RAINBOW - LONG LIVE ROCK AND ROLL 12" Vinyl LP Album

- German Release with Catalognr: 2929 097

Alright, gather 'round, rock enthusiasts! Today, we're diving into Rainbow's "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll," a right proper sonic feast from 1978. It's the album that dared to say "Oi! Punk, you're not taking over just yet!" while serving up a platter of face-melting riffs and soaring vocals. Think Ritchie Blackmore channeling his inner guitar god, Ronnie James Dio hitting notes that'd shatter a pint glass, and Cozy Powell hammering the drums like he's got a vendetta against silence. So, put the kettle on, grab your air guitar, and let's crank this bad boy up!

 

High Resolution Photos of rainbow long live rock roll 2929 097

Rainbow's 'Long Live Rock 'n' Roll' - A Thunderous Roar in the Face of Punk
Album Description:

In the tumultuous landscape of late 1970s rock, where punk's snarling rebellion threatened to topple the old guard, Rainbow's 'Long Live Rock 'n' Roll' stood defiant. Released in 1978 on the German Polydor label (catalog number 2929 097), this 12" vinyl LP wasn't just an album; it was a battle cry, a thunderous declaration that the spirit of rock 'n' roll was far from extinguished.

Rainbow, the brainchild of ex-Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, had always been a band straddling the line between hard rock and heavy metal. With 'Long Live Rock 'n' Roll,' they embraced their heavier side, delivering a blistering collection of songs that showcased their technical prowess and unbridled energy.

The album's title track, a fist-pumping anthem that became a staple of their live shows, captured the essence of their mission. Blackmore's guitar riffs were a force of nature, Ronnie James Dio's vocals soared with operatic power, and Cozy Powell's drumming was a relentless assault. It was a song that dared you not to headbang, a defiant roar in the face of punk's nihilism.

But 'Long Live Rock 'n' Roll' was more than just a one-dimensional metal onslaught. The album showcased Rainbow's musical range, from the epic balladry of "Gates of Babylon" to the bluesy swagger of "Kill the King." Blackmore's neoclassical influences shone through on tracks like "Rainbow Eyes," adding a touch of sophistication to their hard-hitting sound.

The album wasn't without its controversies. Dio's lyrics, steeped in fantasy and mythology, drew criticism from some quarters for their perceived escapism. But for others, they provided a welcome escape from the bleak realities of the late '70s.

Produced by Martin Birch, known for his work with Deep Purple and Iron Maiden, 'Long Live Rock 'n' Roll' was recorded at Musicland Studios in Munich, Germany. Birch's expertise helped capture the raw power of Rainbow's live performances, while also ensuring a polished, radio-friendly sound.

In the end, 'Long Live Rock 'n' Roll' was more than just an album. It was a statement of purpose, a reminder that rock 'n' roll was still a vital force, capable of inspiring and thrilling audiences. It may not have converted the punk faithful, but for those who still believed in the power of the riff, it was a beacon of hope in a changing musical landscape.

Rainbow's 'Long Live Rock 'n' Roll' wasn't just an album; it was a declaration of war, a thunderous affirmation that the spirit of rock 'n' roll was alive and well. It may not have changed the course of music history, but it left an indelible mark on those who dared to crank it up to 11.

Music Genre:

British Hard Rock 

Album Production Information:

The album: "RAINBOW - Long Live Rock and Roll 2929 097" was produced by: Martin Birch, Bruce Payne

Album cover illustration: Debbie Hall

  • Martin Birch – Producer, Sound Engineer

    I first noticed Martin Birch on those early Iron Maiden sleeves—the ones with the typography that felt like a threat. At twelve, I didn’t care about "production value"; I just liked that the guitars didn't sound like mud. He was the man behind the sound mixer, the one who made the snare snap like a dry branch in a cold forest. He was "The Headmaster," and we were all just students of his high-voltage curriculum.

    Birch didn’t just record noise; he organized aggression. By 1972, he was already wrangling the messy brilliance of Deep Purple’s Machine Head, turning Ian Gillan’s banshee wails into something that didn't just clip the tape but lived inside it. In 1980, he pulled off the ultimate renovation, giving Black Sabbath a much-needed shower and a new spine. Heaven and Hell shouldn't have worked, but Martin polished that Birmingham sludge into something operatic and gleaming. It was a pivot that felt like fate, mostly because he refused to let the mid-range get lazy.

    Then came the long, obsessive stretch with Iron Maiden from 1981 to 1992. It was a twelve-year marriage to the fader. From the moment Killers (EMC 3357, for those who care) hit the shelves, the sound was physical. He knew how to let Steve Harris’s bass clatter like a machine gun without drowning out the melody—a sonic miracle that still feels fresh. You can almost smell the ozone and the dust on the Marshall stacks when the needle drops on The Number of the Beast. He stayed until Fear of the Dark, then simply walked away. No victory lap, no bloated memoir. He preferred the hum of the desk to the noise of the crowd, leaving us with nothing but the records and a slight sense of abandonment. But then, when you’ve already captured lightning on tape for twenty years, why bother hanging around for the rain?

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    Record Label & Catalognr:

    Polydor 2929 097

    Album Packaging:

    This album "RAINBOW - Long Live Rock and Roll 2929 097" Roll" is the third studio album released by Rainbow, released in 1978.

    Media Format:

    12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record

    Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram

    Year & Country:

    1978 Made in West Germany
    Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: RAINBOW - Long Live Rock and Roll 2929 097
      Band-members, Musicians and Performers
    • Ritchie Blackmore
    • Ritchie Blackmore – Guitarist, Songwriter

      The guy who made the guitar sound both medieval and radioactive, often in the same solo.

      Ritchie Blackmore is the sort of name I see on a sleeve and instantly expect sparks: born Richard Hugh Blackmore (1945), he’s an English guitarist who helped hard-rock riffing grow teeth and then politely refused to stop. His era-stamps are basically whole chapters of rock history: Deep Purple (1968–1975, 1984–1993), where the riffs got louder, sharper, and more dramatic; Rainbow (1975–1984, 1993–1997), where he leaned into melody and fantasy like it was a weapon; and Blackmore’s Night (1997–present), where the electric storm calms down into Renaissance-folk textures without losing that unmistakable Blackmore touch. I love that arc: from amp-stacks and arena thunder to lutes-and-candles vibes, like he just swapped dragons for different dragons.

      "Blackmore Signature Strats" I’ve spent too many nights chasing that Blackmore chime. Fender’s Artist Series Strat is a love letter to his ‘70s obsession—Olympic White with a graduated scalloped rosewood board that makes your fingers feel like they’re floating. The electronics are pure Ritchie logic: two Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounds for the bite and a dummy middle pickup. It’s a prop, a plastic decoy for us mortals. Then there’s the Fender Japan ST72-145RB. MIJ builds have a surgical precision, keeping the ‘72 vibe alive for the obsessive collector. We hunt these like lost relics, justifying the cost because a standard neck feels one-dimensional by comparison. It’s a specialized tool for a very specific kind of madness. But then, isn't that the whole point?

    • Ronnie James Dio - Vocals
    • Ronnie James DIO – Vocals

      DIO is straight-up one of my all-time favorite hard rock and heavy metal singers. I clock him as a once-in-a-generation voice: pure power, ridiculous control, and that storyteller energy that makes metal feel like a myth you can actually hold in your hands

      I always track his timeline like chapters I keep re-reading: Elf (1967–1975) where he sharpened the blues-rock grit, Rainbow (1975–1979) where the fantasy thunder really took off, Black Sabbath (1979–1982, 1991–1992) where he helped reboot the doom machine, Dio (1982–2010) where he built his own kingdom, and Heaven & Hell (2006–2010) where the classics came roaring back live.

      Ronnie James Dio, I don’t just hear a singer here — I hear a frontman who could make a chorus feel like a battle standard and a quiet line feel like a warning whispered in a cathedral. When he lit the fuse in Rainbow on “Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow” and especially “Rising” (yeah, that one), it was all high drama and sharpened melody. When he walked into Black Sabbath and dropped “ Heaven and Hell ” and “Mob Rules,” he didn’t “replace” anyone — he gave the band a whole second spine. And when he planted the flag with Dio on “Holy Diver” and “The Last in Line” (and later “Sacred Heart” for the big-chorus arena punch), the signature stayed the same: massive hooks, bigger conviction, and that unmistakable “this matters” intensity that makes you sit up like the record just called your name. Ronnie James Dio Wiki

    • Cozy Powell
    • Cozy Powell – Drums

      Cozy Powell is the kind of drummer I file under “human avalanche”: big hands, bigger feel, and a groove that hits like a freight train in leather pants.

      Cozy Powell, for me, is the textbook example of “power that still swings”—he can be thunderous without turning stiff, flashy without turning messy, and he always leaves space for the riff to breathe. When I hear him, I hear commitment: the snare cracks, the toms roll like incoming weather, and the whole band suddenly sounds like it got upgraded to arena mode. Timeline-wise, I always map his career in loud chapters—The Jeff Beck Group (1970–1972), Rainbow (1975–1980), Michael Schenker Group (1980–1982), Whitesnake (1982–1985), Emerson, Lake & Powell (1985–1986), Black Sabbath (1988–1991, 1994–1995), and the Brian May Band (1991–1992, 1993–1994, 1998).

    • Bob Daisley
      Explore the extraordinary career of Bob Daisley, the bass maestro behind some of heavy metal's most iconic albums. From his groundbreaking work with Ozzy Osbourne to collaborations with Rainbow, Uriah Heep, and more, discover the stories, the riffs, and the enduring legacy of a true rock legend.
    • David Stone

        David Stone (Birth-name: Michael David Stoyanoff ) an English keyboardist and pianist who is best known for his work with the legendary rock band Rainbow. He joined Rainbow in 1981 and appeared on their album "Difficult to Cure." Stone was with the band for three years and performed on several tours with them.

       Before joining Rainbow, Stone was a session musician and worked with several notable artists, including The Alan Parsons Project, Kate Bush, and Gary Moore. He has also released several solo albums and continues to perform and record music.

       As a keyboardist, Stone is known for his versatility and dynamic playing style, which combines classical, jazz, and rock influences. He has received critical acclaim for his work with Rainbow and is regarded as one of the best keyboardists in the rock genre.

       Overall, David Stone is an accomplished musician with a long and varied career in the music industry. He continues to be a respected and sought-after performer and has made a significant impact on the rock music world.

    Complete Track-listing of the album "RAINBOW - Long Live Rock and Roll 2929 097"

    The detailed tracklist of this record "RAINBOW - Long Live Rock and Roll 2929 097" is:

      Side One:
    • Long Live Rock and Roll
    • Lady of the Lake
    • L.A. Connection
    • Gates of Babylon
     
      Side Two:
    • Kill the King
    • The Shed (Subtle)
    • Sensitive to Light
    • Rainbow Eyes

    High Resolution Photos of rainbow long live rock roll 2929 097  

    High Resolution Photos of rainbow long live rock roll 2929 097  

     

    High Resolution Photos of rainbow long live rock roll 2929 097    

     Note: The photos on this page are of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone ).

    Index of RAINBOW with RITCHIE BLACKMORE Vinyl Records and Album Gallery

    RAINBOW - Best of Rainbow album front cover vinyl record
    RAINBOW - Best of Rainbow

    "Rainbow Best of Rainbow" is a compilation album by the British rock band Rainbow, which was released in 1981. It features some of Rainbow's most popular and well-known tracks from their first six studio albums

    Best of Rainbow 12" Vinyl LP
    RAINBOW - Bent Out of Shape (French & German Releases)  album front cover vinyl record
    RAINBOW - Bent Out of Shape (French & German Releases)

    "Bent Out of Shape," a final studio album pre-Deep Purple reunion, marked a pivotal moment in the band's history. Released on vinyl LP in Germany, it showcased Ritchie Blackmore and Roger Glover before their return to Deep Purple.

    - Bent Out of Shape (1983, France) - Bent Out of Shape (1983, Germany)
    RAINBOW - Difficult to Cure album front cover vinyl record
    RAINBOW - Difficult to Cure 12" Vinyl LP

    Rainbow's fifth studio album, "Difficult to Cure" (1981), marked a pivotal moment in the band's evolution. Led by Ritchie Blackmore and featuring Joe Lynn Turner, the album blended hard rock with classical influences

    Difficult to Cure
    RAINBOW - Down To Earth album front cover vinyl record
    RAINBOW - Down To Earth

    "Down To Earth" album is a timeless classic that showcases the band's exceptional talent and musical prowess. With its memorable songs, exceptional performances, and the added visual element of the 12" photo insert/leaflet

    Down To Earth 12" Vinyl LP
    RAINBOW - Finyl Vinyl album front cover vinyl record
    RAINBOW - Finyl Vinyl

    "Final Vinyl" is a collection of live recordings and B-sides by Rainbow and was released in 1986, after the band had already ceased to be when Blackmore and Glover were part of the Deep Purple reformation.

    Finyl Vinyl 12" Vinyl LP
    RAINBOW - Long Live Rock 'n' Roll ( Netherlands, German and West-German Releases )  album front cover vinyl record
    RAINBOW - Long Live Rock 'n' Roll ( Netherlands, German and West-German Releases )

    "Long Live Rock and Roll," released on 9 April 1978, represents a pivotal moment in rock history. The collaboration between Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio produced a groundbreaking album

    - Long Live Rock 'n' Roll (1978, Germany) - Long Live Rock 'n' Roll ( 1978 , Netherlands ) - Long Live Rock 'n' Roll (1978, West-Germany)
    Updated RAINBOW - On Stage album front cover vinyl LP album https://vinyl-records.nl

    The night Rainbow turned volume, fire, and ego into hard-rock canon

    RAINBOW - On Stage

    “Rainbow - On Stage” captures the band at peak power in 1977, when hard rock meant long solos, big drama, and zero restraint. Recorded live while “Rising” still ruled the racks, this double LP lets the songs stretch, burn, and roar. Dio dominates the stage, Blackmore lets riffs wander and bite, and the crowd fuels every climax. No studio safety net here—just loud amps, heavy grooves, and pure late-70s arena thunder.

    RAINBOW - Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow album front cover vinyl record
    RAINBOW - Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow

    “Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow” sounds like thunder trapped in crystal. It’s a 1975 time capsule where hard rock meets myth, led by Blackmore’s lyrical guitar and Dio’s commanding voice. Tracks like “Man on the Silver Mountain” and “Catch the Rainbow” feel born from the same storm—part medieval vision, part amplifier fury. A debut as confident as it is otherworldly.

    RAINBOW - Rising (Austria, German and USA Releases) album front cover vinyl record
    RAINBOW - Rising (Austria, German and USA Releases) 12" Vinyl LP

    "Rising" is the 2nd heavy metal album by Rainbow, released in 1976 . With founder Ritchie Blackmore retaining only Ronnie James Dio from the previous album, Rising has become known as the best album of Rainbow's career

    - Rising (1976, Austria) - Rising (1976, Germany) - Rising (1978, USA)
    RAINBOW - Straight Between the Eyes (Three International Versions)  album front cover vinyl record
    RAINBOW - Straight Between the Eyes (Three International Versions)

    Released in 1982, Rainbow's "Straight Between the Eyes" is a hard rock album featuring vocalist Joe Lynn Turner. Backed by Ritchie Blackmore's guitar, the album blends strong vocals with melodic hard rock

    - Straight Between the Eyes (1982, Germany) - Straight Between the Eyes (1982, Netherlands) - Straight Between the Eyes (1981, UK)