Four decades of hard rock history, three legendary vocalists, one guitar genius and enough classic Rainbow anthems to shake the foundations of Valhalla! 🤘🔥
Legendary British-American hard rock outfit RAINBOW are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their 1986 live compilation Finyl Vinyl with a newly remastered collector’s edition.
Originally released two years after guitarist Ritchie Blackmore returned to Deep Purple, Finyl Vinyl brought together live performances and rare studio material from several chapters of Rainbow’s extraordinary history.
Now, Deko Entertainment are bringing the collection back with fresh packaging, expanded liner notes and a strictly limited run of just 1,000 copies worldwide.
The anniversary edition will be available on 180g coloured double vinyl in gatefold packaging and as a six-panel digipak CD.
And for collectors looking for something particularly special, there’s a limited bundle featuring a print signed by former Rainbow vocalist Graham Bonnet.
Only 100 signed bundles are being offered.
Yes, that’s right. One hundred.
If you’re a Rainbow collector, you might want to put the kettle down and pay attention! ☕🎸
🌈 ‘Finyl Vinyl’ – Forty Years Of Rainbow History
First released in 1986, Finyl Vinyl was something of a musical farewell to Rainbow’s original run.
The band had disbanded in 1984 after Ritchie Blackmore returned to Deep Purple, bringing an end to one of the most influential chapters in British hard rock.
But Rainbow had left behind an extraordinary collection of music.
From the fantasy-inspired heavy rock of the Ronnie James Dio years to the more radio-friendly sound of the Graham Bonnet and Joe Lynn Turner eras, the band had undergone several transformations.
And each chapter produced songs that became part of rock history.
Finyl Vinyl brought those different periods together.
Rather than concentrating on one tour or one line-up, the collection offered a broader look at Rainbow’s evolution.
It included live recordings, rare material and studio tracks that had not previously appeared on the band’s main studio albums.
The result was a release that captured several sides of Ritchie Blackmore’s musical vision.
And 40 years later, it remains an intriguing document of a band that never stood still.
🎸 Ritchie Blackmore – The Guitar Genius Behind Rainbow
You cannot discuss Rainbow without discussing Ritchie Blackmore.
The guitarist had already established himself as one of hard rock’s most influential musicians through his work with Deep Purple.
His playing helped define the sound of classic heavy rock.
But Blackmore wanted to explore musical ideas that extended beyond Deep Purple’s established direction.
In 1975, he formed Rainbow.
His new project initially brought together musicians from the American band Elf, including vocalist Ronnie James Dio.
What followed was a remarkable series of albums combining hard rock, classical influences and fantasy-inspired songwriting.
Blackmore’s guitar playing remained at the centre.
His approach mixed blues-based hard rock with melodic ideas influenced by classical music.
And his ability to move between delicate passages and aggressive riffs gave Rainbow a distinctive musical identity.
Whether he was delivering the thunderous introduction to “Man On The Silver Mountain” or the dramatic guitar work of “Stargazer”, Blackmore had a gift for making the instrument sound enormous.
He could also be famously demanding.
Rainbow’s frequently changing line-ups became almost as legendary as the music itself.
But that constant evolution also helped produce some extraordinary recordings.
🤘 Ronnie James Dio – The Voice Of Rainbow’s Epic Era
Rainbow vocalist: 1975–1979
Before he became the iconic frontman of Dio and one of Black Sabbath’s most celebrated singers, Ronnie James Dio helped establish Rainbow’s identity.
His powerful voice and fantasy-inspired lyrics were central to the band’s early sound.
Together, Dio and Blackmore created three essential studio albums:
- Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow (1975)
- Rising (1976)
- Long Live Rock ’n’ Roll (1978)
These records helped establish the foundations of what would become traditional heavy metal.
Songs such as “Man On The Silver Mountain”, “Stargazer”, “Kill The King” and “Long Live Rock ’n’ Roll” remain enormously influential.
Dio’s vocal delivery combined extraordinary power with remarkable control.
He could make fantasy-inspired lyrics feel dramatic, theatrical and completely convincing.
And his work with Rainbow helped establish the reputation that would follow him throughout his career.
When Dio departed in 1979 to join Black Sabbath, Rainbow faced the challenge of replacing one of rock’s most distinctive voices.
Blackmore’s answer was to take the band in a different direction.
🎤 Graham Bonnet – The Voice That Took Rainbow Into The Charts
Rainbow vocalist: 1979–1980
When Graham Bonnet joined Rainbow, the band’s sound began to change.
Gone was much of the fantasy-inspired imagery associated with the Dio era.
In its place came a more direct, commercially accessible approach to hard rock.
Bonnet’s powerful voice helped drive that transformation.
The result was Down To Earth, released in 1979.
The album included two of Rainbow’s most recognisable songs:
“Since You Been Gone” and “All Night Long”.
“Since You Been Gone”, written by Russ Ballard, became a major UK hit.
The song introduced Rainbow to audiences who might never have explored the band’s earlier, heavier material.
But Bonnet’s tenure was relatively short.
He departed in 1980, leaving behind one studio album and a fascinating chapter in Rainbow’s history.
His contribution remains important.
And his involvement in the new Finyl Vinyl anniversary edition gives the release an additional connection to that era.
Reflecting on his time with Rainbow, Bonnet said:
“I had a fantastic time during my tenure with Rainbow. I learned so much from all of the guys in the band…..those were some of the best days of my life.”
For a musician who has enjoyed an extraordinary career, that’s a particularly affectionate reflection.
🎙️ Joe Lynn Turner – Rainbow’s Arena Rock Years
Rainbow vocalist: 1980–1984
Following Graham Bonnet’s departure, Rainbow recruited American vocalist Joe Lynn Turner.
His arrival marked another significant transformation.
The band moved further towards melodic hard rock, combining Blackmore’s guitar work with polished arrangements and memorable choruses.
Turner appeared on three Rainbow studio albums:
- Difficult To Cure (1981)
- Straight Between The Eyes (1982)
- Bent Out Of Shape (1983)
These records produced songs including “I Surrender”, “Stone Cold”, “Street Of Dreams” and “Can’t Happen Here”.
The Turner era helped Rainbow achieve further commercial success, particularly in the United States.
And it demonstrated Blackmore’s ability to adapt his musical direction without completely abandoning the band’s hard rock foundations.
Turner’s contribution to the anniversary reissue is particularly interesting because he has commented directly on the remastering process.
He explained:
“This reissue has been remastered, which gives the album a cleaner quality of sound and presence than the technology used four decades ago, but it still captures the raw and real feel of live performance.”
That balance between improved clarity and preserving the original performance is one of the most important considerations with any classic rock remaster.
Nobody wants a legendary recording stripped of its character.
The goal should be to reveal more of the music without losing the energy that made it special in the first place.
🥁 Chuck Burgi Reflects On His Rainbow Years
Another musician celebrating the release is drummer Chuck Burgi.
Burgi performed with Rainbow during the band’s later years and contributed to the group’s live performances.
His memories of working with Ritchie Blackmore remain particularly positive.
Burgi described his time in Rainbow as one of the highlights of his career.
Having admired Blackmore since Deep Purple’s earliest recordings, the opportunity to perform alongside the guitarist represented a major personal achievement.
He also remembered the musical chemistry between the musicians.
And that chemistry is one of the qualities that makes historical live recordings so fascinating.
Studio albums capture songs in carefully controlled environments.
Live recordings reveal how musicians interact when the audience is directly in front of them.
Sometimes the arrangements change.
Sometimes the solos develop.
And sometimes the energy of a particular performance creates something that cannot easily be reproduced.
That’s part of the appeal of Finyl Vinyl.
💿 The 40th Anniversary Edition – What’s Included?
Deko Entertainment are giving Finyl Vinyl a collector-focused anniversary release.
The new edition includes remastered audio and expanded packaging.
🌈 180g Coloured Double Vinyl
The vinyl edition features two heavyweight 180g records.
The coloured vinyl presentation gives the release an additional visual appeal for collectors.
The records are housed in gatefold packaging.
For fans who enjoy displaying classic album artwork alongside their collections, that’s a welcome addition.
💿 Six-Panel Digipak CD
CD collectors haven’t been forgotten.
The anniversary edition will also be available in a six-panel digipak.
This provides an alternative for listeners who prefer compact discs or want to add the release to an existing Rainbow collection.
📖 Expanded Liner Notes By Martin Popoff
One of the most interesting additions is the inclusion of expanded liner notes by respected rock journalist Martin Popoff.
Popoff is known for his extensive writing about classic rock, heavy metal and the history of influential musicians.
His involvement should provide valuable historical context for the recordings.
The package also includes reflections from Joe Lynn Turner and Graham Bonnet.
For collectors, these additions can be just as important as the physical presentation.
They help explain the circumstances surrounding the music and the people responsible for creating it.
✍️ Graham Bonnet Signed Print Bundle
For fans wanting something particularly exclusive, Deko Entertainment are offering a limited-edition bundle.
The package includes a print signed by Graham Bonnet.
Only 100 bundles are available.
The wider anniversary release is limited to 1,000 copies worldwide, according to the announcement.
Collectors should check the official store for current availability and the exact contents of each edition.
🎵 RAINBOW – ‘Finyl Vinyl’ 40th Anniversary Tracklist
SIDE A
- Spotlight Kid
- I Surrender
- Miss Mistreated
- Street Of Dreams
SIDE B
- Jealous Lover
- Can’t Happen Here
- Tearin’ Out My Heart
- Since You Been Gone
- Bad Girl
SIDE C
- Difficult To Cure
- Stone Cold
- Power
SIDE D
- Man On The Silver Mountain
- Long Live Rock ’n’ Roll
- Weiss Heim
Total: 15 tracks across four vinyl sides.
The anniversary tracklist differs from some previous editions of Finyl Vinyl, so collectors should check the specific edition when comparing releases.
🎸 THE RIFF REPORT ALBUM REVIEW
🔥 First Impressions – Three Rainbow Eras In One Collection
Finyl Vinyl occupies an interesting place in Rainbow’s catalogue.
It’s not a conventional live album recorded during one concert.
Instead, it’s a collection bringing together material from different stages of the band’s career.
That gives it a different identity from classic live albums such as On Stage.
The appeal is the variety.
You have the melodic hard rock associated with Joe Lynn Turner.
The chart-friendly material from Graham Bonnet’s era.
And the heavier, more dramatic music that helped establish Rainbow during the Ronnie James Dio years.
There’s also the opportunity to hear material that didn’t originally appear on the band’s principal studio albums.
For listeners interested in Rainbow’s history, that makes the collection particularly valuable.
This review examines the established recordings, compositions and historical importance of the album. The new 40th anniversary remaster has not been independently auditioned for this article, so its precise sonic improvements cannot yet be judged.
🎸 Guitar Work – Ritchie Blackmore At The Centre Of Everything
One thing remained constant throughout Rainbow’s original career.
Ritchie Blackmore’s guitar playing.
Even as the band’s sound changed, his distinctive style continued to define the music.
The collection offers several examples of his versatility.
“Spotlight Kid” represents Rainbow’s more energetic hard rock direction.
“I Surrender” demonstrates how Blackmore could combine melodic guitar work with a commercially accessible arrangement.
And “Man On The Silver Mountain” returns listeners to the riff-driven sound of Rainbow’s earliest period.
But Blackmore’s playing wasn’t simply about speed.
His use of phrasing, dynamics and melodic ideas helped establish his reputation.
He could make a guitar solo feel like a separate composition within a song.
And his classical influences gave Rainbow a musical character that distinguished them from many of their contemporaries.
🎸 Guitar Verdict
A collection that demonstrates why Blackmore remains one of hard rock’s most influential guitarists.
🎤 Vocals – Three Legends, Three Different Rainbow Sounds
The vocal performances are among the most fascinating aspects of Rainbow’s history.
Ronnie James Dio brought theatrical intensity and extraordinary power.
Graham Bonnet introduced a direct, commanding hard rock delivery.
Joe Lynn Turner provided a smoother, melodic approach suited to the band’s later material.
Each vocalist helped shape a different version of Rainbow.
And that’s what makes the collection interesting.
It doesn’t present one unchanging musical identity.
It demonstrates how the band evolved.
For new listeners, the contrast between the different eras provides an introduction to Rainbow’s remarkable history.
For established fans, it’s a reminder of how many outstanding musicians passed through Blackmore’s band.
🎤 Vocal Verdict
Three distinctive voices, each representing an important chapter in Rainbow’s legacy.
🥁 Bass, Drums And Keyboards – The Musicians Behind The Magic
Rainbow’s reputation often centres on Blackmore and the band’s vocalists.
But the musicians supporting them were equally important.
Over the years, the band featured an extraordinary collection of instrumental talent.
Cozy Powell became particularly associated with Rainbow’s powerful early rhythm section.
His drumming helped give songs such as “Stargazer” and “Kill The King” their enormous impact.
Keyboardist Tony Carey contributed to the band’s dramatic 1970s sound.
Later musicians, including Don Airey, David Rosenthal, Roger Glover and Chuck Burgi, helped shape subsequent line-ups.
Roger Glover’s bass playing and production work were particularly important during Rainbow’s more commercially successful years.
And the keyboards often provided the harmonic depth that allowed Blackmore’s guitar arrangements to develop.
Rainbow were never simply a guitarist and a singer.
They were a collection of highly accomplished musicians whose contributions helped create some of hard rock’s most memorable recordings.
🎚️ Production And Remastering – Can Forty Years Make A Difference?
One of the main selling points of the anniversary edition is its remastered audio.
Remastering older recordings can produce worthwhile improvements.
Depending on the quality of the original tapes and the mastering decisions, engineers may be able to improve tonal balance, reduce unwanted noise and reveal details that were less apparent on previous editions.
But remastering isn’t automatically an improvement.
Excessive compression can reduce dynamic range.
Aggressive equalisation can alter the character of familiar recordings.
And removing too much noise can sometimes affect the natural atmosphere of live performances.
Joe Lynn Turner’s comments suggest that the intention behind this edition is to provide improved clarity while retaining the original live character.
That’s an encouraging objective.
However, a meaningful verdict requires a direct comparison between the new remaster and earlier editions.
Until that comparison is possible, the claimed improvements should be treated as part of the release’s promotional description rather than an independently verified listening conclusion.
🎵 Track-By-Track Review And Commentary
1. Spotlight Kid
Originally appearing on Difficult To Cure, “Spotlight Kid” represents Rainbow’s energetic early-1980s sound.
It’s an appropriate opening choice for a collection celebrating the band’s live performances.
2. I Surrender
One of Rainbow’s biggest commercial successes.
Written by Russ Ballard, “I Surrender” became a major hit in 1981.
The song demonstrates the band’s ability to combine hard rock instrumentation with an accessible melodic chorus.
3. Miss Mistreated
Taken from the Straight Between The Eyes era, “Miss Mistreated” represents the more direct hard rock approach associated with Joe Lynn Turner.
Its inclusion adds another dimension to the collection’s early-1980s material.
4. Street Of Dreams
Originally released on Bent Out Of Shape in 1983, “Street Of Dreams” became one of Rainbow’s best-known melodic rock songs.
It’s an important example of the band’s later musical direction.
5. Jealous Lover
A notable Rainbow rarity, “Jealous Lover” originally appeared as a non-album track in 1981.
Its inclusion is particularly interesting for listeners exploring material beyond the band’s principal studio albums.
6. Can’t Happen Here
Another track from Difficult To Cure.
“Can’t Happen Here” reflects Rainbow’s more direct early-1980s approach and remains an important part of the Joe Lynn Turner era.
7. Tearin’ Out My Heart
Originally appearing on Straight Between The Eyes, this song demonstrates the more emotional and melodic side of Rainbow’s songwriting.
8. Since You Been Gone
One of the band’s most recognisable recordings.
Written by Russ Ballard and made famous by Rainbow with Graham Bonnet on vocals, “Since You Been Gone” remains a classic example of late-1970s melodic hard rock.
Its inclusion provides an important connection to the Down To Earth era.
9. Bad Girl
A non-album studio recording associated with the Graham Bonnet period.
Its inclusion gives collectors another opportunity to explore material beyond Rainbow’s principal studio albums.
10. Difficult To Cure
One of Rainbow’s most interesting instrumental compositions.
Based on Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, “Difficult To Cure” demonstrates Blackmore’s long-standing interest in classical music.
It also highlights the band’s willingness to experiment beyond conventional hard rock songwriting.
11. Stone Cold
Originally appearing on Straight Between The Eyes, “Stone Cold” became one of Rainbow’s most successful American rock radio songs.
Its melodic character represents an important aspect of the band’s later sound.
12. Power
Another song from Straight Between The Eyes.
“Power” reinforces the collection’s emphasis on Rainbow’s early-1980s repertoire.
13. Man On The Silver Mountain
One of the songs that started everything.
Originally released on Rainbow’s 1975 debut album, “Man On The Silver Mountain” remains one of Blackmore and Dio’s defining collaborations.
Its central guitar riff helped establish the band’s identity.
14. Long Live Rock ’n’ Roll
The title track from Rainbow’s 1978 album remains one of the band’s great rock anthems.
It’s a celebration of the music itself.
And four decades after Finyl Vinyl first appeared, its message remains wonderfully appropriate.
15. Weiss Heim
The collection closes with an instrumental composition.
“Weiss Heim” demonstrates another side of Blackmore’s musical interests.
Rather than ending with a conventional rock anthem, the album concludes with a more reflective piece.
It’s an interesting choice that highlights Rainbow’s musical range.
🔥 Standout Tracks
🎸 Man On The Silver Mountain
An essential Rainbow composition and one of the defining riffs of the band’s early career.
🌈 Long Live Rock ’n’ Roll
A classic hard rock anthem that captures the spirit of Rainbow’s Ronnie James Dio era.
🎤 Since You Been Gone
An irresistible example of the band’s ability to deliver memorable melodic rock.
🎹 Difficult To Cure
A fascinating instrumental arrangement demonstrating Blackmore’s classical influences.
🖤 Stone Cold
One of the strongest examples of Rainbow’s melodic early-1980s sound.
🤘 The Riff Report Verdict
Finyl Vinyl remains an important release because it documents several different versions of Rainbow.
It’s not necessarily the ideal starting point for someone wanting to experience one particular line-up.
For that, the original studio albums and dedicated live releases provide a more focused listening experience.
But as a collection celebrating Rainbow’s evolution, it has considerable historical appeal.
The combination of live performances, rare recordings and songs from different eras creates an interesting overview of the band’s original career.
The 40th anniversary edition adds collector-focused packaging, expanded liner notes and contributions from musicians who helped create the music.
Those additions make it particularly appealing to established fans.
The biggest unanswered question is the quality of the new remaster.
A direct listening comparison will be necessary before judging whether the anniversary edition offers a meaningful sonic improvement.
⭐ The Riff Report Rating
Original Collection: ★★★★☆ – 4/5
40th Anniversary Remaster: Pending Listening Assessment
The four-star editorial rating reflects the original collection’s repertoire, historical significance and overall concept, rather than a fresh assessment of the new remastered audio.
🎧 Recommended For
Fans of Rainbow, Deep Purple, Ronnie James Dio, Ritchie Blackmore, classic hard rock and collectors of historic live recordings.
💰 Is The Anniversary Edition Worth Buying?
For established Rainbow collectors, the anniversary edition has several attractions.
The remastered presentation offers the possibility of improved audio.
The coloured heavyweight vinyl and gatefold packaging provide a premium physical format.
And the expanded liner notes offer additional historical context.
The signed Graham Bonnet bundle is particularly appealing for collectors interested in memorabilia.
However, the edition’s value will depend on its final selling price, availability and the quality of the remaster.
Fans who already own Finyl Vinyl may want to compare the new release with their existing copies before purchasing.
Meanwhile, listeners discovering Rainbow for the first time might prefer to begin with Rising, Long Live Rock ’n’ Roll or Down To Earth before exploring this compilation.
For serious collectors, though, a limited anniversary edition of an important Rainbow release is certainly worth considering.
🛒 How To Pre-Order Rainbow’s ‘Finyl Vinyl’ 40th Anniversary Edition
The anniversary edition is available to pre-order through Deko Entertainment.
Fans can explore the vinyl, CD and signed bundle options on the official release page.
Official Pre-Order Website:
Availability may change, particularly for the limited signed bundles.
Collectors should check the official store for current pricing, shipping information and delivery dates.
🎸 The Riff Report Says…
Forty years later, Rainbow are still reminding everyone why Ritchie Blackmore belongs in the conversation about rock’s greatest guitarists.
And Finyl Vinyl is a fascinating reminder of the band’s extraordinary history.
Three iconic vocalists.
A constantly evolving musical direction.
And a collection of songs that helped define classic hard rock.
Ronnie James Dio brought the fantasy and thunder.
Graham Bonnet brought the power and chart success.
Joe Lynn Turner brought the melodic arena rock.
And through it all, Ritchie Blackmore remained the driving creative force.
What makes this anniversary edition particularly appealing is the opportunity to revisit those different eras together.
It’s also encouraging to see Joe Lynn Turner, Graham Bonnet and Chuck Burgi contributing their memories.
Their reflections provide a personal connection to the music.
And the involvement of Martin Popoff should give collectors additional historical context.
Of course, we’re particularly interested in hearing how the new remaster compares with previous editions.
Because when you’re dealing with recordings this important, preserving their original character matters.
But even without hearing the new mastering, there’s no denying the significance of the music itself.
Rainbow helped establish the foundations of modern heavy metal.
They demonstrated how classical influences could be incorporated into hard rock.
And they produced songs that continue to inspire musicians around the world.
From the towering drama of “Man On The Silver Mountain” to the melodic brilliance of “Stone Cold”, their catalogue remains extraordinary.
Forty years after Finyl Vinyl first appeared, the music is still doing exactly what great rock music should.
Making people turn the volume up.
And as Ronnie James Dio once sang:
LONG LIVE ROCK ’N’ ROLL! 🌈🤘🔥
💿 RAINBOW – ‘FINYL VINYL’ 40TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
Artist: Rainbow
Album: Finyl Vinyl
Original Release: 1986
Anniversary: 40 Years
Label: Deko Entertainment
Formats: 180g Coloured Double Vinyl / Six-Panel Digipak CD
Vinyl Packaging: Gatefold Sleeve
Limited Edition: 1,000 Copies Worldwide
Signed Bundle: Limited To 100
Signed Artist: Graham Bonnet
Liner Notes: Martin Popoff
Additional Contributions: Joe Lynn Turner And Graham Bonnet
Featured Musicians: Ritchie Blackmore, Ronnie James Dio, Graham Bonnet, Joe Lynn Turner And Others
🌐 Official Pre-Order Link
🎸 THE RIFF REPORT BLOG
Music Journalism With Boots At The Barricade. 🐉🤘🔥
