Wolf to the Moon

Zoo Freaks, get ready for a wild ride as the Zoo Crew spins "Wolf to the Moon" by Rainbow from their 1995 album Stranger In Us All. This track, a high-energy hard rock anthem, captures the restless spirit of a wanderer drawn to the night, much like a wolf howling at the moon. One piece of trivia that stands out is that this song was part of Rainbow’s comeback album after a 12-year hiatus, marking a significant moment for the band. In a rare interview snippet from 1995, vocalist Doogie White shared that the song’s lyrics were inspired by a sense of freedom and rebellion, reflecting the band’s mindset during the album’s creation. He mentioned the recording sessions were fueled by late-night jams, with the band channeling a raw, untamed energy into the track.

Another tidbit comes from a 2004 live performance by Doogie White with his band White Noise, where they played "Wolf to the Moon" to a roaring crowd. A fan post on a Rainbow fan Facebook group recalled White joking onstage that the song was almost called "Wolf to the Stars" but the band felt the moon had a grittier, more primal vibe. Social media buzz from fans on Rainbow’s X account often highlights the song’s blistering guitar riffs, courtesy of Ritchie Blackmore, with one user tweeting in 2020 that the solo in "Wolf to the Moon" felt like “a cosmic journey through a stormy night.” The song’s legacy lives on, occasionally popping up in setlists by tribute bands like Over the Rainbow, who played it in 2008, as noted in a fan blog on Rainbow Fanclan.

Rainbow, the brainchild of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, was born in 1975 after Blackmore left Deep Purple to pursue a new creative vision. His goal was to blend hard rock with classical influences, a groundbreaking move at the time. Blackmore, already a seasoned session musician in the 1960s, had honed his craft backing artists like Screaming Lord Sutch before joining Deep Purple in 1968. His departure from Deep Purple came from a desire to explore more experimental sounds, leading to the formation of Rainbow with members of the band Elf, including vocalist Ronnie James Dio. Their debut album, Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, dropped in 1975, kicking off a storied career marked by lineup changes and genre shifts. Blackmore’s innovative fusion of blues rock and classical elements set Rainbow apart, earning them a cult following.

The band’s journey wasn’t without challenges—frequent lineup changes meant Rainbow evolved with each album. By the time Stranger In Us All was recorded, Blackmore had assembled a fresh crew, including Doogie White, to revive the Rainbow name. After this album, Blackmore shifted gears to form Blackmore’s Night, diving into folk rock, but Rainbow’s hard rock legacy endures through fan communities. You can keep up with Rainbow’s official updates on their website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather on sites like Rainbow Fanclan and the Rainbow Fanclub on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can dive deeper into the band’s history and share their love for tracks like "Wolf to the Moon."