Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Did one decision permanently change Rainbow and divide its fanbase forever?
In this video, we dive deep into one of the most controversial turning points in Rainbow’s history: the dramatic lineup changes between 1980 and 1981 that led to Difficult to Cure. As Ritchie Blackmore pushed the band toward American radio success, longtime members exited, new voices entered, and Rainbow reinvented itself for the 1980s.
We break down the fallout with Graham Bonnet, Cozy Powell’s departure, the search for a more commercial sound, and how Joe Lynn Turner became the key to Rainbow’s U.S. breakthrough. From the infamous haircut incident to the rise of AOR Rainbow, this is the story of ambition, control, and reinvention.
Was Difficult to Cure a sellout or a necessary evolution?
👉 Watch until the end, then check out my Rainbow Albums Ranked video on screen to see where this era lands compared to the Dio and Bonnet years.
If you enjoy deep-dive rock and metal history, album analysis, and classic band stories, make sure to like, subscribe, and comment with your favorite Rainbow era.
#Rainbow #RitchieBlackmore #DifficultToCure #JoeLynnTurner #GrahamBonnet #CozyPowell #RockHistory #HardRock #ClassicRock #MetalHistory #AOR #80sRock #RainbowBand #rockdocumentary
Hey everyone! I just released my new e-book called How to Start a YouTube Channel for Introverts. It’s a quick and easy 42-page read where I share the full story behind my channel, JC Rock and Metal Reviews—how I got started, the struggles I faced, and the lessons I learned along the way.
jc-rock-and-metal-reviews-shop.fourthwall.com/products/how-to-start-a-youtube-channel-as-an-introvert-e-book
Please consider becoming a member of this channel. The first tier is 0.99 and this gives you early access to my videos as I always post them as members first before going public. Sometimes I post up to a week in advance. The second tier is 2.99 and this one gives you early access plus the benefit of making video requests. You can request album reviews or any other video provided it is within the scope of this channel’s content.
Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCRPx4Iygm4SnMn4D7Getgtg/join
If you want to help support the channel. I have merch, including t-shirts, coffee mugs and stickers.
Check out the new Merch Store:
jc-rock-and-metal-reviews-shop.fourthwall.com/?source=dashboard
FACEBOOK:
facebook.com/JCrockandmetalreviews
TikTok:
vm.tiktok.com/ZMNNq83XD
CONTACT INFORMATION
jpc522@yahoo.com
**FAIR USE**
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
Did one decision permanently change Rainbow and divide its fanbase forever?
In this video, we dive deep into one of the most controversial turning points in Rainbow’s history: the dramatic lineup changes between 1980 and 1981 that led to Difficult to Cure. As Ritchie Blackmore pushed the band toward American radio success, longtime members exited, new voices entered, and Rainbow reinvented itself for the 1980s.
We break down the fallout with Graham Bonnet, Cozy Powell’s departure, the search for a more commercial sound, and how Joe Lynn Turner became the key to Rainbow’s U.S. breakthrough. From the infamous haircut incident to the rise of AOR Rainbow, this is the story of ambition, control, and reinvention.
Was Difficult to Cure a sellout or a necessary evolution?
👉 Watch until the end, then check out my Rainbow Albums Ranked video on screen to see where this era lands compared to the Dio and Bonnet years.
If you enjoy deep-dive rock and metal history, album analysis, and classic band stories, make sure to like, subscribe, and comment with your favorite Rainbow era.
#Rainbow #RitchieBlackmore #DifficultToCure #JoeLynnTurner #GrahamBonnet #CozyPowell #RockHistory #HardRock #ClassicRock #MetalHistory #AOR #80sRock #RainbowBand #rockdocumentary
Hey everyone! I just released my new e-book called How to Start a YouTube Channel for Introverts. It’s a quick and easy 42-page read where I share the full story behind my channel, JC Rock and Metal Reviews—how I got started, the struggles I faced, and the lessons I learned along the way.
jc-rock-and-metal-reviews-shop.fourthwall.com/products/how-to-start-a-youtube-channel-as-an-introvert-e-book
Please consider becoming a member of this channel. The first tier is 0.99 and this gives you early access to my videos as I always post them as members first before going public. Sometimes I post up to a week in advance. The second tier is 2.99 and this one gives you early access plus the benefit of making video requests. You can request album reviews or any other video provided it is within the scope of this channel’s content.
Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCRPx4Iygm4SnMn4D7Getgtg/join
If you want to help support the channel. I have merch, including t-shirts, coffee mugs and stickers.
Check out the new Merch Store:
jc-rock-and-metal-reviews-shop.fourthwall.com/?source=dashboard
FACEBOOK:
facebook.com/JCrockandmetalreviews
TikTok:
vm.tiktok.com/ZMNNq83XD
CONTACT INFORMATION
jpc522@yahoo.com
**FAIR USE**
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
