Elf (band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Founder | Ronnie James Dio, Doug Thaler, Gary Driscoll, Nick Pantas, David Feinstein |
| Defunct | 1975 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Elf was a rock group from the United States, established in 1967 by vocalist and bassist Ronnie James Dio,[1] keyboard player Doug Thaler,[2] drummer Gary Driscoll,[1] along with guitarists Nick Pantas[2] and David Feinstein[1] (who was Dio's cousin).[2] Initially named the Electric Elves,[1] the band shortened their name to the Elves in 1968, eventually adopting the title Elf in 1972.[2] After releasing three albums, the group dissolved in 1975, with most members moving on to join the newly formed Rainbow.[1]
History
The band originated in 1967,[2] evolving from Ronnie Dio and the Prophets as they incorporated keyboardist Doug Thaler under the moniker the Electric Elves. In February 1968, tragedy struck when guitarist Nick Pantas died in a car accident,[2] leading Thaler to transition from keyboards to guitar and prompting the addition of Mickey Lee Soule on keyboards.[2] Following his departure from Elf in 1972, Thaler pursued a career as a booking agent, including representing Elf.
Elf’s first album was produced by Deep Purple members Roger Glover[1] and Ian Paice,[2] who discovered the band during an audition in 1972.[2] The group enjoyed moderate exposure by opening for Deep Purple.[2]
Initially, Dio performed both vocals and bass until Craig Gruber joined as bassist after the debut album.[2] In August 1973, Feinstein exited the band and was succeeded by Steve Edwards.[2] The band’s sophomore release, Carolina County Ball, arrived in 1974. That same year, Dio lent his voice to Glover’s solo project, The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast, which caught the attention of Deep Purple’s guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. Blackmore enlisted members of Elf for his solo endeavor, culminating in the creation of Rainbow in early 1975.[1] Although Elf was in the process of recording their third album, Trying to Burn the Sun, they disbanded after its completion. The album was issued in the United States in June 1975.
In 1980, Feinstein went on to establish the heavy metal trio the Rods.
Despite discussions about reuniting from the late 1980s onward, no official reunion took place. Three former members have since died: Driscoll (1987), Dio (2010), and Gruber (2015).
Personnel
- Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals (1967–1975; deceased 2010), bass guitar (1967–1973)
- Gary Driscoll – drums and percussion (1967–1975; deceased 1987)
- David Feinstein – lead guitar (1967–1973)
- Doug Thaler – keyboards (1967–1972), rhythm guitar (1968–1972)
- Nick Pantas – rhythm guitar (1967–1968; deceased)
- Micky Lee Soule – keyboards and backing vocals (1968–1975)
- Craig Gruber – bass guitar (1973–1975; deceased 2015)
- Steve Edwards – guitar (1973–1975)
- Mark Nauseef – percussion (1975)
Timeline
Singles
- "Hey, Look Me Over" / "It Pays to Advertise" (1967) – released as the Electric Elves
- "Walking in Different Circles" / "She's Not the Same" (1969) – released as the Elves
- "Amber Velvet" / "West Virginia" (1970) – released as the Elves
Studio albums
- Elf (1972)
- Carolina County Ball (1974)
- Trying to Burn the Sun (1975)
Compilations and bootleg recordings
- Live at the Beacon (1971) – released under the name the Elves (bootleg)
- Live at the Bank (1972) – issued as the Elves (bootleg)
- Live! And My Soul Shall Be Lifted (1973) (bootleg)
- The Gargantuan Elf Album (1978), a compilation combining the 1974 and 1975 releases
- Ronnie James Dio: The Elf Albums (1991), a collection encompassing the 1974 and 1975 albums
- And Before Elf... There Were Elves (2011) – credited to the Elves, featuring a dozen tracks from the 'Live at the Bank' bootleg.