UK Singer /Guitarist /Songwriter  Chris Rainbow

Born Isle of Ely England  began his musical career aged 14
and went on to sing and play in various groups as well as performing as
a cabaret Artist and Country Music Singer. In 1986 he recorded his first
Album entitled " Let Me Be There", forming the Chris Rainbow Band in
1987 who went on to become a popular attraction on the Club Scene.
At the end of the decade Chris relocated to California
where he continued performing and recording. Since his return to
England in the early 90's Chris has been an active live performer and
recorded some great CD's. Chris has also written and recorded a
number of his own songs one of which "Clever Man" received extensive
radio play in a number of countries particularly Australia & Europe.
Away from music Chris has worked on a Circus and made numerous
Film & TV appearances.

Please note' The real Chris Rainbow.' is not to be confused with Christopher James Harley who died a few years ago and used the stage name Chris Rainbow in the 1970s.

                                 Above pic Breaking out Summer/Fall 2019

Recorded in early 2020 for use on a future project, I had no idea at the time that the lyrics would prove so poignant in the light of the Covid-19 outbreak and the subsequent lockdown.

Big Ted put together this video using some stills and appropriate pictures which showcase this great Rick Parfitt song, written when he was living alone on the Channel Islands for tax purposes and waiting to see his friends……

Take care and see you soon

Chris Rainbow

May 2020

click on the picture to play the video

             New CD available now at Chris Rainbow shows or e mail for details.

Ridin High was recorded at Arena studios Somerset and includes a great mix of songs and two of Chris's  own compositions.

Tracks include Honky Tonk Man, Foot Tapper, Rose in Paradise, Highway 40 Blues, Promised Land and many other classic Country, Rock n' Roll, Instrumentals and Ballads. The CD was recorded at Arena Sound Studios Somerset England and is available to buy at all Chris's shows.

                               LOOKING BACK

                                                  CD also available

CHRIS RAINBOW SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY

                               For more info on above CDs Please email:

                             SELECTED  FILM AND TV APPEARANCES 

               Casualty BBC TV series various episodes 1986 to early 90's

               Dr Who Time and Rani BBC TV series 1987

               Aliens in the Family childrens TV series CBBC 1987

               This is your life Cyril Mills BBC TV 1987

               Made in America 1993 FilmWarner Bros USA

               Reeves and Mortimer TV comedy 1990's

               The Wyvern Mystery BBC Television Film 2000

               Misc: Paulos Circus Summer / Winter season 1987

               Good Old Days Of Variety The Pavilion Theatre llfacombe 1987                                  Summer Season.

               Dawlish Warren Holiday Centre 1987 Summer Season. 

               Brean Leisure Centre 1987 / 88 Summer Seasons 

               NACO West Resort Parks California and Nevada USA 1991 / 92

Over the years Chris has worked with many other artists : including George Hamilton V, Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas, TV comediens Jerry Thomas and Jonnie Walker, Michelle Breeze and Paul Brett, Kelvin Henderson, Richard Cadelle, The Wurzels, Mickey John Bull, Rob Duncan, Indigo Lady  and many other bands, solo artists and variety performers. Chris and his band also backed Country Music Star Patsy Montana on her visit to the UK in the early 90's. Patsy Montana being the first woman to have a million selling Country Music Single with' I want to be a cowboys sweetheart'. Patsy Montana had also appeared on the Grand Old Opry and the Louisiana Hayride with Hank Williams and other legendary Country Music performers of the era. 

Chris has also appeared at many of the South of Englands top venues: The Rainbow and Coral lsland both in Torquay, The Wintergardens Pavillion W - S-M and Braddicks Westward Ho among others.  As a solo performer or with his band Chris has also performed at many music festivals and events including: Americana at the Three Counties Showground, The Dorset Steam Fair, The Bannerdown International Dog Show, Blaenavon Festival of Music, Hereford Country Music Festival, Wootten Bassett Carnival also Country Music Festivals at Brean Sands, Taunton, Bridgewater, Wivilescombe, Bristol and W-S-M. Chris has also appeared in Pantomime playing Buttons in' Jack and the Beanstalk' and also sang and danced in a Summer Revue. More recently Chris has been working with former Uriah Heep bass player Paul Newton in the Newton / Rainbow Project releasing the album ' Licence to Rock ' in 2016. 

AWARDS        

              Wellworthy Country Music Club Solo Artist of the year 1987 

Lord Haldon Country Music Club Band of the Year Award 1994 Chris Rainbow Band. 

In 2005 Chris's song Clever Man was featured on a complination by the Canadian record label Hillcrest along with other artists including George Hamilton IV and Mandy Strobel and as a result recieved airplay on radio stations in a number of countries including the USA and Austraila.

                                  BANDS  { Selected }

  WHITE ANGEL                                                   1978 - 1980

  SCAVENGER                                                       1980 - 1982

  THE SKULLCAPZ                                              1982 - 1984

  HIGHWAY CRUISERS                                      1983 -1984

  CHRIS RAINBOW AND FOOLS GOLD         1986 - 1987

   THE CHRIS RAINBOW BAND, AKA     THE CHRIS RAINBOW COUNTRY           BAND                                                                     1987 - 2004 

   THE ROCKY ROAD FOUR                               2000 - 2003 

   WILD BUNCH UK                                              2005 - present 

   NEWTON /  RAINBOW  PROJECT  { featuring Paul Newton ex Uriah Heep /       Gods etc }                                                              2015 - present

                                     SELECTED RECORDINGS { PRE - CD }                                                                                                                                                                                      LET ME BE THERE                               CRR                                                                        KING OF THE ROAD                             CRR                                                                      HONKY TONK COWBOY                      CRR                                                                      COUNTRY VOL 1                                     CRR                                                                      COUNTRY VOL 2                                 CRR                                                                          KENTUCKY RAIN                                UKUSA                                                                  BROKEN PROMISE LAND                  UKUSA                                                                NO STRANGER TO THE RAIN            UKUSA                                                            REBOUND                                                 CAB                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              UKUSA  Albums all recorded at Pacific Coast Music San Jose CA other Recordings made in Great Britain in 1980's.                           

above The Chris Rainbow Country Band at the Santa Fe CMC W-S-M in the early 90's. 

 Ticket from the 1993 Welworthy Country Music Festival in Bridgewater             Somerset.

                                Above pic taken at Arena Studios Somerset                                     

Above: Chris with Dave Stokes Guitarist with the Chris Rainbow Band for many years at Chris's show at W-S-M Con Club.

On the 30th of August 2016 Chris made a welcome return to the Silver Dollar CMC, held at the Plough, Aberaman, South Wales. A good sized crowd enjoyed some great country music, as well as many old favourites Chris played great versions of George Strait's Amerillo By Morning, Garth Brook's Friends in Low Places. Thanks to Conrad for the pics.

Wagon Wheel filmed live at Walls Club Glos. to watch video, click on picture.

Feb 19th 2017 Chris was back at Walls club Glos

for a well recieved Show.

     Above Newton / Rainbow Project Live At Dumbleton Club 27th July 2018 

Chris and Paul Newton's new CD "LICENCE TO ROCK" is now available. Tracks include two Uriah Heep covers and original songs written by Chris. Plus two Bonus tracks.

Available  late December via CD BABY or direct from this site.info@chrisrainbow.co.uk

There has been quite a lot of interest in this release mainly due to Paul's past as a member of Uriah Heep. It has been an added bonus for me to have had some of the songs that I have written exposed to a wider audience. I have been pleased that the reviews of the CD have generally been positive. To see more about the Newton/Rainbow Project go to these websites.

https://outsiderrock.wordpress.com/2017/01/05/newton-rainbow-project-interview/

https://heepfanbasegermany.wordpress.com/category/paul-newton

Chris and Paul are set to return to the studio and record some new tracks to be released on an E.P. to be made available later on this year. The E.P. will feature four original songs written by Chris, working titles for these include' Doom of the world', ' Its up to you', 'Ghosts of the past' and ' Dangerous Times.' Also included will be a cover version of Mountains' Crossroader' and a live version of J.J.Cale's' They call me the breeze.' Recording is scheduled to begin at the end of May at Arena Sound Studios Somerset.

                     Chris on stage in South Wales