Back in May, the revamped version of RAINBOW released its first new music in more than two decades. Two tracks were made available on iTunes: an instrumental song called 'Land Of Hope And Glory', which is is a reworking of the 1902 British patriotic song of the same name from Edward Elgar's 'Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1', and a re-recording of the RAINBOW classic 'I Surrender', which was written by Russ Ballard and was first released by RAINBOW in 1981. The latter song features vocals recorded by Ronnie Romero, who is originally from Chile but is now settled in Madrid.

 

Blackmore stepped away from his Renaissance-inspired brand of music with BLACKMORE'S NIGHT in 2016 to perform a handful of shows with a brand-new lineup of the band he had formed after quitting DEEP PURPLE.

 

In addition to Blackmore and Romero, the current incarnation of RAINBOW includes STRATOVARIUS keyboardist Jens Johansson, BLACKMORE'S NIGHT drummer David Keith, bassist Bob Nouveau (a.k.a. Robert "Bob" Curiano, ex-BLACKMORE'S NIGHT), and backing singers Candice Night and Lady Lynn.

 

The two shows RAINBOW played in Germany in June 2016 were caught on camera to produce 'Memories In Rock - Live In Germany', which was released in November 2016 via Eagle Rock Entertainment on DVD+2CD, Blu-ray+2CD, and digital formats.

 

After Ritchie left DEEP PURPLE for the final time in 1993, he reformed RAINBOW for one album (1995's "Stranger In Us All") and one tour, ending things in Denmark in 1997.