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Born in Skegness, Lincolnshire, England, Graham like most other English-born musicians was influenced by The Beatles. Along with the British invasion, Graham was also influenced by many United States artists such as Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly and many other legendary blues singers.
Graham's first single with The Marbles "Only One Woman" penned by the Bee Gees found great success with a top 5 hit in the UK and throughout Europe. The Marbles went on to release follow up singles from the same album. Graham went on to experiment with other creative avenues including acting and commercials. Realizing his first love was singing, he cut his first solo album in 1977 "Graham Bonnet". Even though it only reached medium success in the UK, it achieved Gold status in Australia and experienced similar success in Europe as well as in Japan.
In 1979 Ritchie Blackmore sought out Graham to audition for Rainbow's new frontman position. Rainbow had already auditioned 60 people. Graham was asked to sing "Mistreated" and was hired on the spot. With his James Dean image, the choice of Bonnet to replace Ronnie James Dio was subject to some questions. However, once Bonnet was heard there were no more questions or concerns. The "Down to Earth" album was one of Rainbow's most successful albums.
1981 saw Graham resume his solo career, and with the release of "Night Games", which had a 6 hit in England, Graham craved to become a band member again and joined the Michael Schenker Group and was reunited with long time friend Cozy Powell. After recording "Assault Attack", Graham returned to Los Angles to form the band Alcatrazz which produced guitar greats Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai. Alcatrazz cut several albums before disbanding. After a short stint with Impellitteri, Forcefield and Blackthorne, Graham has returned to record the solo album "Underground" (1996) and he released his latest solo album "The Day I Went Mad" in 1999.
The year 2000 was a very active year for Graham. He participated in the reunion of Anthem, the top heavy metal band in Japan, released the album "Heavy Metal Anthem", and toured Japan with the band. Also in 2001, he re-joined the recording of new Impellitteri album called "System X", while he also toured the UK and Spain with Don Airey (Bonnet/Airey Band). Graham and Dario Mollo have formed a new project called "Elektric Zoo" and they have toured Europe and the UK.
From 2002-2006, he joined recordings of new albums of Iain Ashley Hersey, Michael Schenker Group, Moonstone Project. Also vigorously toured the UK, Spain, Austria, Italy, Finland, Estonia, Sweden, Russia, Lithuania and played a number of gigs in California too.
In 2006 Graham formed new Alcatrazz with Howie Simon (guitar), Tim Luce (bass) and Glen Sobel (drums) and in next year completed successful tour in Japan, teaming up with his successor in Rainbow Joe Lynn Turner.
In January 2009 Graham joined Savage Paradise, the studio project put together by Mario Parga.
Savage Paradise is: Mario Parga (guitar), Graham Bonnet (vocals), Kevin Valentine (drums), Tim Luce (bass) and Eric Ragno (keyboards).
Graham continues to tour all around the world to see you all....
Please note that this page is not moderated by Graham Bonnet, although he does read all your comments.
Graham Bonnet (Official Site)'s Friend Space (Top 16)
Hello dude. just got email from bonnetrocks. welcome to FINLAND once again. i'll come to see you 3 times(i dont like imatra, people there sucks). my av with you is from imatra anyway...so i do know what it is. see ya...THANKS
TO THE MOST ORGINAL VOICE I EVER HEARD THE 1ST TIME I HEARD HIS VOICE ON RAINBOW LP SINCE YOU BEEN GONE ROCKED THE RADIO AIR WAVE'S FOR EVER A LIVING LEDGEND GRAHAM BONNET I SALUTE YOU BROTHER PEACE FROM THE POWERFULL DOUBLE BASS MANIAC OF NYC LOUIE GUNZ LOOK FOR ME SOON ON TOUR WITH A NEW BAND CALLED CIRCLE OF THORNS WWW.MYSPACE.COMCIRCLEOFTHORNSMUSIC
