What’s up on the bill today? Haha ha ha…I have to laugh a little.  Rainbow – Since You Been Gone

It’s hard to find a band that went through more band members that Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow. To me, it’s sometimes hard to believe that Ritchie Blackmore was even a part of this band at times. The band went into almost as many musical directions as it did members. It all depended on the era and lineup. The early years leaned toward classic metal. The later years? Ha! Total Pop, which is exactly what this song is.

The song was originally recorded by the band Head East, and it was a far more inferior version, in my opinion. ( Head East – Since You Been Gone Listen for yourself. I’m pretty sure you’ll agree.) Rainbow’s version was far grittier with a solid hard rock intro that doesn’t puss out like the Head East version. Let’s face it. It was sung better too. All who remember this song can still hear vocalist-at-the-time Graham Bonnet’s grunt after the mellowesque breakdown in the middle. This version is the one I hear covered most often by bar bands, and, in a way, this song totally holds up after all these years as just a good, fun rock tune. By the way…is it me, or does Graham Bonnet look like the bastard love child of Freddie Mercury and Denis Leary????