In The Shadow Of The Wizard is a full colour, 224 page A4 softcover coffee table style book that comprehensively documents Rainbow’s first formative period. The recording of the first album, whilst Blackmore was still a member of Deep Purple; the first North American tour; the making of the seminal Rainbow Rising and the lengthy world tour that followed.
The reader is taken on a journey gig by gig by what is regarded as the classic Rainbow line-up of Blackmore, Dio, Powell, Bain and Carey.
Accompanied by photos, many previously unpublished; along with memorabilia and archive press cuttings. There is also an in-depth track by track look at the albums, and even a section detailing the short-lived Oyster Records, set up purely at Blackmore’s insistence.
The book also chronicles all the known recordings from the time, including full details of the many hours of rehearsal recordings made at Pirate Sound in California and a comprehensive guide to all the officially recorded live material, initially prepared for the On Stage album.
“It was such a great band! It was a band that influenced so many other bands. They were great songs. It was a groundbreaking time. We were the first to do that kind of material, and it influenced people so much that they’ve just never forgotten it.”
Ronnie James Dio
This the softcover of the now out of print 978-1-912782-41-3 Hardback.