When you speak of real classic rock legends, Larry ‘Rhino’ Reinhardt, founder of legendary ’70s rock group Captain Beyond and former member of heavy metal prototypes Iron Butterfly, is a firmly established constituent of this elite group.
Guitarist, songwriter and producer Larry “Rhino” Reinhardt started in the Georgia based bands The Load (1967-69) and The Second Coming (1969-70), with Dickey Betts and Berry Oakley, who went on to help form The Allman Brothers Band. Rhino would join Iron Butterfly in late 1969, and recorded the highly acclaimed ‘Metamorphosis’ album as well as touring with the band worldwide. After Iron Butterfly split at the end 1971, Rhino wasted no time and formed Captain Beyond, together with Lee Dorman (bass) from Iron Butterfly, Rod Evans (vocals) from Deep Purple and Bobby Caldwell (drums) from Johnny Winter. Captain Beyond was called a super group, given that pedigree and skills of the individual members. Their first self-titled album left the world breathless and continues to sell, being an influence of a whole new generation of bands. Rhino‘s unique guitar playing and songwriting skills can be heard on all three Captain Beyond albums: the first, self titled album ‘Captain Beyond’ (1972) and their second album ‘Sufficiently Breathless‘ (1973) were released on Capricorn, while their third album ‘Dawn Explosion‘, released on Warner Bros. In 1977. The first two Captain Beyond albums are considered ‘classics’ and have been since remastered and reissued on CD.
Rhino made some selected guest appearances through the years: he appeared on two Bobby Womack songs,“Don‘t Let Me Down” and “I Don‘t Want To Get Hurt By Your Love Again” from ‘Lookin’ For A Love Again’ album (United Artists 1974). The Robert Tepper album ‘No Rest For The Wounded Heart’ was released in 1996, having been recorded in 1991 as Iron Butterfly. After Captain Beyond split in 1977, Rhino formed his own band Rhino in 1979, which included former Tucky Buzzard singer Jimi Henderson. The band toured the US in support of Stephen Stills. Through the years, Rhino has been in several reformed versions of Iron Butterfly with Lee Dorman (1978, 80, 84, 89 and 92), that also included original lead vocalist Doug Ingle (1978, 84), drummer Ron Bushy (1978, 92) and guitarist Erik Keith Brann (1989). In 1998 he reformed Captain Beyond with original drummer Bobby Caldwell. After a fantastic debut at Sweden Rock Festival in 1999, sharing the stage with Deep Purple, Dio and Budgie, Captain Beyond recorded an EP, that contains the potential hit “Don’t Cry Over Me”. Unfortunately, due to management issues, Captain Beyond was discontinued in 2002. Rhino then joined Blue Swamp in 2003 also playing selected shows locally with Rhino & Doss.
In August 2008 Rhino Reinhardt released his first solo album in Florida, called ‘Rhino’s Last Dance‘. The CD received critical acclaim, but, due to distribution problems the CD was hard to obtain. Unsupported by management he pondered what to do, and then in early 2010 Dicky Betts sudden retirement opened the door to get together with old friends, Mike Koch (keyboards), Frankie Lombardi (drums), Pedro Arevalo (bass) and Don Bonzi (guitar) from Dicky Betts band Great Southern. Rhino formed Rhino and the Possie and a lot of songs and a new concept started a new album ‘Back in the Day’ based on the idea of music that was familiar sounding but with a fresh new approach.
Rhino says, “We will just have see what the fans have to say about it. If the concept is not misunderstood, we just may have a winner here!!!”
Rhino and the Posse ‘Back in the Day’ CD can be purchased through www.rldrecords.com
