Black Sheep Of The Family

Album: Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (1975)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In a 1975 radio interview with Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio, Ritchie explained how this came to be recorded. It was suggested, he said, the song was autobiographical because he was the black sheep of the family in Deep Purple - of which he was both a founder member and the time serving lead guitarist. While he was indeed the black sheep of the band, he dismissed this explanation. He got together with Dio - who at that time was with Elf - to record it as a single, and it turned out so well they needed a B Side, but when the B-side was recorded, it turned out to be even better. This led to them recording an album, and to the formation of Rainbow.
  • In fact, "Black Sheep Of The Family" also known simply as "Black Sheep" was written by Steve Hammond, and was recorded originally by Quatermass. Whether or not it is autobiographical, many families have one. It was never released as a single by Rainbow, although the B Side was originally intended to be "Sixteenth Century Greensleeves."

    Running 3:22, it was recorded along with the rest of the album at Musicland Studios, Munich, Germany - in Blackmore's favorite country - although the concept dates to December 1974 in Tampa Bay, Florida. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.

Mike Scott of The Waterboys

Mike Scott of The WaterboysSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Whole Of The Moon" and "Red Army Blues," and why rock music has "outlived its era of innovation."

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Justin Timberlake

Justin TimberlakeFact or Fiction

Was Justin the first to be Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher? Did Britney really blame him for her meltdown? Did his bandmates think he was gay?

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.