Showing posts with label Dio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dio. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

"Give Me More Time" by Whitesnake

After departing Deep Purple, British rock vocalist David Coverdale formed a new band called Whitesnake in 1978. Whitesnake gradually built a following and struck success in the UK sooner than they did in the US.

Whitesnake first hit the US chart in 1980 when "Fool For Your Loving" from "Ready An' Willing" peaked at #53. They would re-record this song to have it chart again in 1989, at which time it reached #37. Surprisingly, Whitesnake failed to achieve a chart single from one of their finest albums, 1984's "Slide It In." 

But their next release was a self-titled affair designed for radio airplay. In 1987, Whitesnake became a household name with the smash hit "Here I Go Again," which hit #1 for one week. The song is another recycled tune from their 1982 record, "Saints & Sinners." They almost hit the top spot again with "Is This Love," which lingered at #2 for one week. It would become the last time they'd see the Top 10.

The band may be just as famous for its music videos from the 80s, which featured actress Tawny Kitaen, who was married to Coverdale from 1989-1992.

Whitesnake has endured one of the most complex personnel rosters in rock history, with Coverdale remaining the only real constant through them all. At one time or other, the band has included members of Jefferson Starship, Quiet Riot, Ratt, and Heart. Former Dio guitarist Vivian Campbell played with Whitesnake from 1987-88, then joined Def Leppard. He was replaced with Steve Vai, recruited from David Lee Roth's band.

Whitesnake continues to release new music with yet another lineup. In 2019, this incarnation of the band released the rather excellent "Flesh & Blood."

"Give Me More Time" is one of the early songs that should have helped Whitesnake strike at radio sooner than they did.


Wednesday, July 31, 2019

"Power" by Rainbow

Rainbow was a hard rock band with the constant of British guitar legend Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple. They've had several lead singers, most notably Ronnie James Dio and Joe Lynn Turner, and keyboard extraordinaire Tony Carey.

With Dio at the helm, the band had a darker and less melodic edge. They didn't score a chart hit until a new lead singer came aboard (Graham Bonnet), taking the Russ Ballard song "Since You Been Gone" to #57 in 1979. With the change to Joe Lynn Turner, the band scored their only top 40 hit: "Stone Cold" landed at #40 in 1982. Turner would produce one final charting single for the group when "Street Of Dreams" peaked at #60 in 1983.

"Power" comes from the Turner led album from 1982 called "Straight Between The Eyes."