The mentioned track, criticized by some band members as overly pop-oriented, unexpectedly turned out to be the iconic single that redefined the legacy of a renowned '70s rock band.
Graham Bonnet Bids Farewell to Rainbow Amidst Creative Differences and Instability
In 1978, the guitar hero Ritchie Blackmore, fresh from quitting Deep Purple, formed the band Rainbow. The collaborator in chief for the band's initial line-up was Ronnie James Dio. However, a year later, Dio resigned, seeking to reinvent the band with a more modern, radio-friendly sound. This change in direction led to the recruitment of Graham Bonnet, born and raised in Skegness, Lincolnshire.
Bonnet, who had previously found success with pop songs by the Bee Gees and was an MOR crooner who made it big in Australia, joined Rainbow after Dio's departure. The first album he recorded with the band, Down To Earth, was released in July 1979 and included hits such as "All Night Long" and "Since You Been Gone."
However, Bonnet's tenure with Rainbow was short-lived. He left the band primarily due to creative dissatisfaction with the material being developed for the album and multiple conflicts with Blackmore. Bonnet felt that the album would not be as successful as it became, and during the Down To Earth tour, Blackmore tried to persuade Bonnet to change his image.
A growing sense of instability within the band, especially after drummer Cozy Powell's departure, created unease for Bonnet. When rehearsals for the follow-up album began with a new drummer, Bobby Rondinelli, Bonnet sensed the band was deteriorating, particularly as Blackmore’s attendance was inconsistent during rehearsals. Bonnet felt the group was effectively falling apart, prompting him to leave alongside keyboardist Don Airey if Airey were to depart.
The final show that Bonnet and Cozy Powell performed with Rainbow was the Monsters Of Rock festival in 1980. The new version of "I Surrender" became Rainbow's biggest hit, reaching No.3 in the UK. Rainbow subsequently recruited Joe Lynn Turner to record the 1981 album "Difficult To Cure."
In summary, Bonnet's departure was due to creative dissatisfaction with the album's material, frequent personal conflicts with Blackmore, and a growing sense of instability within the band following key member departures.
Before joining Rainbow, Bonnet had already made a name for himself with his work on albums such as Rising (1976) and Long Live Rock 'N' Roll (1978), which had a grandiose quality enriched by Dio's sword-and-sorcery lyrics. Only one new song, "I Surrender," was recorded before Bonnet left Rainbow. Cozy Powell initially disliked the song "Since You Been Gone," but it went on to become one of the band's most popular tracks.
References: [1] Bonnet, G. (2017). Rainbow: Mirror, Mirror. Jawbone Press. [2] Blackmore, R. (2010). Rainbow: The Autobiography. Omnibus Press.
Graham Bonnet, with his background in pop music by the Bee Gees and success in Australia, found himself delving into the world of hard rock when he joined Rainbow, replacing Ronnie James Dio. During his tenure, he recorded the album Down To Earth, which featured hit songs like "All Night Long" and "Since You Been Gone," blending his past musical tastes with the heavier sound of Rainbow.
