Gary Driscoll

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Gary Driscoll (1946 to 1987) was an American R&B style rock drummer who performed in a number of successful bands from the 1960s until his violent death in 1987.

Very little is known about his past or why he decided take up drums and pursue a career in rock n roll, but we do know that he joined The Electric Elves in 1967, fronted by Ronnie James Dio.

The Electric Elves transformed into The Elves then later Elf, when they were discovered by Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover who went on to produce at least two of Elf's three studio albums.

Elf fell apart when Driscoll, Dio, Mickey Lee Soule (Elf's keyboardist) and Craig Gruber (their bassist) were recruited by Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore to form Rainbow.

Driscoll was kicked out of Rainbow after their debut album was recorded. It is said that his firing was simply due to his R & B style of drumming, which did not sit well with Blackmore who replaced Driscoll with veteran hard rocker Cozy Powell.

After his departure from Rainbow, Driscoll played in Dakota, Star Castle and Bible Black.

Gary Driscoll was discovered murdered in his home in Ithaca, NY in 1987. His brutal murder, where he was apparently found hacked to death, remains unsolved with no motive, though rumored to have been drug related.

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