Light In The Black

The Zoo Crew is spinning the epic track "A Light in the Black" by Rainbow from their seminal 1976 album Rising, a favorite among Zoo Freaks tuning into THE ZOO. This song, closing out the album, is a high-octane sequel to the iconic "Stargazer," with lyrics by Ronnie James Dio that continue the mystical tale of a wizard’s downfall. According to photographer Raymond D'Addario, quoted in Jerry Bloom’s biography, the song’s creation was remarkably spontaneous. Dio would disappear with pen and paper, returning to nail his vocals in just a few takes, showcasing the band’s raw chemistry during their Munich sessions. Drummer Cozy Powell noted in the same biography that the band aimed to capture the music as quickly as possible, avoiding overproduction, which gives "A Light in the Black" its breathless, almost proto-speed metal energy. The track’s relentless pace and Ritchie Blackmore’s searing guitar riffs make it a standout, though it was dropped from live sets early in the 1976 tour, as noted on Wikipedia, perhaps due to its demanding intensity.

Another layer of trivia comes from the album’s production context. Recorded at Musicland Studios in February 1976, Rising was completed in under a month with producer Martin Birch, who later worked with Iron Maiden. Powell told Record Collector in 1996 that most tracks, including "A Light in the Black," were laid down in one or two takes with minimal overdubs, a testament to the band’s tight musicianship. The song’s eight-minute runtime, paired with its classical influences—Blackmore’s cello-inspired riffs are a nod to his fascination with the instrument—creates a cinematic finale to the album. Fans on the Rainbow Fanclan Legacy Facebook group often cite its relentless drive as a precursor to later heavy metal subgenres. The 2014 tribute album This Is Your Life, honoring Dio, included a Metallica medley featuring "A Light in the Black," underscoring its enduring influence in metal circles.

Rainbow was born from guitarist Ritchie Blackmore’s desire to break free from the constraints of Deep Purple, where he felt his creative vision was stifled. In 1975, after leaving Deep Purple, Blackmore teamed up with Ronnie James Dio and members of the American band Elf to record a solo single, "Black Sheep of the Family." The sessions, held at the Rainbow Bar and Grill in Los Angeles where Blackmore met Dio, sparked such chemistry that they expanded into a full album, Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, released in 1975. This marked the band’s official start, named after the iconic rock haunt. Blackmore soon overhauled the lineup, keeping only Dio and recruiting drummer Cozy Powell, bassist Jimmy Bain, and keyboardist Tony Carey for Rising. This lineup, often considered Rainbow’s definitive one, delivered a neoclassical metal sound that blended mystical lyrics with hard rock, setting the stage for the genre’s evolution. The band’s early years were marked by Blackmore’s relentless pursuit of his artistic ideal, leading to frequent lineup changes but cementing his legacy as a pioneer.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, Rainbow’s official presence is limited but vibrant. The band’s history is well-documented on the fan-run Rainbow Fanclan Legacy website, a treasure trove of discography, tour info, and fan stories. Fans can also connect on the Rainbow Fanclan Legacy Facebook group, where discussions about tracks like "A Light in the Black" thrive. Blackmore’s official website, ritchieblackmore.com, focuses more on his current project, Blackmore’s Night, but includes Rainbow archives. Social media for Rainbow is sparse, with no official Facebook or Instagram accounts, though Blackmore’s Night has a Facebook page and Instagram where Rainbow nostalgia occasionally surfaces. On X, the hashtag #RainbowRising often buzzes with fan posts, and the Blackmore’s Night X account shares occasional throwbacks. These platforms keep the Rainbow legacy alive for fans old and new.