Long Live Rock 'n' Roll

Long Live Rock 'n' Roll was produced by Martin Birch at the Strawberry Studio in the Chateau d'Herouville in France. The infobox gives recording as May to July and December 1977, while the article's background says it began in April 1977. Blackmore played guitar and the bass on several tracks, Bob Daisley the bass on three, David Stone and Tony Carey the keyboards, and Rainer Pietsch scored and conducted the Bavarian String Ensemble. Recording paused after seven tracks were demoed by July 1977, Daisley and Stone were recruited, a European tour followed, and December sessions finished the album and produced "Gates of Babylon". The Highway Star notes that it took almost a year, against barely over a month combined for the two earlier albums.

"Long Live Rock 'n' Roll" (March 1978) and "L.A. Connection" (September 1978) were the singles. It reached number seven in the United Kingdom and 89 in the United States, and was certified silver by the BPI. AllMusic's Geoff Ginsberg called it the last great album Rainbow would ever make, and Martin Popoff gave it nine out of ten. It is often cited as an influence on power metal. A 2012 deluxe edition includes a July 1977 rough mix of "Kill the King" and an August 1977 rehearsal.