Thank God the Europeans were clued into the power of rock/proto-metal prior to the dawn of MTV, otherwise many a vintage band/concert might be lost to generations that came later. Case in point, this classic Rainbow performance, captured by Rockpalast, who has been unearthing plenty of gems lately. Lasting 146 minutes, including the nearly two hours that comprises the eight tracks from Germany, Ronnie James Dio fronting the band and Ritchie Blackmore kicking out guitar solos left and right. There’s a trio of old school promotional videos (wildly animated Man In Black on ‘Long Live Rock N Roll’, ‘Gates Of Babylon’ and the most quixotic, ‘LA Connection’), a career spanning interview with bassist Bob Daisley (20 minutes, now an old man), an extensive, 40 minute in-depth audio documentary (goes through setlist and band history during Dio era) atop a photo gallery and a report from ’76 (11:30 interview w/ Blackmore & Dio, as well as more live footage), from Sydney (although it’s mysteriously labeled as “Rainbow Over Texas”).

70s fashion faux pas abound: white satin bell bottom trousers, white fringed, drawstring chemise (a distant cousin to Seinfeld’s poufy pirate shirt), knee length, lace-up leather moccasin boots and the favorite of hairy chests everywhere: shirts open to the navel. The music however, will never go out of style! Several renditions approach 20 minutes, including an emotive ‘Catch The Rainbow’, rousing ‘Man On A Silver Mountain’ and the closing ‘Do You Close Your Eyes’. ‘Still I’m Sad’ lasts 27:33, wow! The light show revolves around the pulsating, multi-colored arch overhead, the predominance of red, orange and pinks not conducive to photography, or in this case, a live TV show. They’d certainly be minimized, if filmed today. Blackmore is his flamboyant self, his wildly undulating right arm flashing skyward, other times balancing on one foot. ‘Mistreated’ and ‘Sixteenth Century Green Sleeves’ both typify the dynamics inherent throughout, from the silence of the lone struck note, to the full on cacophonous din created by the entire band. Sort of like visiting a museum, to see works of the masters. This time, there’s a soundtrack too. Special!