Rainbow in the Dark
The Autobiography
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4.4 • 47 Ratings
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
Instant National Bestseller
The long-awaited autobiography by one of heavy metal’s most revered icons, treasured vocalists, and front man for three legendary bands—Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and Dio.
Prior to his tragic death in 2010, Ronnie James Dio had been writing his autobiography, looking back on the remarkable life that led him from his hometown in upstate New York to the biggest stages in the world, including the arena that represented the pinnacle of success to him—Madison Square Garden, where this book begins and ends.
As Ronnie contemplates the achievement of a dream, he reflects on the key aspects that coalesced into this moment—the close gang of friends that gave him his start in music, playing parties, bars, frats, and clubs; the sudden transition that moved him to the microphone and changed his life forever; the luck that led to the birth of Rainbow and a productive but difficult collaboration with Ritchie Blackmore; the chance meeting that made him the second singer of Black Sabbath, taking them to new levels of success; the surprisingly tender story behind the birth of the Devil Horns, the lasting symbol of heavy metal; his marriage to Wendy, which stabilized his life, and the huge bet they placed together to launch the most successful endeavor of his career…his own band, Dio.
Everything is described in great detail and in the frankest terms, from his fallout with Blackmore, to the drugs that derailed the resurrection of Black Sabbath, to the personality clashes that frayed each band.
Written with longtime friend of thirty years and esteemed music writer, Mick Wall, who took up the mantle after Ronnie’s passing, Rainbow in the Dark is a frank, startling, often hilarious, sometimes sad testament to dedication and ambition, filled with moving coming-of-age tales, glorious stories of excess, and candid recollections of what really happened backstage, at the hotel, in the studio, and back home behind closed doors far away from the road.
(Black and white photos throughout plus an 8-page 4-color photo insert.)
Customer Reviews
Very good read
Overall it is a great book, well written by one of the greatest metal singers of all time. Ronnie is a great writer and story teller, very descriptive and honest. He certainly cleared up a lot of mysteries within the bands he played in, he tells his side of things without throwing anybody under the bus or being disparaging. My only criticisms of this book is that it is unfortunately a bit short, since Ronnie didn’t finish writing the rest of the book since he passed away untimely. His wife Wendy claims that he only wanted the book to be this long, but I can only imagine there would be at least a second book if Ronnie was still alive. About a third of the book does focus on his childhood and his younger years as a musician which was interesting but at times a little too detailed and boring. Overall, I did really enjoy the book, I just wish there was more to read.
Dio Rules
Great read.
Tremendous Rock God, Dio
More than I expected. This book will uplift you.