Graham Bonnet recently addressed his relationship with heavy metal music and pushed back against being categorized strictly as a heavy metal singer. He shared his perspective in an interview with Blabbermouth.
The veteran vocalist is known for his work with Rainbow and MSG. He was asked about his connection to hard rock and metal music, specifically how he “inherited the scenes” through his involvement with these bands.
“I haven’t changed my voice to call it ‘heavy metal.’ It’s always the same. When I first joined Rainbow for my audition, I wore my suit and tie. Cozy called me the ‘bank manager.’ I said that was okay,” Bonnet said. “I haven’t changed my voice; my style is the same. Back in 1968, when my cousin and I made that record with The Marbles, it was the same then as it is now. I wasn’t exaggerating or doing another [mimics growling vocals], like a voice with a sore throat. I always tried to sing cleanly but with emotion. If I’m powerful, I want them to feel what I felt when I sing it.”
Bonnet emphasized the emotional connection he creates with his audience and the personal nature of his songwriting.
“I know that we’ve done a lot of live gigs recently, and Beth-Ami will tell me, after the show is over, I get a lot of guys coming up to me, ‘You just changed my life.’ And they’re crying. ‘You really mean what you’re singing?’ ‘Yes, I do.’ I know what it is. It’s not some fairy tale. It might as well be about ‘Jack And The Beanstalk’. I’m talking about real life,” he continued. “I have a song called ‘The Beast In The Shadows’, which sounds very metal. It’s about Alzheimer’s. I’ve lost my dad and my brother to it. It is the beast that hides in the shadows. I’m scared of it. Is that beast going to get me? I hope not.”
The singer described the emotional impact of performing such personal material and how it affects both him and his audience.
“It’s an emotional song, and I remember doing the video for it, and it was one take because I couldn’t sing anymore. I started to cry. After the shows, the guys who come up to me and say ‘You’re a part of my life’ and they start to cry. And they well up and tremble. I say to Beth-Ami, ‘That guy needs a hug.’ I hug them too because I’m overwhelmed by how they feel about what I do. It’s bloody singing! It is telling a story, and if they relate to one of the songs, that’s great,” Bonnet explained.
He concluded by comparing his approach to country music storytelling rather than conforming to heavy metal conventions.
“And I didn’t want to jump on the bandwagon and become a ‘heavy metal singer.’ I’ve sung the way I’ve always sung. In a way, my songs are like a country song—I’m telling a story. Country songs always tell a story. Most do, the old country songs, anyway. I’m reporting incidents. That’s what I do,” he said.
Bonnet’s recent comments come as he continues to actively tour and record. This demonstrates his enduring commitment to his authentic vocal style and storytelling approach.
New Releases Now reported that Bonnet recently released the live album “Lost In Hollywood Again.” The album was recorded at L.A.’s legendary Whisky a Go Go on August 29, 2024. The 16-song set showcases his remarkable career spanning multiple decades and bands. It features classics from Rainbow, Michael Schenker Group, and Alcatrazz alongside hard-hitting originals from the Graham Bonnet Band.
The live recording captures Bonnet’s explosive performance style and demonstrates his continued vocal prowess at 78 years old. RAMzine noted that the setlist serves as a journey through Bonnet’s storied career. It highlights his versatility across different musical eras while maintaining his distinctive vocal approach that he describes as unchanged since his early days.
The album includes fan favorites such as “Since You’ve Been Gone,” “All Night Long,” and “Eyes Of The World.” These tracks showcase the breadth of material that has defined Bonnet’s career across multiple legendary bands. Frontiers Records revealed that the live recording also features instrumental showcases and deep cuts that demonstrate the technical prowess of his current band lineup.
This latest release reinforces Bonnet’s position as one of rock’s most enduring voices. It proves that his commitment to emotional authenticity and storytelling continues to resonate with audiences decades after his initial rise to prominence. The live album serves as a testament to his belief that genuine emotion and personal connection matter more than conforming to genre expectations or vocal trends.
