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Gary Driscoll

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Instruments
  
Drums

Years active
  
1967-1987


Name
  
Gary Driscoll

Role
  
Drummer

Gary Driscoll image2findagravecomphotos250photos201387195

Born
  
18 April 1946 (
1946-04-18
)

Associated acts
  
Died
  
June 8, 1987, Ithaca, New York, United States

Albums
  
Ritchie Black's Rainbow, Live Between the Eyes, Burning at the Speed of Light

Music groups
  
Rainbow (1975), Bible Black (1980 – 1985)

Genres
  
Rock music, Rhythm and blues

Similar People
  
Micky Lee Soule, Craig Gruber, David Stone, Tony Carey, Jimmy Bain

gary driscoll tribute


John Gary Driscoll (18 April 1946 – 8 June 1987) was an American R&B-style rock drummer who performed in a number of successful bands from the 1960s until his death on June 10, 1987.

Contents

He first entered the music scene when he joined Ronnie Dio and The Prophets in June 1965, fronted by Ronnie James Dio. The band transformed into The Electric Elves, The Elves, and finally Elf in 1969, releasing a few singles along the way. They were eventually discovered by Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover who went on to produce two of Elf's three studio albums.

Elf disbanded in 1975 when Gary Driscoll, Ronnie James Dio, Micky Lee Soule (Elf's keyboardist), and Craig Gruber (their bassist) were recruited by Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore to form the rock band Rainbow.

Driscoll was dismissed from Rainbow shortly after their debut album, entitled Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, was recorded. It is speculated that firing Gary was simply due to his R&B style of drumming, which did not sit well with Blackmore. Driscoll was later replaced with British hard rocker, Cozy Powell.

After his departure from Rainbow, Driscoll played in the band Dakota (1978–1980, from Scranton, Pa. formally the Jerry Kelly Band), before starting Bible Black with Craig Gruber, future Blue Cheer guitarist Duck McDonald and singer Jeff Fenholt. This band released the albums Ground Zero and, with a few other musicians, Thrasher, neither of which sold well. Driscoll found a day job, and made a little extra money on the side as a session musician.

Driscoll was found dead in a friend's home in Ithaca, New York in June 1987 at the age of 41. His brutal murder remains unsolved with no apparent motive, although it is rumored to have been drug related. The man initially arrested for the crime was acquitted at trial. There have been leads in the case, and the person of interest has fled the country.

Gary driscoll live at the circus tavern 2013


References

Gary Driscoll Wikipedia


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