The Rainbow Bridge story began in 2002 when Mike Price-Jones attended an audition for a blues project at a rehearsal room outside Caernarfon and met Mark Patterson, who was the guitarist in the band. A bond was quickly established when Mark started playing Jimi Hendrix licks during a break and Mike leapt at the chance to play along. The blues project never got off the starting blocks, but this failure prompted Mike and Mark to form Rainbow Bridge.

 

MEMBERS

 

MIKE - started playing in an era when Jimi Hendrix was at his peak and has played in a large number of bands of differing musical styles over the years. However, he has always come back to his rock/blues roots. Mike is a superb drummer and says of Rainbow Bridge ‘’this is probably the best little old band I have ever played in. I love the material we play and I love the other guys in the band’’. Mike plays either a DW or double bass drum Mapex Saturn kit, depending on the venue. He uses Zildjian and custom Meinl cymbals.

 

MARK - emigrated to beautiful North Wales from Manchester ‘’when I were just a lad’’.....or so he says! He probably got pissed one night, couldn’t find his way home and decided to stay. Like Mike, Mark’s true love, apart from his ever-patient missus, is playing Jimi Hendrix. Mark is one of the most talented guitarists in the country, and has often said that Rainbow Bridge is his spiritual home so he is here for the duration. Mark plays a classic and much modified Stratocaster copy through a vintage Marshall amp and speakers. The effects pedals he uses are few in number, but the sounds he generates speak for themselves.

 

KEITH - joined Rainbow Bridge in 2008 and is the final piece of the jigsaw, not only pounding out solid bass lines but also providing lead vocals for the band. Keith has a reputation for never passing a music shop without buying a bass guitar, so putting down in writing what he plays is a waste of time as it may change next week! However, his current favourite is a sunburst Fender Jazz, which he plays through a Boss multi-effects unit and Warwick/Hartke bass rig.