In my personal opinion, it should be Rainbow that is inducted, not only Ritchie Blackmore. Ronnie James Dio (R.I.P.) and Cozy Powell have drawn influences also, but they were both the most successful with Rainbow rather than their later careers.
Rainbow also had some, but key influences of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Even though there has been a lot of turnover during the band (Jimmy Bain, Bob Daisley and Tony Carey only lasted one album), I still think the Long Live Rock and Roll, and Rising lineups plus Graham Bonnet and Joe Lynn Turner should all be included as well.

Posted by DioFan on Friday, 01/24/2014 @ 02:46am

RIP Jimmy Bain

Posted by Roy on Sunday, 01/24/2016 @ 19:11pm

There has not been a post on Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow for 3 years, and I was kind of curious as to what sort of opinions or viewpoints that FRL users may have on the band. With 3 intense, heavy and electrifying albums with Dio, Cozy Powell, Blackmore, Airey and others. And 3 more with Bonnet, and Turner, they definitely left a major footprint in the Rock world. I would think they would be in for discussion for a potential future nomination.

Posted by Will N. on Sunday, 01/20/2019 @ 22:51pm

Rainbow was a force. Man on the silver mountain, Rising, Long live rock n roll, Down to Earth, did not have one weak track.
Hall of fame is a joke. Stargazer is a masterpiece!

Posted by Marco Mazzoni on Friday, 04/23/2021 @ 23:21pm

Ritchie Blackmore got inducted with an band that had the most influence & considering the fact that it took DP a long time to get in, then i don't see Rainbow being nominated let alone inducted. Besides Blackmore shouldn't be one of them seeking a second induction (that's pretty much goes to all DP members past & present.) so that Ronnie James Dio could be inducted. Maybe Dio should receive a Musical Excellence Award.

Posted by Navonte Robertson on Monday, 07/5/2021 @ 14:53pm

They should be in for Rising alone. Enough said.

Posted by JDL on Sunday, 08/8/2021 @ 17:40pm

Listening to this band for the first time. I'm listening to the album Difficult to Cure. Track 2 Spotlight Kid has some cool wacky synths!

Posted by Cool Hand Luke on Monday, 01/2/2023 @ 06:55am

Inducting Deep Purple is enough.

Posted by power on Monday, 10/16/2023 @ 11:11am

Rainbow was a band that was so far ahead of it's time. Both Man on a Silver Mountain and Stargazer or masterpieces of music. Ronnie James Dio had an amazing voice one of the top original metal singers (easy top three). Ritchie Blackmore was perhaps the first technical shredder style guitar players.

The Hall should REALLY consider their body of work and get this band in.

Posted by ADG on Tuesday, 06/11/2024 @ 02:52am

Stone Cold and Street of Dreams should be an essential songs

Posted by Brian on Saturday, 03/14/2026 @ 08:06am