Chris Rainbow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chris Rainbow
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Rainbow in 2001
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Christopher James Harley |
| Also known as | Christopher Rainbow |
| Born | 18 November 1946 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Died | 22 February 2015 (aged 68) Isle of Skye, Scotland |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, record producer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1971–2015 |
| Labels | EMI, Polydor, Vital Spark Music |
| Associated acts | Alan Parsons Project, Runrig, Camel, Panarama |
Christopher James Harley, known as Chris Rainbow (born November 18, 1946 – died February 22, 2015), was a Scottish singer and musician. He was famous for his pop rock songs like "Give Me What I Cry For" and "Solid State Brain." British radio DJs often played these songs in the 1970s.
Besides his own music, Chris Rainbow sang with many rock and pop bands. He also worked as a vocal arranger, helping bands make their singing sound great. Later in his life, he owned his own music studio. He became a respected music producer, helping other artists record their songs.
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Chris Rainbow's Early Life and Name
Chris Rainbow was born Christopher James Harley. His parents were James Harley and Pamela Clapham. He decided to use the stage name "Rainbow" to avoid confusion. Another famous musician named Steve Harley was very popular at the time.
Chris explained how he chose his new name:
Steve Harley was at his peak and I didn't want any confusion. The name Rainbow was found one evening as me and some friends were watching TV and the reporter's name flashed on the screen as 'Christopher Rainbow', so that was that.
Before becoming a musician, Chris tried different jobs. He even drew cartoons for a newspaper in Glasgow. Chris had a stutter when he spoke, but it disappeared when he sang.
Chris Rainbow's Music Career
In 1972 and 1973, Chris was part of a band called Hopestreet. They released two singles. After that, he started recording music on his own. In 1974, he released the popular songs "Give Me What I Cry For" and "Solid State Brain."
He then released three solo albums: Home of the Brave (1975), Looking Over My Shoulder (1977), and White Trails (1979). Many of his best songs were later put together on "best of" albums. These included rare songs and radio recordings.
A famous radio DJ named Kenny Everett helped Chris Rainbow's music become widely known. Kenny played Chris's songs a lot on his radio show in London. Chris also made special jingles (short songs) for the radio station.
In 1979, Chris Rainbow started working with The Alan Parsons Project. This was a very important part of his career. He sang on many of their albums, starting with Eve. He continued to work with Alan Parsons until 1999.
Chris also toured with Jon Anderson in 1980. He sang on Jon Anderson's albums Song of Seven and Animation.
In the early 1980s, Chris Rainbow joined the band Camel. He sang on their albums The Single Factor and Stationary Traveller. He also performed with them on their tours in 1982 and 1984. These live performances were released on the album Pressure Points.
Throughout his career, Chris Rainbow lent his voice to many other artists' albums. He sang on albums for Culture Club, Toyah Willcox, and Elaine Paige.
Chris Rainbow as a Music Producer
Chris Rainbow also became a successful music producer. He helped other artists record their songs and albums. He produced many singles and albums in the UK during the 1970s and 1980s.
He produced several albums for the Scottish Gaelic rock group Runrig. He started with their single Loch Lomond in 1982. He then produced many of their popular albums, including Heartland and The Cutter & The Clan. For these production jobs, he often used his birth name, Chris Harley.
Chris also produced solo albums for former Runrig members like Donnie Munro and Blair Douglas. He helped them create their own music after leaving the band.
Chris Rainbow's Studio
Chris Rainbow built his own music studio called Vital Spark Music Studio. It was located on the beautiful Isle of Skye in Scotland. Many artists recorded their albums there. These included Donnie Munro, Blair Douglas, and even KT Tunstall.
In 2000, Chris was working on his fourth solo album, which was going to be called In a Perfect World. Sadly, this album was never released. However, some of the music from his studio was released on other albums.
Chris Rainbow's Passing
Chris Rainbow passed away on February 22, 2015. He had been battling Parkinson's disease.
Many musicians shared their sadness after his death. Alan Parsons, from The Alan Parsons Project, said Chris was an "amazing talent." He called him the "One Man Beach Boys" because of his great singing. Alan remembered Chris's funny stories and how much laughter he brought to their recording sessions.
The band Runrig also shared a message. They said Chris was a "major part of the Runrig story." They remembered how he helped create the band's unique sound as their producer. Runrig said Chris was loved by everyone connected with the band.
Brian Wilson from The Beach Boys also shared his thoughts. He said he felt "really bad" to hear about Chris's passing. Brian remembered a song called "Dear Brian" that Chris wrote for him. He called it a "beautiful track."
Images for kids
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Chris Rainbow (left) and David Paton (right) with Donnie Munro (center) on tour in Germany in 2001.
