around prier to heavy metal, playing a hard blues rock / psychedelic rock. Ritchie wrote riffs inspired by Eric Clapton. Jack Bruce was an influence on Roger.

Cream was one of the heaviest bands around prier to heavy metal, playing a hard blues rock / psychedelic rock. Ritchie wrote riffs inspired by Eric Clapton. Jack Bruce was an influence on Roger.

Vanilla Fudge was a psychedelic band in the late 60’s. When Deep Purple started to take a heavier approach, they were a big influence on Ritchie.

Vanilla Fudge was a psychedelic band in the late 60’s. When Deep Purple started to take a heavier approach, they were a big influence on Ritchie.

One of the most important and popular progressive rock bands, Pink Floyd was another band named by Dio when asked about favorite bands in his Elf days.

One of the most important and popular progressive rock bands, Pink Floyd was another band named by Dio when asked about favorite bands in his Elf days.

Jeff Beck is one of the influential guitarists that got a start in the Yardbirds before starting his own band. Ritchie named Jeff as his idol.

Jeff Beck is one of the influential guitarists that got a start in the Yardbirds before starting his own band. Ritchie named Jeff as his idol.

Deep Purple who started more of a rock band before getting heavier and even at times play heavy metal. They are the prior band of Ritchie and Roger. Dio named them as an influence stating that at the time he was in Elf but wanted to be part of a h…

Deep Purple who started more of a rock band before getting heavier and even at times play heavy metal. They are the prior band of Ritchie and Roger. Dio named them as an influence stating that at the time he was in Elf but wanted to be part of a heavier band. He mentions Deep Purple as his favorite band at the time. Don said seeing Deep Purple live for the first time had a huge impact on him. Joe considered Ritchie as a hero of his and Deep Purple as his favorite band. Doogie was also influenced by Deep Purple.

Todd Rundgren

Todd Rundgren was a multi instrumentalist rock/pop player. Don named his album Hermit of Mink Hollow as an influence. Doogie named him as an influence.

Todd Rundgren was a multi instrumentalist rock/pop player. Don named his album Hermit of Mink Hollow as an influence. Doogie named him as an influence.

Keith Emerson

Keith Emerson is best known for the work he did in progressive rock super group Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. David named him as an influence.

Keith Emerson is best known for the work he did in progressive rock super group Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. David named him as an influence.

Shuggie Otis

Shuggie Otis was mostly funk based player. Ritchie named him as a “blues” influence.

Shuggie Otis was mostly funk based player. Ritchie named him as a “blues” influence.

Led-Zeppelin is more of a peer to Deep Purple, but Ritchie said after hearing the first Zeppelin album Deep Purple decided to go in a heavier direction. Dio named them as an influence and said he was mostly influenced by British bands at the time. …

Led-Zeppelin is more of a peer to Deep Purple, but Ritchie said after hearing the first Zeppelin album Deep Purple decided to go in a heavier direction. Dio named them as an influence and said he was mostly influenced by British bands at the time. Joe was a big Zeppelin Fan.

Mountain with guitarist influential guitarist Leslie West was another band that was big influence on Ritchie as Deep Purple moved to a heavier sound.

Mountain with guitarist influential guitarist Leslie West was another band that was big influence on Ritchie as Deep Purple moved to a heavier sound.

King Crimson are a hugely important progressive rock band. Dio was a big fan in his early days.

King Crimson are a hugely important progressive rock band. Dio was a big fan in his early days.

Mahavishnu Orchestra was a jazz fusion / progressive rock band. Don named their album Inner Mounting Flame as an influence on him.

Mahavishnu Orchestra was a jazz fusion / progressive rock band. Don named their album Inner Mounting Flame as an influence on him.

The Doobie Brothers were a popular rock/pop band. Joe named Michael McDonald as one of the singers he imitated when he was young.

The Doobie Brothers were a popular rock/pop band. Joe named Michael McDonald as one of the singers he imitated when he was young.

Rick Wakeman

Rick Wakeman is best known for his work with progressive rock band Yes but has a ton of solo work. David named him as an influence.

Rick Wakeman is best known for his work with progressive rock band Yes but has a ton of solo work. David named him as an influence.

 
Bad Company were a popular hard rock / blues rock band. Joe named Paul Rogers as one of the singers he used to imitate.

Bad Company were a popular hard rock / blues rock band. Joe named Paul Rogers as one of the singers he used to imitate.

 
Foreigner were a popular rock band particularly in the late 70’s. Ritchie said he was influenced by their singer but thought their music was lacking. This was in response to the similarities of Joe Lynn Turner era sounding very similar to them. D…

Foreigner were a popular rock band particularly in the late 70’s. Ritchie said he was influenced by their singer but thought their music was lacking. This was in response to the similarities of Joe Lynn Turner era sounding very similar to them. Doogie mentioning listening to singer Lou Gramm

Kit Watkins

Kit Watkins has done a ton of solo work and was they keyboardist for prog rock band Happy the Man. David named him and the band has an influence. (He would later join Happy the Man)

Kit Watkins has done a ton of solo work and was they keyboardist for prog rock band Happy the Man. David named him and the band has an influence. (He would later join Happy the Man)

John Sloman

John Sloman sung for several bands including Lone Star, UFO, and Uriah Heep. Doogie named him as an influence.

John Sloman sung for several bands including Lone Star, UFO, and Uriah Heep. Doogie named him as an influence.

Ritchie named a lot of country guitar players as being really good but didn’t name them as direct influences. These include Jimmy Bryant, Chet Atkins, Glen Campbell, and Buck Owens & The Buckeroos. He would do the same for blues players Peter Green with John Mayall, B.B. King and Mick Taylor who played with both John Mayall and The Rolling Stones.

Dio said he grew up with opera around him and it influenced his later style.

Dio says that Alice Cooper’s stage performance influenced him to find his own style.

Dio mentions Aerosmith’s “Dream On” is a favorite song of his.

Cozy Powell played on three studio albums. His early influences were Brian Bennett from the Shadows and Bobby Elliot from the Hollies. He would watch them to learn how they were playing. He has a few co-writing credits with the band.

Graham Bonnet was the vocalist on Down to Earth but did not contribute to writing.

Roger says he is more influenced by writers than players. He said even though he has a lot of respect for someone like Jaco Pastorius he prefers good song writers even if they are not technically as proficient.

Rodger Glover’s bass influences include many Motown players.

Don Airey studied classical music in school.

Joe named some punk singers were an influence on him but didn’t know who. He also plays guitar and says he would copy licks from Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore, and Jimmy Page. He also played according as a kid.

Doogie sung and co-wrote on the only album from Rainbow in the 90’s, Stranger in Us All. In the 80’s Doogie said he was listening to black soul singers and didn’t like hair metal.

Paul Morris played keyboards on Stranger in Us All but only has one co-writing credit.

Bands influenced by Rainbow!

As this project advances, bands will be added here… there are many!

Later drummer, Mikkey Dee named Rainbow as an influence.

Later drummer, Mikkey Dee named Rainbow as an influence.

Influential New Wave of British Heavy Metal

Influential New Wave of British Heavy Metal

One of the most influential metal bands.

One of the most influential metal bands.

Randy Rhaods was influenced by Ritchie.

Randy Rhaods was influenced by Ritchie.

German Thrash Legends

German Thrash Legends

Dio’s band had members influenced by his previous band.

Dio’s band had members influenced by his previous band.

FUCKIN’ SLAYER!!!!!

FUCKIN’ SLAYER!!!!!

German fathers of Power Metal

German fathers of Power Metal

Phoenix Thrashers

Phoenix Thrashers

Bay Area Thrashers

Bay Area Thrashers

Grindcore and Melodic Death pioneers

Grindcore and Melodic Death pioneers

A Death Metal Classic

A Death Metal Classic

One of the biggest and most influential Symphonic bands

One of the biggest and most influential Symphonic bands

Metal-core with a variety of influences

Metal-core with a variety of influences

 
Heavy/Power Metal

Heavy/Power Metal

Sources:

(some sources originally listed for Deep Purple and Dio Family Trees)
https://www.givememetal.com/hardrocktrees/deep-purple-family-tree
https://www.givememetal.com/heavymetaltrees/dio-family-tree

https://ritchieblackmoresrainbow.wordpress.com/sounds-july-25-1981/
http://www.maximumink.com/index.php/articles/permalink/don_airey
http://www.metal-experience.com/interviews/Interview%20Don%20Airey%202008.htm
http://www.musiclifemagazine.net/joe-lynn-turner-revisits-some-of-his-classic-rock-influences-on-new-album/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWH7-NmDJ4w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfLTBNFi3fs
https://www.kvraudio.com/interviews/embracing-change-the-right-way-an-interview-with-david-rosenthal-41845
http://kkdowning.net/steelmill/Interviews/doogie-white/
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/14-joe-lynn-turner-rainbow-deep-purple/id1533773809?i=1000507243905&fbclid=IwAR3AUQghC6NvtF8HUqyH2yGeVVWzfnAeCbL6FAwbniUO9CvejrV0Yy08NHU