Gary Driscoll (1946 to 1987) was an American R&B style rock drummer who performed in a number of successful bands (including Electric Elves, Elf, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, Dakota, Starcastle and Bible Black) from the 1960s until his violent death in 1987.



Gary Driscoll first entered the music scene when he joined The Electric Elves in 1967, fronted by Ronnie James Dio. The band transformed into The Elves, and then 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 at least two of Elf's three studio albums.



Elf disbanded in 1975 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.



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



After his departure from Rainbow, Gary Driscoll played in the bands Dakota and Star Castle, 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 muisicians, Thrasher, neither of which sold well. Driscoll found a day job, and made a little extra money on the side as a session musician.



Gary Driscoll was discovered murdered in his home in Ithaca, New York in early June, 1987 at the age of 41. His brutal murder, where he was allegedly found hacked to death, remains unsolved with no motive, though rumored to have been drug related and/or being part of an occult killing.