"Down to Earth" is a studio album by the British rock band Rainbow, released in August 1979. It marked a dramatic shift in the band's sound, veering away from the experimental fantasy-themed rock of their earlier works to more mainstream, AOR-oriented hard rock, influenced by vocalist Graham Bonnet's background in the R&B and pop-rock genres.
This album is significant for marking the first successful attempt by band leader and founder Ritchie Blackmore to merge rock and pop. Despite former lead singer Ronnie James Dio's departure due to creative differences, "Down to Earth" became one of Rainbow's most popular releases, producing the hit singles "Since You've Been Gone" and "All Night Long."
It was recorded at Château Pelly de Cornfeld, a castle in the rural commune of Hérouville, France, which was converted into a residential recording studio. The elaborate recording process involved splitting the band's time between the Château and Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark, while the mixing was finished at Kingdom Sound Studios in New Jersey, USA.
The album was the last to feature original drummer Cozy Powell and the only one to feature Bonnet. Powell would then be replaced by Bobby Rondinelli while Bonnet was replaced by Joe Lynn Turner. Keyboardist Don Airey, a new recruit, would get his first taste of fame with this album as it reached number 6 on the UK Albums Chart and peaked at number 11 in the US Billboard chart.
"Down to Earth" has been certified Silver in the UK and Platinum in the US, signifying outstanding sales performance. Ever since its release, it still stands as a significant milestone in Rainbow's history, influencing many aspiring musicians with its evocative lyrics, powerful melodies, and innovative fusion of rock and pop sensibilities.
