Former Rainbow keyboardist Tony Carey recently opened up about the intense dynamic between Ronnie James Dio and Ritchie Blackmore during the classic Rainbow era. He shared insights into why the legendary vocalist ultimately clashed with guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. His comments were made during an interview with Cassius Morris Official.
Carey discussed the personal and professional tensions that eventually led to the split between the two rock icons.
“Well, first of all, Ronnie was my uncle. He was 14 years older. He was an American. He was from upstate New York, and I could talk to him about anything. He was always sympathetic,” Carey said.
The keyboardist explained how financial pressures began affecting the band’s creative direction. Blackmore felt the need to compete commercially.
“Ronnie and Ritchie, Ronnie took it till he couldn’t take it anymore. I mean Ronnie was Ronnie. Ritchie was Ritchie. Obviously, creatively, they were the dream team. But then it came to the point where Ritchie said, ‘We got to compete with Foreigner,’ which I also understand because Ritchie was paying for everything and it was all coming out of his pocket and he’s watching Foreigner with ‘I Want to Know What Love Is’ song making $25 million and our album’s number, you know, 93 in the Billboard charts for three weeks, then goes away,” he continued.
Carey provided context for Blackmore’s financial concerns. He noted the substantial costs involved in running Rainbow.
“So Ritchie didn’t really care what music he played, but he needed to make some money. We need to make a profit. He was going broke. I mean, that Rainbow, that whole light and the crew that that all cost a fortune and all the logistics and the lawyers and the flights and the hotels and the retainers and, you know, whatever. So, you got to look at both sides of that, too,” Carey explained.
The final breaking point came when Dio refused to compromise on his artistic vision.
“But Dio’s turning point was Ronnie finally said and this was after I’d left. This is one album later when I got Graham. Ronnie said, ‘I won’t do love songs. Sorry.’ You know, ‘I won’t sing love songs.’ And you know, I’m out. So he had a a really good third leg. He had already met Tony (Iommi) and right you know he knew he was safe,” Carey revealed.
This insight sheds light on one of rock music’s most significant lineup changes. It shows how creative differences and financial pressures ultimately ended the collaboration between two legendary musicians.
