Rainbow Stargazer (Castle Donington 8/16/80)

Composed by Ritchie Blackmore & Ronnie James Dio
Graham Bonnett:Vocals
Ritchie Blackmore:Guitar
Don Airey:Keyboards
Roger Glover:Bass
Cozy Powell:Drums
Recorded at Donington Park, Leistershire, England August16, 1980
Originally issued and this recording taken from the 1980 album "Castle Donnigton/Monsters Of Rock" (Polydor PD-1-6311) (LP)

[@steveb8163]

This was Graham Bonett and Cozzy Powell's last gig with Rainbow and they all put out an awesome performance!!

[@Karl_Burton]

A pity there isn't any footage

[@stevenneill1040]

Stargzer is the greatest rock song of all time and no one sings it like Dio, but........Bonnet nails this and Blackmore's solo in this version is my all time favorite riff.

[@onptTV]

Yes, Stargazer is the all time greatest rock song.

[@MarkDavisGroup]

4:50 to 5:00 - Ritchie plays an Arabian lick then Roger doubles it up = P.F.E. -> Pure Fucking Epic

[@Gabgut]

YES!

[@JohnJones-fz1px]

That was fucking dope.....holy fuck

[@BLCKRDR]

DOPE

[@xanderweston2529]

Graham Bonnet, what a brilliant rock singer he is

[@jannilsson7963]

Dio sings this with ease Bonnet is strained.

[@hugodogobob]

Dio is regarding as one of the best singers across genres, even by people that don't favour rock/metal singers. Graham bonnet does an amazing job at this song, which is one of the most demanding Dio songs in terms of endurance. Everyone knows Dio does it better, but Graham did about as good as anyone that isn't Dio in his own style too.

[@babylemonade2868]

Doesn’t sound like he’s straining to me. He does a fantastic job

[@arubisudesu]

@@babylemonade2868 I think his edginess in his voice contributes to that seemingly straining sound.

[@scythianarcher4133]

Blackmore plays a very technical, atmospherical and creative solo! Just amazing! Genious guitar player!

[@zdravkobitunjac9542]

Bonnet is worthy for Rainbow.

[@Ritchie288]

And Powell was Great!👍

[@richardcostello7709]

Memories... If you have been to Download consider that back in 1980 the infield at Donington Park was a single hill as the earth tiers were created in the late 80's for MotoGP. The stage was down near the Old Hairpin and the crowd stretched back to Coppice corner. 100,000 people - complete with quad towers, so speaker stacks either side of the stage and 2 more stacks behind the crowd. Over the years I have worked loads at Donington, and when the sunsets and all is dark and peaceful I think back to that night and Blackmore's Stargazer solo echoing through the trees - what a time to be a teenager. Fabulous.

[@michelhille8107]

I wish i was there. Amazing guitar solo🎸❤

[@stevewiggins1601]

I was there....🙂

[@Jimmy-1867]

So was I unbeliverble version of stargazer so powerfull

[@ligonia7]

Graham Bonnet. What a Voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MissingMars]

huge Dio fan, but Graham Bonnet absolutely crushes this tune -friggin' WOW!

[@stevepoirier8207]

I Agree !!! Solid Line Up !!!

[@miranda1894]

Not even close

[@martinzavadil984]

@@miranda1894 They both are too different, Graham cannot be close to Dio as well as Dio cannot be close to Graham. They had totally different voice. Both of them were great, but different. Therefore is nonsense for me to compare these two guys. It's just about taste.

[@andyk976]

@@martinzavadil984 exactly

[@ronan82]

@@martinzavadil984 That's a cliche and intellectually lazy response. Of course we can compare them, art exists to be compared. Furthermore, measuring vocal greatness is quite easy. To put it simply: who has greater vocal power, who sings clearer, who has a higher and lower range, who has the better ability to control their tone. Or in even simpler terms, who is the least replicable.

[@richardbird8889]

All I can say is I was there anbout 30 feet from the stage, the set was mesmerising, Blackmore, Powell, Bonnett, Murray, Glover and Airey on great form, brilliant night. Also have the live vinyl !

[@langobard5546]

Murray who?

[@petertazky]

Murray was in Whitesnake at that time.

[@mix6809]

Amazing version of a classic, graham does an amazing job in this classic song.

[@stevepoirier8207]

That's What I Told To My Friend In Québec City,Canada...What a Performance !!!

[@kingfuller9830]

Blackmores guitar work was hypnotic on this.

[@retarteddwarf2182]

Graham Bonnet just slays this one. I would like to hear a whole rainbow live set with only him on vocals. Blackmore and band are top form here.

[@SuzanneKowalski]

Dio is the real deal, but Bonnett does a very good job on this one.

[@viroflay]

Epic version, Blackmore, Powell, Glover and Bonnet did a great job on this one !

[@kevinz8930]

Song is a masterpiece. Blackmore's solo awsome

[@Diin66]

Blackers is going into world domination mode on this guitar solo.

[@judaspino499]

Pocamadre de pinche vozarrón!! Después de 40 años aún se enchina la piel al oírlo. Además...SUPERGRUPO!

[@chetmustang8065]

I am shocked at how good Bonnett is at the dio stuff

[@richardcrook2112]

Same here!

[@feedsoal]

Imagine being able to watch Rainbow and Judas Priest playing on the same day. Wow!

[@michaelunsworth3253]

I was lucky enough to be there mate

[@matthewballard6399]

And Saxon!!!

[@richardcostello7709]

@@matthewballard6399 & Scorpions

[@darthhvaderr2236]

And Stevie Ray Vaughan 🎸

[@liamcoffey4128]

My childhood listening to Rainbow. Greatest guitarist ever lived and all band. RIP Cozy Powell. Inspirational drummer..noone will ever match his brilliance

[@robertb.4202]

Bonnet was the logical choice to replace Dio. This is a great version of Stargazer.

[@antoniochagas701]

Agreed

[@kimberlydixon4651]

Stargazer was Ronnie James Dio’s masterpiece. But Graham Bonnet absolutely killed it. Love this version too.

[@sfeigh]

First time hearing this version. All I can say is WOW! If someone held a pointy stick to my head and made me pick the best version, I would have to go with the RJD vocal version. But there really is nothing wrong with this rendition. Cozy is spot on with his drumming, and his rhythm section partner Roger is in the pocket with his playing. I forget that Don Airey was a member of Rainbow at one time. Great vocal by Graham, on a par with RJ's performance. And what accolade is left for the genius of Ritchie. This is perfect.

[@derekurwin1487]

+Scott F. I was there. It was absolutely fantastic!

[@stevepoirier8207]

Totally Agree With You !!!

[@luamoliveira3467]

No is close of Ronnie in terms of power, control and consistency live but Bonnet is one great singer.

[@mediamagnate]

Bonnet is sensational here. Comparing him to Dio is fruitless. They were both amazing when at the top of their game, which from what I've read Dio was more consistent than Bonnet. Incredible song. Incredible version. They sure don't make 'em like this anymore.

[@diagreen]

+mediamagnate So true, comparing GB TO RJD IS LIKE COMPARING THOR TO HERCULES.

[@zeppo20]

Dio was the best, Bonnet was not bad at all, but sometimes was out of tune, specially the Dio songs.

[@roimlil]

Good point well made.

[@nogodbob1]

Are you deaf ? He’s awful. The worst Jerry the worst. Too bad cuz everyone else here is on fire

[@samuelmckenzie7091]

Bonnet was a great voice and a singer he was real RAINBOW

[@luizcastro3637]

Awesome!!! the performance of Blackmore is amazing. His best time ...

[@mkvvrajasekhararao5508]

Both have great similarities in their singing Ronnie and Graham have that rock🤘 rainbow was lucky to have both legends

[@mickhobbs901]

Never forget this ,was at this concert.A fantastic day of music.Priest,Riot and Saxon if memory serves....culminating in a incredible Rainbow show with this mighty track..Bonnet & Dio both great rock singers IMO

[@sonofalerik09]

Don't forget the Scorpions.

[@razalihusain]

I was there Too while waiting for My A levels results.

[@hawkwind8468]

Bonnett was really powerful on this I'm impressed !!! A great icon of rock he is!! Alcatrazz is his high point IMO what a killer band!

[@robertnaslund1415]

Stargazer. Rainbows best song, Graham bonnet sings great on this one. 👍

[@64fizar]

Stargazer...best live recorded.

[@kabali1788]

That Blackmore solo in particular just compromises an approach of exact self expression of an image of self (sic) achievement .Mystical genius.Ha! Ha. Otherwise what a cracking solo from a fuc--ng brilliant musician!. Incredible !.

[@tjo8673]

This recording is amazing. Had no idea it existed.

[@paulcolville5972]

Wonder why Cozy didn't do the classic drum opening to this epic song?? A hearty effort by Graham!

[@brandonvoortwijs1382]

Cozy never did that live with Rainbow

[@farcebook1836]

Kick ass! Graham pulls it off...

[@jarcor0720]

One the best live albums around the world

[@simonw7284]

Agree last comment. Bonnet is a great singer. Dio is the best metal singer ever. Love bonnet though with other bands. Such clarity.

[@messi8921]

Wish Cozy stayed for a couple more albums! What a line up this was!

[@DarksaberForce]

I would've loved a couple more albums with both Cozy and Graham with Rainbow.

[@LiquidAudio]

What a phenomenal set of pipes GB had/has, and that's coming from a Dio fan!

[@barano9729]

Bonnet. Man Voice.

[@MusicMixerXX]

Bonnet is damn perfect singer too WOW see one time hes live set in Helsinki just pure magic just like Ronnie

[@julianlane8313]

Flew back from Berlin just to see the MOR. Great to see Rainbow, Priest etc. Biggest regret being too young to see the classic 1976 line up with Bain & Carey no other line up came near that one. Love Bonnet and their performance here.

[@marcjohnson7734]

My two favorite signers of all time quite technical song to sing not a bonnet kinds of tune but did an excellent job,❤Dio

[@harrisonj0679]

62 years old now but I was there with the same mates I have today and thanking my lucky stars I was born in the 60s To witness all these bands from zep to queen Thank god god I’m not young and exposed to the shit of today😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@roimlil]

Amazing vocals.

[@nxcheezhed]

I have this album bought it when it first came out. Love

[@barryispuzzled]

I was at the front left of the crowd aged 21 in platform shoes standing in 6 inches of mud. I knew I was slowly sinking as the day went on. In the evening, at the end of Rainbow's set, I tried to walk away. As I lifted my feet out of the mud, the soles my shoes came off and stayed in the mud. I walked back to the railway station in bare feet wearing only the tops of the shoes! No doubt some archeologist will find the soles in a 1000 years time in a Timewatch dig and try to figure out what kind of shoes they came from!

[@thud1015]

As a teenager I remember how me and my school mates were so pissed off that Dio had been replaced by a guy who looks like a Burton's shop window dummy. We never gave Bonnet any credit, but he had one helluva powerful voice.

[@lanashumova]

Боже, какой сильный, красивый голос! Песня, конечно, стопроцентно Ронни, но Грэм здесь очень хорош!

[@benchmat]

CLASSIC!!! UNTOCHABLE to this day!!!!!!

[@BigAlbinoDonky]

Great performance. Bonnet is a great singer no doubt about it. I prefer Dio singing it, he's just so epic and melodic. But I doubt you'd find many singers that could sound nearly as good as Bonnet does on this song.

[@elviejero2000]

The best live version of Stargazer!! No doubt....What a performance of Blackmore and Bonnet.. Thanks for this upload.. I Dare to say is one of the best live performance ever!!

[@underkyper]

The drumming is spot on, timings perfect.

[@Boris56todorov56]

Велико изпълнение на Graham Bonnett и Ritchie Blackmore !

[@johndial1929]

This is absolutely incredible!!!

[@d-d-i]

I just recently ran into this and I was highly impressed, that how well Bonnet could actually do this rather difficult ''Dio-number''. If only he would have stayed on the band, practised bit to be more consistent, he could have easily been on par with Dio, having his own style however. He truly had great pipes and sort of range, which suits into Dio-era material of Rainbow rather well.

[@luamoliveira3467]

Hard been on par with one the best vocalist of all time like Dio, he was clearly another level in terms of virtuoso singing.

[@jarcor0720]

Epic Blackmore solo

[@lucalone]

sadly the vocals are quite bad

[@grahamtaylor8912]

@@lucalone Nothing wrong wih the vocals.

[@Frankieisback]

One of Ritchies best guitarsolo Thanks for uploading!!

[@adlicious100]

Crazy , brilliant and beautiful at once between 5:32 and 5:58 .....

[@marcoantoniomatacabrera]

Le queda exelente está versión a bonnet La guitarra magistral

[@ronaldothomejunior3702]

How I would like to listen Dio and Bonnet side by side in those years!

[@colinharrison5569]

i was at this gig awesome show rainbow at there best

[@fitnessisgood4u]

What an incredible bunch of musicians!! Graham did a fair job here!! Its MEGA high

[@user-lq1tn7vc2q]

この年のライブバージョンは少ないので、凄く感動ですね、公式なDVDは勿論無いし、こうしてアップしてくれる方を待つしかないようで・・・本当、ファンにとっては、どうにもやるせないですよね・・・

[@xaviermakoof]

...🦉... Nous ne 🎩 connaitrons 🦊 plu de notre vivant 🐎 + Grand🦒 morceau, 🧀 que" Stargazer " 🌠 Et je suis heureux 👍 De l'avoir 🎧 entendu 🪑 avant de disparaitre 🌌 dans les étoiles 🌠

[@JROC2112]

Had this on cassette. Bonnett nails it here. Saw him live about 12 years ago and he was fab.

[@clintbronson5]

AGREED! But please acknowledge that the line up from the first album which was the band ELF minus the guitarist OF COURSE! Was damn good. I love RISING album but the first RAINBOW album is the most underrated rock album ever! Nobody mentions it and it has SNAKE CHARMER-SIXTEEN CENTURY GREENSLEVES-TEMPLE OF THE KING and MAN ON THE SILVER MOUNTAIN just to name a few for the whole album rocks!

[@rainbowandpurple1106]

Epic Masterpiece!!!! Epic Perfomance!!!!

[@michaelhardesty6599]

Used to have this album. As much as I respect Dio, THIS is my favorite version !!!!!

[@mariocardenas2614]

hace 40 años que tengo este acetato desde niño me gusta este genero de musica dios bendiga a todos los metaleros en todos sus generos saludos desde mexico patito

[@carlosmariotopelmangonzale5723]

Wonderful song... One of the most great live shows ever...

[@alanturner5688]

Brilliant such power Graham did damn well ….RB…as usual brilliant

[@ezequielrueda2023]

Tremenda rola alucinante poderosa y bien elaborada!! Qué bárbaros!!

[@andrewp8359]

I was there. Great gig

[@hracional1]

Amazing !

[@alvarotorresmestre]

Es un lujo poder disfrutar de este concierto para los fans espańoles .Gracias por subirlo 🙏

[@begalsyariah133]

for me, bonnet gave a different new color to rainbow.... and i enjoy it well...

[@jarcor0720]

Best Stargazer version!!!

[@stevepoirier8207]

You Know What ??? 100% AGREE !!!

[@benadam7753]

LOL!

[@antoniochagas701]

Nope it's not

[@benadam7753]

Ronnie owns this song, all others fall short, way short!

[@antoniochagas701]

@@benadam7753 but besides Dio Graham is the man to sing it

[@jesusgarrido2787]

No recordaba este buen tema... pero vaya pedazo de guitarra...este Ritchie !!!!!

[@Dedamme]

The song was written for Dio's voice, far different from Bonnet's, but he dis a pretty decent job on this, IMO, of course

[@antoniochagas701]

This song is composed by Dio and Blackmore, Dio has the best timbre I've ever heard, to sing Dio's song I would pick not a high range vocalist, I'd pick a singer by his tone and timbre but this guy has range to sing in queen maybe and fit so well

[@nickn1782]

I usually don't care much for live tracks, but I actually enjoy this more than the studio version with Dio.

[@luamoliveira3467]

Version with Dio live and studio is clearly more efortlesly, powerful and consistent.

[@nickn1782]

@@luamoliveira3467 Agreed, but I prefer the sound of Bonnet's voice on this track, and this performance in particular shows him at his best. Bonnet misses a lot of live notes (a lot of vocalists do, to be honest), but here he is in a register that works for him.

[@henrypazc.4589]

Fantastic Graham Bonnet

[@captpicard6894]

Ritchie’s Stairway, this is absolutely the best track Rainbow ever produced. Doesn’t matter if it’s RJD, Bonnett, or Ronnie Romero the fact is this song is utterly brilliant in ever way possible.

[@robsas6610]

I was there.. Blackmore was probably never ever better....

[@mcafabio3762]

Ronnie James Dio forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@HCsubser]

And some people say that Bonnet was the worst Rainbow singer. Actually Rainbow had 2 world class singer Dio and Bonnet. JLT and Doogie White couldn't perform well live, didn't have the vocal range that Bonnet and Dio had.I just can't understand people who say Bonnet was the worst Rainbow singer.

[@sajeevpanakalv.6257]

relax susser, there're many of us who've already realized realized that.

[@HCsubser]

Its nice to hear that

[@sajeevpanakalv.6257]

Cheers buddy !!!

[@jvidalw]

Are you kidding??? GB sounds like crap here!!!!!!!

[@markbrailsford8133]

HCsubser

[@tedstone5934]

No way in hell. Only Ronnie can sing this - and make you FEEL it. It's his song.

[@NigeyH2466]

Best concert I have ever been to.... by a mile

[@Traceishere]

I was there 1980!!!!!!!!!

[@massimopescatori6514]

... and there is still someone who considers Page among the greatest guitarists ever! how pissed I am ... Blackmore has always been light years ahead, just hear this stratospheric solo ...

[@jayboy6895]

A gem. Cheers

[@user-bo6dk9rx6z]

Though I can't feel originality at all from the very first listening, It's full of power much enough to carry this song on.

[@dadozele4523]

I need to say that after so so many years of '' being in love '' with all Rainbow opus, that I still can't say who's version is more dear to me. Is it Dio's ( R.I.P. ), or Bonet's. They did their role in the band with such a passion and sincerity, burning on every stage they ever walked. So they are powerfull and big booth, in their own particular way. Someone mentioned in form of a question; why Bonet get fired. There is a place on Y.tube where Ritchie explains his reasons for this, for me, not so important reason to act so drasticly. I think he made an error, but today, after more than quarter of century, I'm asking everybody; should we really give such an importance to all this??!! I only speak about the fact of Graham's getting fired. Ritchie and Bonet still have good life and legacy, Dio became immortal, the music they made is still refreshing to hear after all this time... Who could wish for more?!

[@Barbaste]

I bought this LP that same year when I was 13 I guess - I love it, esp. this version

[@mauriziosoffici4468]

Che musica meravigliosa

[@Toehider]

This is sensational

[@thevoid99]

while i prefer dio's vocals.... bonnet is on fucking fire.

[@albertogaytandelangel7711]

***** estoy de acuerdo contigo, cuando RITCHIE le pregunto a Graham realmente puedes mejorarla, bonnett contesto: claro que no y DIO su mejor esfuerzo en MONSTERS OF ROCK 1980 donde paso a la historia con esta version de Astronomo London News .

[@julsolmorrissolanocruz972]

Alberto Gaytan del Angel u

[@nickn1782]

I actually prefer Bonnet's version of Stargazer to Dio's studio version. Given Bonnet's tendency to rerecord songs he's done, I'd like to hear a Bonnet studio version of Stargazer.

[@luamoliveira3467]

@@nickn1782 Dio version of Stargazer is clearly superior in terms of power, control, technique proficiency and naturall consistency.

[@darrasflahaut2928]

great job graham