Graham Bonnet

I was the singer in Rainbow
The untold story of Down to Earth


The day before New Year's Eve, sitting in my unfurnished flat apartment in Wolverhampton, phone rings. Hello, is that Pete? I said, "Yes, it is."

Pete, this is Ritchie Blackmore.

Fuck off, I said. Who is this? I thought John Thomas from the band Budgie. He was a prankster.

Pete, it's Ritchie.

Really?

He said, I got your number from.... I can't remember who he said, but I thought, oh, it's Ritchie. All right.

Would you be interested in joining my band, Rainbow? I've heard a lot of great things about you and your work with Trapeze. Mel Galley is going to hate me even more if I steal you. That will be twice.

We chatted for a few minutes and then he asked, do I have anything I can play to him? I said, "I have a copy of the new Trapeze album.

Hold on. I can play you a track down the phone." I played him "Don't break my heart again". Phone to the speaker. I thought he would have hung up by the end. Are you still there? I said.

"Very much so. Would you like to come to New York?"

"Yes."
"When?"

"Tomorrow," he said.

I was told to arrive at Euston train station. I would be met and taken to the airport. I was given a ticket and some money and put on a plane. I was detained at the airport upon arriving and taken to a back room where I was questioned and my luggage searched. They thought I was trying to work in the US. I said I was there for an audition. I was asked who was the band. I said Rainbow.

One of the security guys said "Ritchie Blackmore?". Then pack your case. You can go.

I was met by a member of the Rainbow Crew and taken to the Holiday Inn, Connecticut. I was there on my own for two days waiting for someone to greet me. I spent New Year's Eve on my own. Well, me and the barman in the hotel.

Next evening I was in the bar and who should walk in? Cozy Powell. Then in walks Don Airey. We all got on great from the off. I had met Cozy before. I said, "Where is Ritchie?" I was told he lives next door to the hotel.

So, I had been left on my own for two days with Ritchie, living next door, celebrating the new year. I was starting to get the picture. And the way they all spoke of Ritchie, he was the boss for sure. Ritchie walked in the bar with his girlfriend and we spent the evening talking. Me, Ritchie, Don, and Cozy.

I can't remember when Glover arrived. We arranged to meet for rehearsals next morning. Ritchie enjoyed being Ritchie and enjoying being number one. The first rehearsal was in a tiny rehearsal room. I was stood facing Cozy when he hit his bass drums. My jeans blew back in the ankles. He was making me laugh to make me feel at home. In fact, Don was the same, very friendly, as if they were relieved they had got me there. We did "Long Live Rock'n'Roll". I enjoyed that.

Not too many words. I think Cozy said, "We have this song demo with a girl singer." He said, "Ritchie does not like it, but the record company wants us to do it as a single." I said, "It's a great song." I think we ran through it.

I cannot remember what else we did. I kept thinking, "This is me singing with Rainbow." I got great feedback from the guys. They were talking like it was a done deal. Like I said, I felt they were relieved they had a singer. Ritchie was very reserved. I think that's how he'd like people to see him. All very positive.

But what was weird, it was though I was in, but no one actually said, "You're the new singer." I was given a plane ticket and told Bruce Payne would contact me, which he did when I got home.

I was put on the payroll. I think it was £2,000 per month. Little knowing it was to last only two months at that time.

Bruce said we were to do a demo of "Since You've Been Gone" at Roger Glover's house, which we did. I remember Ritchie playing the wrong chords when we were recording. Then the recording date for the album was announced. "Down To Earth" with a bang.

I arrived at the Geneva. The place was incredible with a moat and a drawbridge. Wow. Don arrived soon after me. We got on so well. It was all fantastic.

There was a guy called Jack Green there. He was the new bass player as Roger Glover was producing "Down To Earth". He was not playing, only producing. There was a mobile recording studio outside belonging to Jethro Tull. All the band gear was set up in the dining hall which was the size of a banqueting hall.

Cozy arrived. He was such a complete gentleman. He was such a complete person. He really was great. We were there for a couple of days before Ritchie arrived with the girlfriend. He spent a few days in his room only coming out to have meals. We had a cook living with us.

From time to time, Ritchie would come out and ask me and Jack to write some lyrics for an idea he would have. Then he would forget that one. Can you do some words for this? That would be another idea he would be playing. I was finding it frustrating as we did not seem to be doing much at all. I used to have a play on Don's Hammond organ to pass the time. We were all just waiting for Ritchie. After a few days, Ritchie had come up with some riffs.

One night about 10:30 to 11 p.m. I was going to bed and was told Ritchie wants to rehearse now. I foolishly said I was about to go to bed. Never mind. We went down to the dining hall. They all started jamming, led by Ritchie, showing them the ideas he had.

I was expected to just sing something over them. Something I'd never done before. I was used to having a structured song to sing, knowing the melody. I just looked at Don thinking, "What the fuck does he want?" So, I started wobbling some nonsense. We did this for some time. Don was looking at me and encouraging me to sing anything by pretending he was singing. I found this all a bit bizarre.

Next morning, there was a bad atmosphere from the off. I did not see Ritchie at all.

Roger said, "Can we talk in your room?"

I said, "Of course."

Roger said, "Ritchie is not happy."

I said, "Neither am I. I don't know what he wants. I am not used to working like this."

Roger said, "You are fired."

I said, "Couldn't Ritchie face me and fire me himself?"

Roger said, "I will take you to the airport now."

So, I went and told the guys I was fired. They were shocked.

Ritchie did not even come to say goodbye. He did send me a message through Roger.

He said, "You know the riff you have been playing on the Hammond. Could you show Don how it goes before you leave?"

On the way to the airport, Roger said, "Did I know any good bass players as Ritchie was not happy with Jack Green either. I was given no reason other than Ritchie was not happy."

Transpired, he was not happy with my vocal range. He said my top note was an A, which is not true as the world can hear on the Heep albums. I did. I did not apply for the job in Rainbow. I was invited by Ritchie Blackmore after listening to me singing "Don't Break My Heart Again" by Trapeze.

I made no claims about my vocal range. I did not have the time. I was called and then the next morning I was on a plane. I only told my wife. I don't think she believed me at first and then I told her I got the job. Then a couple of months later I told her I was fired.

What were you up to when Ritchie first contacted you for Rainbow?

I was in my apartment flat with no furniture. I can't remember what was happening with Trapeze. I had just got my first copy of "Hold On", the Trapeze album. Thank you, Mel, for writing the songs that got me in and out of Rainbow.

Considering Ritchies issues with Graham Bonnet. Did the topic ever get raised

No, he knows a star where he sees one.

Did your time with Rainbow get any press?

Only my local town paper. I was on the front cover. If I remember correctly.

Was your interactions with Ritchie strictly business?

I did talk to him. Yes, I did get on with him socially, but then again, I get on well with everybody. I'm very happy to finally tell the true version of my very, very brief time in such a great band. Pete Goalby.

© Peter Kerr, Rock Daydream Nation - November 2, 2025