Eventually Graham Bonnet was selected to become the new Rainbow vocalist, replacing Ronnie Dio.They were still looking for a bass player and Bonnet was reported to say "what the hell's going on here, why don't we get Rog to do it, it would be better?". Thus the new lin up of Rainbow was finalised! and 'Down to Earth' was recorded

This was a two night performance by The Stranglers. Their singer, Hugh Cornwell, had been busted and imprisoned and an all-star band was put together to play in protest. The artists of the day included John Ellis (Vibrators/Peter Gabriel Band) who filled in most of the guitar work. (He was later to become a permanent member of the band when Hugh left in coming years). Toyah Wilcox and Hazel O'Connor tried their best up upstage one another, with the more visual Toyah coming out just about on top. But it was Ian Dury who stole the show with great versions of 'Peaches' and 'Bear Cage', while Richard Jobson (The Skids) showed us that he really couldn't dance to save his life, but could sing 'Bring On The Nubiles'. Billy Idol came on stage with all the artists during the encore, after not contributing anyway, and was promptly put on his arse by JJ Burnel (bass and black belt judo). Two strippers were also called upon, and dressed as Policeman & Woman, the show came to an end.

Stranglers Temporary line-up:
Vocals: Toyah Wilcox - 'Peaches', 'Duchess', 'Bear Cage' and 'Something Better Change'.
Hazel O'Connor - 'Get A Grip', 'Hanging Around', 'Peaches' and 'Bear Cage'.
Nicky Tesco (The Members) - 'Nice 'N' Sleazy'.
Phil Daniels - 'Toiler' and 'Dead Loss Angeles'.
Peter Hammill (Van Der Graaf Generator) - 'Tank' and 'The Raven'.
Jake Burns (Stiff Little Fingers) - 'Down In The Sewer'.
Ian Dury (Blockheads) - 'Peaches' and 'Bear Cage'
Richard Jobson (The Skids) - 'Bring On The Nubiles'.
Guitar: Wilko Johnson (Dr. Feelgood)
Robert Fripp (King Crimson)
Robert Smith (Cure & The Banshees)
Steve Hillage
Basil Gabbidon (Steel Pulse)
Larry Wallace
John Turnball (Blockheads).
Keyboards: Matthieu Hartley (The Cure)
Sax: Nick Turner (Hawkwind)
Davey Payne (Blockheads)
Rhythms: Steel Pulse.

Iron Maiden, Praying Mantis,

15th -19th July

22nd - 26th July

29th - 30th July

1st/2nd August

The third, and least successful stage show was held at the Rainbow Theatre in London, in July 1980. This was the second production directed by Ken Campbell. The Rainbow Theatre had been adapted for stagings of rock operas in the 1970s, and both reference books mentioned in footnotes indicate that this, coupled with incidental music throughout the performance, caused some reviewers to label it as a "musical". This was the first adaptation for which Adams wrote the "Dish of the Day" sequence. The production ran for over three hours, and was widely panned for this, as well as the music, laser effects, and the acting. Despite attempts to shorten the script, and make other changes, it closed three or four weeks early (accounts differ), and lost a lot of money. Despite the bad reviews, there were at least two stand out performances: Michael Cule and David Learner both went on from this production to appearances in the TV adaptation.

The cast included : Roger Blake (the Narrator), Kim Durham (Arthur), David Brett (Ford), Jude Alderson (Trillian), John Terence and Nicolas D'Avirro (Zaphod) and David Learner (Marvin).

LEWIS COWEN writes” As time went on we moved from the rehearsal room into the Rainbow itself. Originally built as a cinema, it seats over 3,000 and is the size of the A380's hangar. The sets were of proportionate size and the costumes were designed by a big fashion designer of whom I had never heard and boffins who built creatures for Dr Who. I was particularly fond of my Vogon costume, which looked like a cross between a Disney dragon and Kenneth Clarke. Among the other parts I played were the builder who knocks Arthur Dent's house down, Slartibartfast, the designer of the Earth computer, and a space policeman who doesn't enjoy killing people but does it all the same. But the part for which I created the template, as immortalised in the book, is Max Quordlepleen, the master of ceremonies at Milliways, the Restaurant at the End of the Universe. I played it as a sort of south London Hughie Green and was dressed in a gold lamé suit.
My agent came to see the show on its horrendous first night. I phoned her the next day and she said she had stayed awake through the whole thing, which was something of an accolade. She said: "I thought everyone was OK, except for that chap in the gold suit. God!" I said: "That was me." She said: "You were brilliant!"
Whatever you say about agents, they are nothing if not loyal.”

Yes

Billed as "Glitter over Christmas"