The Smiley Smile Message Board

I felt really bad to hear about Chris Rainbow passing away, he was too young. I remember in the late 1970s, a friend played "Dear Brian" for me and I was touched and honored by it. It was a beautiful track. I wish the best for Chris's family and friends.

Love & Mercy,

Brian

Nice tribute, Brian.

Chris Rainbow - "Dear Brian" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDnLqiJCyvk)

A touching tribute - Chris would be so moved.

I'm very sorry to have learned of Chris' death. He wrote some beautiful songs and being influenced by Brian had some wonderful results.

Thanks so much Brian for thinking of Chris.  This will mean a lot to his family, I'm sure.  He was a funny, sweet and talented man and we will all miss him...

That's odd, I can't find anything about his passing anywhere.

But indeed, that's sad news. 'The Turn of a Friendly Card' is one of my favorite songs from the 1980s.

Edit: http://www.udiscovermusic.com/chris-rainbow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YMQZhuqSAw

'Dear Brian' is a lovely song and tribute. Sorry to hear about his passing. Thank you Brian for relaying the message. Love And Mercy.

In a statement responding to Chris' death Alan Parsons said "Eric Woolfson and I used to call him the One Man Beach Boys."

Praise enough. Unfortunately Chris's and indeed Alan's music passed me by. Thank you, Brian, for taking the trouble to pay tribute to him here.

Never heard of Chris's music. Looks like I have to remedy that.

Sorry for the loss.

Sure, I can see " Dear Brian" being old enough that it'd be easy to overlook. And the rest of his and the Alan Parsons music wouldn't be to everyone's taste, I'm sure. 
Always sad tho, when someone such as this passes.  

For me, I first heard the Brian tribute on a tape from Coach. Another who is surely/sorely missed.  

"Looking Over My Shoulder" his second album is indeed recommended, not just because of "Dear Brian". "Ring Ring" from his third and last album was a successful 45 in Germany and Holland (1979). After that he sang quite a lot of songs on various Alan Parsons Project albums and produced Runrig, a Scottish band quite popular all over Europe.
Albums:
Home Of The Brave (Polydor 1975) produced by Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff
Looking Over My Shoulder (Polydor 1978) produced by Chris Rainbow
White Trails (EMI 1979) produced by Chris Rainbow
Plus a string of about 8 45s (often with non-lp B-sides or different versions)
You can find them here http://www.45cat.com/artist/chris-rainbow (http://www.45cat.com/artist/chris-rainbow)

I've honestly never heard of him but I'll check his stuff out.  Touching that Brian thinks enough of us to come mention it here. 

It is nice, isn't it that Brian includes his fans?  Brian posted a tribute on his Board as well.  What a lovely thing to do, and now a lot of you who weren't aware of Chris (he wasn't as well known in the States) will be able to enjoy his music, which was great.  Chris loved Brian and you can hear the appreciation in his work.

Not to meowntion* here in Russia, don't forget about us. :police: He wasn't popular in Soviet Union, according to those who grew up during that time.

Now, I'm off for Youtube to listen to some Chris Rainbow & then -  my usual habit - go to our local file-sharing site & download for free the toons I liked. :3d

*that's a cat talk for ya  =^_^=
Cheers.

I'd never heard of him before, but if Brian thinks that highly of him, I must check him out.

The song "Give me what I cry for " is beautiful. Melodically superb. The lead and counter harmonies are wonderful.

Just checked it out. Really good stuff. 'I've lost the meaning of simplicity'...now that's a great line.

Just to make it easy:

His tribute to Brian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDnLqiJCyvk

Great tag on this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMwtbAV7oG0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvYYnLrivc8

Thanks Ang.  Mike Grant will also be re-playing a tribute to Chris on his Mixlr.com show "Mike's Mix" today at 8pm UK time, 3 pm EST and noon PST...This is immediately before his weekly Hawthorne Harmonies show on at 9pm UK time.  This week he's doing a tribute to the anniversary of the "Smile" premiere (11 years, 1 week ago).   Hope everyone can make it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GozQ3hvy6N0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GozQ3hvy6N0) Intro and tag remind you of??

Yes - Much of Chris's music tips its hat to Brian's work - "You Still Believe in Me" in this case, of course.  And this work is quite nice, isn't it?

  Really Billy.  Chris was OUTSTANDING.  His is a terrible loss.  We are ALL the poorer for it. :(

I'm in almost the same position as Billy I'm afraid - while I'd heard the name I've not checked out the music. But, as Debbie suggests, here's inspiration to do just that. Also sorry to hear about this, especially someone who brought more harmony to the world.

Thanks guys - yes, Chris hasn't been played that much in the States - so sad.  I had to order his albums through a record store that would import UK/European records at the time - pretty famous, Aarons.  The entire store was full of those albums that record companies gave to people for promoting records (hole punch in the album cover).  Some Hollywood types bought food by getting the freebies and selling them to Aarons...survival in rock n' roll land...

The good news is, Brian heard "Dear Brian" so he knew about Chris's admiration.

Thank you for the links, Ang - like a few others here, I was unaware of Chris and how he expressed his passion for Brian and his work.

I'll check these out by way of tribute.

Also thoughts to those who were family and friends - A

Had never heard the song "Dear Brian" before. Great tune! Would be honored to have someone put so much effort into writing a song about me!

Sad to hear of his passing. Too young. :(

Probably the best introduction to Chris' work is the Anthology 1974-81 double CD: contains the entire and very wonderful Looking Over My Shoulder album, choice selections from his other solo stuff, demos, B-sides and, of course, the Kenny Everett jingles. Costs a fortune on import, but Spotify is your friend. A stellar talent, and also a thoroughly nice man with a keen line in self-deprecation.  :)

Agreed, Andrew - but of course, you would know.  I love that cd.

I remember him from Alan Parsons Project albums...very sad, a true talent lost.

Just listened to Dear Brian, very nice song.