Kill the King

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as The Zoo Crew spins "Kill the King" by Rainbow from their iconic album Long Live Rock 'n' Roll! This high-energy track, released in 1978, is a proto-metal masterpiece that helped shape the speed and power metal genres. Despite its fierce title and aggressive lyrics, lead singer Ronnie James Dio once revealed in an interview that the song is actually about a chess game, with lines like "Danger, danger, the queen's about to kill" and "I'm no pawn, so be gone, speed on and on" reflecting strategic moves on the board. This surprising twist adds a layer of cleverness to the song's medieval vibe, which Dio explained was meant to evoke a revolution against a tyrant, cleverly disguised as a game. Songfacts notes that the track was Rainbow's debut in the UK singles chart, hitting #44 in 1977, and after the band’s later hits, it was re-released in 1981, climbing to #41.

Another wild story about "Kill the King" surfaced in 2023 when Welsh politician Dave Jones inadvertently stirred controversy by sharing the song on his personal Facebook page just days after King Charles III’s coronation. According to Louder, Jones paired the track with a photo of Conwy Castle, intending to reference Edward I, who built the castle, not the modern monarchy. The post, featuring lyrics like "Kill the king, tear him down," was misunderstood, sparking outrage among some royalists until Jones clarified it was a historical nod. This incident highlights the song’s enduring ability to provoke, even decades later. Posts on X also celebrate its live performance in Munich in 1977, months before the album’s release, showcasing its raw power as a concert opener since 1976, as noted in Rainbow’s On Stage live album.

Rainbow was formed in 1975 by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, a rock legend who left Deep Purple to pursue his own vision. Blackmore, born in Weston-super-Mare, England, in 1945, started playing guitar at age 11, inspired by skiffle and early rock ‘n’ roll. His technical prowess and classical influences, honed through session work and joining Deep Purple in 1968, set the stage for Rainbow. After growing frustrated with Deep Purple’s direction, Blackmore met Ronnie James Dio, then frontman of the American band Elf, in 1974. Impressed by Dio’s powerful voice, Blackmore recruited him and other Elf members to record Rainbow’s debut album, Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, in 1975. The band’s early work, blending mystical lyrics with hard rock and heavy metal, quickly gained a cult following, with Dio’s fantasy-themed storytelling defining their sound until his departure in 1979 to join Black Sabbath.

While Rainbow doesn’t maintain an official website or active social media presence today, fans keep the flame alive online. The band’s legacy is preserved through the fan-driven Rainbow Fanclan Legacy, a comprehensive site packed with discographies, tour histories, and news. On Facebook, groups like Rainbow (Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow) connect thousands of Zoo Freaks worldwide, sharing rare photos and concert memories. Blackmore’s current project, Blackmore’s Night, has an official site and active Facebook and Instagram accounts, where he and his wife, Candice Night, occasionally nod to Rainbow’s classics like “Rainbow Eyes.” For the latest fan chatter, check X for posts about Rainbow’s influence and covers by bands like Metallica and Stratovarius, who’ve paid homage to “Kill the King.”