Ariel

The song Ariel by Rainbow, featured on their 1995 album Stranger In Us All, holds a special place in the band’s history, and the Zoo Crew is spinning it for all the Zoo Freaks out there. One fascinating piece of trivia comes from Candice Night, who later became Ritchie Blackmore’s wife and musical partner. In a 2012 interview with Background Magazine, she revealed that Ariel was the first song she and Blackmore wrote together, marking the beginning of their creative collaboration. This enchanting track, running at 5 minutes and 39 seconds, was inspired by the mythological figure Ariel, often depicted as an angel or spirit. Blackmore viewed Night as an “enchantress” in the song, infusing it with a mystical and romantic vibe that resonates with the hippie spirit of the Zoo Crew’s playlist.

Another tidbit about Ariel is its live performance history. While Rainbow’s 1995 lineup, featuring vocalist Doogie White, performed the song during their tour, it also found a second life with Blackmore’s later project, Blackmore’s Night. During their 2007 Paris Moon tour, the song was reimagined in their folk-rock style, showcasing its versatility. Additionally, Doogie White performed Ariel with his band White Noise in 2004, captured in the live DVD In the Hall of the Mountain King. The song’s enduring appeal lies in its blend of hard rock and ethereal storytelling, making it a perfect fit for the eclectic Zoo Freaks tuning into THE ZOO.

Rainbow, the band behind Ariel, was founded by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, a rock legend known for his work with Deep Purple. Blackmore formed Rainbow in 1975 after leaving Deep Purple, seeking a platform to explore his vision of blending hard rock with classical and medieval influences. He recruited vocalist Ronnie James Dio and a rotating cast of talented musicians, kicking off the band with their debut album, Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, in 1975. The band’s early years were marked by iconic tracks like Man on the Silver Mountain and a sound that fused Blackmore’s virtuosic guitar work with Dio’s powerful vocals, setting the stage for their evolution through the decades.

Over the years, Rainbow underwent numerous lineup changes, with Blackmore as the constant driving force. By the time Stranger In Us All was released in 1995, the band featured a fresh lineup, including Doogie White on vocals, Greg Smith on bass, Paul Morris on keyboards, and John O’Reilly on drums. This album, originally intended as a Blackmore solo project, was Rainbow’s first studio effort in 12 years and marked Blackmore’s final rock recording for two decades before he revived Rainbow in 2016. The band’s ability to reinvent itself while staying true to its hard rock roots has kept it a favorite among fans, including those in the Rainbow Fanclub on Facebook.

For Zoo Freaks who want to dive deeper into Rainbow’s world, you can connect with the band through their official website or follow their legacy via Blackmore’s Night, as Ritchie Blackmore has focused on this project since the late 1990s. Social media presence for Rainbow is tied to Blackmore’s Night, with active accounts on Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also join the vibrant Rainbow Fanclub on Facebook, where enthusiasts share memories, rare photos, and updates about the band’s enduring legacy. While Rainbow doesn’t maintain an official X account, fan discussions thrive in groups like the fanclub, keeping the spirit of tracks like Ariel alive for listeners everywhere.