What Happened to the 70's Rock Band ELF with RONNIE JAMES DIO? ⭐ A Story of Tragedy & Triumph

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

ELF is not as hard as any of the bands Ronnie James Dio would be a member of later in his career and I first bought them to explore his legacy further, but honestly, they have grown on me. Not for everyone, I admit, but I like them 🤘

[@raphaelmerriman4901]

I think the fact Elf wasn't as heavy as Rainbow (who, in turn, weren't as heavy as Black Sabbath) is testament to the talent of Dio, that he could easily deliver impeccable work in any and all of the bands he graced.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

@@raphaelmerriman4901 He's a legend for a reason, Raphael, you are right about that, every band he played in benefited from the mastery of his skills 🤘

[@grimdrum2396]

I've heard stories of Driscoll being involved with drug dealings. This is what supposedly led to his murder.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

The two main theories are just that, Colombian drug dealers making an example or some cult ritual, apparently it was pretty gruesome

[@chrishartzler9877]

check out Ronnie and the prophets around 1962ish .. u never heard a clean cut Ronnie sing classic covers in a doo wop style? It’s a young Ronnie but u can hear his voice or rather his voice adolescence .. several covers n couple singles .. musics great .. blew me away but it’s great to see where such a legend came from!

[@Roman-od3iy]

Never More by Elf should have been a hit. Very good song and his vocal range is incredible.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

I agree, that should have been the single that they released 🤘

[@tomholbrook2948]

I met Ronnie during the Sacred heart tour. We talked about ELF, Rainbow,... He took my info and sent me Christmas cards for a couple of years. Ronnie was a true class act

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing Tom, I agree, RJD was a true class act 🤘

[@jhall2224]

I've got the Elf albums to this day, along with all of Ronnie's bands he was in. RIP Ronnie, you are legend!

[@joemama22]

I saw ELF at the Long Beach arena in CA around 1974. The lineup was ELF, ELO and Deep Purple. Unforgettable.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Three great bands on that bill 🤘

[@mez5590]

Me too!

[@thomassblaquelourde9298]

I was there my brother!!!

[@rozzgrey801]

Should have been ELF, ELO and ELP.

[@R-Barchetta]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I enjoyed learning more about the band. I recognized the name when Iwent for a deeper dive into Ronnie James Dio's back catalog, but don't remember ever hearing the music. I have enjoyed listening to ELF, including the older music under The Electric Elves and just plain Elves. If you want to hear how beautiful Ronnie's voice is, search out the tracks he did for Roger Glover's Butterfly Ball and the Grasshoppers Feast. He did 3 tracks that I'm aware of: Sitting in a Dream, Love is All, and Homeward.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks, Rachel, for the recommendations and the kind words, much appreciated 🤘

[@craigwood6931]

I bought the first Elf album back in 1972 simply because I was intrigued by the cover. I had no idea who they were or what they sounded like but upon first listen I knew Ronnie was a major talent. Always kept a look out for them and bought LA 59 and Trying To Burn the Sun when I saw them in the record bins. Loved all three albums and still have them to this day. Thanks for doing this video and bringing some attention to this highly underrated band.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thank you, Craig, for stopping by and leaving your comment, much appreciated 🤘

[@johnrehbein2042]

Craig Gruber was my Uncle by marriage. I used to spend alot of time with my cousins in Cortland and I can remember him looking like he does in these pictures and playing his base in his parents living room. His sister was my Aunt Pam and when she passed away, he came up to NY for her memorial and jammed Man on The Silver Mountain with my cousin Joe's band. Joe is a drummer. Craig was the most humble guy ever and VERY funny. He has us all in stitches all night. RIP Uncle Craig!!

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing your personal comment, John. Sorry about the loss of your uncle, he definitely left his mark on the world of Hard Rock and he sounds like a great guy and uncle 🤘

[@robulusx2]

I graduated in 1976 from Homer High School and we always said that Craig was from Homer too.

[@johnrehbein2042]

@@robulusx2 Yeah, I believe his family lived in both towns at some point. My Aunt has a picture of my cousin Joe sitting on Dio's lap when he was a baby. The whole band stayed with them during the early years

[@robulusx2]

@@johnrehbein2042 I was also an acquaintance of Dave Feinstein who did business with my grand parents and I had met many times as a teenager. Later my gramma would take us to Dave's eating establishment and it was fantastic. When Rock Hard was released Dave gave my gramma a copy for me, and she mailed it to Oregon my new home. On a side note I saw Elf playing without Dio at the NORML concert in Dundee 1976, I think Dave may have rejoined with the others briefly.

[@marcribaudo1965]

Cool episode as always. Your easy laid back voice is just what I needed today. I loved Dio. One of the top singers ever and I never heard his voice break even at his last performance ever. I saw them at The House Of Blues in Atlantic.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks, Marc 🤘

[@ClaytonCountyHistoryHound]

Really enjoyed this one. Like hearing about the roots of different bands and members. Thanks for sharing and take care ✌️ 🤘

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

You're most welcome CCHH, thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend 🤘

[@gregpowell4930]

I loved Elf! Thank you for these insights!!After being introduced to their first album by a friend, I anxiously awaited the next two. The third one was my favorite. Loved Ronnie’s voice, and followed his career, kinda proud that I had followed him before he became famous. Loved the first three Rainbow albums as well. Only saw him perform once; at The Ballard Firehouse in Seattle in 2000. What a singer!

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing your comment, Greg 🤘

[@stefanveatch2]

Dio signed my Trying to burn the sun album.--Thank you Ronnie.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

That is awesome, Stefan, a real treasure for sure 🤘

[@stefanveatch2]

@@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock Thanks. Dio seemed to live the part. He cared about his fans. I used to haul haz-mat chemicals all over the country. I had a delivery to a paper mill in Cortland NY. It was off of DIO WAY. I asked the guys at the plant and they pointed his house out to me on the corner of DIO WAY. I never knew he grew up next to a paper mill/chemical plant. He never complained about that sort of thing. It was a tiny home, but it looked really nice. ---You wonder about the chemical exposure. I guess we always need something to blame for untimely deaths. ---I think some of those guys from the plant grew up with him. Their eyes kind of lit up when I asked about the street. He must be some kind of legend in tiny Cortland NY.

[@magistersteveperkins]

Digging back into the Elf catalogue, and from the distance of fifty years, it’s hard to see why they didn’t have the success of similar bands. Very solid, bluesy rock.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

I agree, Steve. It's not as hard as anything DIO did from Rainbow and on, but on it's on merit it's still good stuff 🤘

[@jizzythefroggy1108]

Speaking of Bluesy, How about Bluesy Blue Sea by Ian Gillan?

[@notgivennotgiven7776]

I saw them in 75 where they opened up for Deep Purple, and ELO in Cleveland. Blackmore introduced them. That was an awesome concert. Yeah. Peace

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing 🤘

[@johnminarik3442]

Mickey Lee's honky tonk piano work on the first album is perfect. Love the first album and miss that sound.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

He was spot on, John, thanks for sharing 🤘

[@cjg8604]

"If you don't like rock and roll" is a great song

[@chuckm6592]

Saw what would become Ronnie's last life perfomance at the House of Blues in Atlantic City on August 29, 2009, singing with Heaven and Hell. Was a great show as usual. Was still sounding amazing, but a few short months later, he was diagnosed with cancer and in May 2010, he was taken from us.

[@raysalsa1]

Trying to burn the sun has a great mix of tracks IMO! My 3 favorites being 1) streetwalker 2)when she smiles 3)prentice wood. Ronnie and the redcaps recorded at riposo studios on seneca records here in my hometown syracuse, ny around 1961. There aren't enough words to praise how good of a musician, vocalist, and person DIO was. Thanks for some of the details about ELF i wasn't aware of. Great video golden age of hard rock!

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thank you, RaySalsa 🤘

[@davedumond9268]

Thanks for great retrospect on Elf. I grew up in Binghamton, NY and remember seeing Elf at the nearby Inferno rock club and The Warehouse. I swear I saw them return to play in Ithaca around 1978-79 but maybe wrong - I know David Feinstein was in whatever band it was. Great memories. Maybe someone else will remember...

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing, the shows you must have seen, growing up there 🤘

[@michaelmichaels138]

i just assumed they were making toys at the North Pole now.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

This would be the ELF in a Santa movie made by Quentin Tarantino 🤣🤘

[@larryboyle1249]

✌️😁👍

[@balloonmarsupials4259]

Well done!

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks BM 🤘

[@johnneely3160]

Elf's 1st album has always been one of my favorites. An old girl friend from the early 70's took it from her brother and let me listen to it and I still have it. Now I have the CD and still play it.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Never underestimate the power of memories of former girlfriends and Rock 🤣🤘

[@J0HNJ0RDAN]

Deep Purple MkII were the most musically proficient lineup I've ever seen. Blackmore and Lord were like two sides of the same coin, Gillan had the voice of a Valkyrie, Paice and Glover provided the perfect pocket for it all to move in. Made in Japan is easily the greatest live album ever! All opinions, I know... but THE right ones! 😂

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing, JJ, I love 'Made in Japan' 🤘

[@kurtsherrick2066]

No doubt Made In Japan is the Measure of what a Live Album should be. I can listen to it over and over.

[@bartrobinson2103]

I agree one hundred percent

[@doughsnakes]

I have the first Elf album on vinyl. Haven't listened to it since the 80s. Going to have to listen again. Great video - I enjoyed it. Thanks

[@g-pa-Rok-n-Tok]

I like how you always do your work on these mini docs! Always very informative. I got to see Purple on the Stormbringer tour, and Elf was the opener. To be honest I hadn't heard of them. I was just a 14 yr old Backstreet Kid, lol. Funny, almost a year after that gig, I saw them on the first Rainbow tour. I ended up seeing Ronnie one more time with Rainbow, once with Sabbath, and the Holy Diver tour. I was lucky the town I grew up in got gigs. Now I'm ramblin, lol. ☮️🤘🤙

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks, G-pa! I'm envious of your track record of seeing RJD five times, that's impressive, not too many people can say they saw him front all four of those bands 🤘

[@g-pa-Rok-n-Tok]

@@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock pure luck brah! Location, Location, Location

[@smmusicplus96]

Another awesome band from the criminally overlooked central New York.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing your comment SMMP 🤘

[@georgebressler8893]

Fantastic job on this video. I loved the first ELF album and still have it on vinyl. I never knew there were other albums. Their first effort would be one of my top three albums on a desert island; followed by A Nod is as good as a wink/Faces and anything by Alvin Lee. THX AGAIN SIR...Brilliant

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for the kind words, George 🤘

[@TubetakerBHV]

I love all 3 of the Elf albums. Great hard rock songs, combined with a boogie woogie piano and Dios amazing voice.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing TubeTaker 🤘

[@bobthebear1246]

My first video of yours!! Won't be the last. Great job!! Subscribing now. 🤘🏻

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks, Bob 🤘🤘

[@ROCKGRINDER12]

I like Ronnie James Dio on some of his solo "Dio" band projects, my most beloved hard rock 'n' roll/heavy metal band of all time is RAINBOW (only with Dio on vocals), and of course, BLACK SABBATH, as both bands took a high level of heavy sound when Dio was their frontman; ELF was a great hard rock and roll band, and the trampoline for DIO to put him on the pedestal of one of the mightiest metal voices in rock and roll history.

[@vicprovost2561]

I saw Elf open for Aerosmith and Deep Purple in 1974 in Hartford. Dio was impressive already and the rest is history.Great concert.

[@raymondcote2913]

I was there too, in front.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

That's a nice line-up, Vic 🤘

[@vicprovost2561]

@@raymondcote2913 I thought they could hear Deep Purple in New Haven once Richie got going, great show, awesome memory!

[@brianholmon4346]

Ronnie is and always will be incredible his Vocals still ring throughout the untire Universe in my opinion a totally and truly gifted talent that lives on forever Musically God bless.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your comment, Brian 🤘

[@carlrush7109]

We hosted Ronnie with Ronnie Dio and the Prophets at frat parties in the late 60s, when they became the Electric Elves. They were an excellent party band!

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

I can only imagine... RJD playing frat parties! 🤘

[@Challender]

Ricky, Thank You.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

You’re welcome, Eric, but I’ve got to say ThanK You for watching and supporting the channel. Hope you’re having a great weekend 🤘

[@michaelhayes5316]

Thanks just loved the video long live rock.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thank you, Michael, your comment is much appreciated 🤘

[@moneygooddude]

I'm glad they put ELF on the shelf!

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

It definitely led to better things as they say 🤘

[@mikestarmer3121]

I just wanted to update you on some things. Mickey Lee was not fired from Rainbow , he quit and is still recording and writing music.Gary Driscoll was not murdered by a satanic cult. And Stevie Edwards lives down south.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing the updates, Mike 🤘

[@cryptoking7093]

Liked and subscribed! Great video!

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks, CK, welcome to the family 🤘

[@JoeyP322]

Excellent job on this! I was never a fan of the first album cover or the band. The name of the second album wasn’t exactly hard hitting… When I found out about Elf, it was because Dio was singing for Rainbow. For some reason I remember the record store putting the Elf albums with the Rainbow albums. Keep up the awesome work!

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thank you, Joey 🤘

[@crusheverything4449]

They put the Elf records with Rainbow because the first Rainbow album is Elf with Ritchie Blackmore (minus ELF’s lead guitarist, Steve Edwards). This was obviously to inform the buyers of the little-known band, in the hopes people would buy it.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

@@crusheverything4449 Sounds like a good marketing strategy 🤘

[@ronbaker8383]

Have all in a 3cd elf package

[@vsavage_old_rockerz]

i loved the rods and knew not how they came about till now. peace.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing VZ 🤘

[@tikofthetoka5650]

Much respect for this video, thanks

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thank you, TT, it’s much appreciated 🤘

[@johnhermanson5249]

I was lucky enough to see ELF open for SLADE at NYS University @ Oneonta (?) in the early 70s. I also have all 3 of their albums on vinyl. Always liked LA 59, Annie New Orleans, Hootchie Kootchie Lady. A great part of rock history.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing, John. I never got a chance to see SLADE and I do regret that. CHEAP TRICK has credited them in a way for how they came up with their own name, saying that when they saw SLADE, they used every trick in the book... they then settled on CHEAP TRICK for a name 🤘

[@juniorjones9719]

great work dood

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thank you, JJ 🤘

[@rogercoles3973]

I tried to convince my older brother to take me to see Elf in 1972 at Dylan's stadium, Hartford Connecticut. They were opening for T. Rex. I was too young to drive then. I did see the early Rainbow shows and Dio's solo preformances.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for stopping by, Roger. I saw RJD twice, both times with Sabbath, once on the 'Heaven and Hell' tour and once on 'Mob Rules', I would have loved to have seen him on one of those Rainbow tours and of course, solo. On a side note, I did see 'Last in Line' just before the big shutdown with Vinny Appice and Vivian Campbell, good to see that they are trying to keep those songs from the first 3 Dio albums out there. For Vivian it must have been a shock, there was only about 100 people present while with Def Leppard he plays in front of thousands 🤘

[@timward4269]

I met Steve Edwards in Roanoke VA several years ago playing in a cover band called Wild Men From Borneo from Raleigh NC. We had him hang out at my buddy's apartment and I played a little guitar. He said "Wow, man. You're better than I am!!"(which isn't true). He never mentioned that he played in Elf and I didn't find out until several years later, after we fell out of touch.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing Tim 🤘

[@timward4269]

@@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock edited to include the name of the band

[@raphaelmerriman4901]

I discovered Elf in the 80s, when CCB and TtBtS were re-released. I bought TtBtS first and was shocked when I heard the opening piano sound (and not in a good way!), being a fan of RJD's better known work in Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and Dio. That said, I've always appreciated good musicianship, and the album quickly grew on me, as did CCB, once I'd acquired that (I didn't find a reasonably-priced copy of the debut album until relatively recently, and then got hold of And Before Elf... There Were Elves, which showcases The Elves, including David Feinstein on guitar. Now, nearly 40 years after first hearing Elf, they still get regular outings on my CD player.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Sounds like my experience also, Raphael. At first listen, I passed on it, but later it grew on me 🤘

[@raphaelmerriman4901]

@@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock I think we're both glad we gave it a second listen.

[@thevisionary2007]

I got them in the same order as you. My TtBtS was on cassette, and the first measures of Black Swampy Water had me thinking I was pranked! But as soon as I heard that familiar voice belting out "Hey-yay-Hey!" I knew it was going to be an experience!

[@raphaelmerriman4901]

@@thevisionary2007 My reaction exactly! Did they slip the wrong disc into the sleeve? After the initial shock (and, yes, I'll say it... the sense of utter betrayal), it quickly became obvious this was a brilliant piece of musical genius. I got them on vinyl, then cassette, and have them on CD now.

[@grimdrum2396]

They were popular in Pennsylvania in the 70's. Bar bands would cover songs off of the first album. I saw them in a small theater in Manheim PA, and also at Hershey arena opening for Deep Purple. Still love listening to the first album!

[@mez5590]

My first concert was Deep Purple, ELO and Elf…Stormbringer tour at the Long Beach Arena…

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

That’s an awesome first concert, Mark 🤘

[@thomassblaquelourde9298]

Awesome was there great. First mine was Derek and the Dominos

[@BlackPearlMusicVideos]

I opened the show for Elf in Rochester NY back in 1980. Great band!

[@briantimmons3424]

Penny Arcade?

[@MarkJohnson-qj6bp]

The first Elf album in 1972, in my opinion, is a classic of Rock & Blues. I wore out two copies in vinyl, still have a copy of it on CD, plus have it loaded onto my hard drive on my desktop. R.I.P. Ronald Padavona, A.K.A. Ronnie James Dio.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Same here, Mark, have it on CD and on my desktop 🤘

[@ryanblount4912]

great information brother. Long live Rock and Roll

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thank you, Ryan 🤘

[@wanghotangho5803]

It must have been Steve Edwards that gave me some guitar lessons back in the early 90’s. He told me he was in a band called Elf (which I had no clue about). I remember him looking like the Steve Edwards in Elf. If it was the same guy, he was in Orangeburg, SC at the time giving guitar lessons.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing, WT 🤘

[@sleboeu]

I bought the first Elf album cause of the cover. The first song Sit down honey was my favorite song but I liked the whole album. And was a big fan of Dio until that sad day he died.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing your comment, Steve 🤘

[@krisscanlon4051]

Ritchie and Dio plus Elf = Rainbow...great video BTW

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks, Kris 🤘

[@fredsrv]

I used to sneak in to the clubs like The Yellow Balloon & Uncle Sams to see ELF whenever they would come to town when I lived in Syracuse,N.Y, when I was a teenager! Good times!

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your comment 🤘

[@aidanmcguigan1724]

Such a shame, in musical circles ELF will always be a thing but they genuinely deserved a massive audience. There have been a lot of spin off references from artists about ELF, if someone sees this go check out ARK song "Trying to Burn the Sun". (Sung by Jorn Lande, as good as Dio himself)

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing Aidan, I’ll look it up 🤘

[@denisearmbruster7478]

Interesting info about Studio One in Doraville, GA. The amazing Atlanta Rhythm Section recorded there BEFORE SKYNYRD! They had a softer sound and were not Hard Rock. They were well known as the studio musicians ("The Rhythm Section") that Atlanta artists such as Billy Joe Royal (Down In The Boondocks, Hush), Tommy Roe (Dizzy) used waaaaay back in studio but also as their back up band for live performances! ARS originally was "The Candy Men" who were Roy Orbison's band back in the '60's. I am originally from Atlanta and at the age of 12 started going to concerts where Billy Joe Royal was featured, Tommy Roe, Joe South etc. It was an exciting time for all of us locals who saw our "hometown boys" have hit records! Then we saw ARS come into their own with their hit "Back Up Against The Wall"! As I got older, Hard Rock became my true love! Just a little ancient Rock'n'Roll History for you! Great video as ALWAYS!! KEEP ROCKING!!!!✌👌🤘👍

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Very interesting info, Denise, thanks for sharing. Now that it's Friday, I hope you have a great weekend also.

[@denisearmbruster7478]

@@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock Thank You!! You have a great weekend too!!

[@matthewg666]

Carolina County Ball was released in the US and Japan as LA/59. One of the, if not the last songs Dio ever recorded was "Metal Will Never Die" on David Feinstein's 2010 Bitten By The Beast album.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing those updates, Matthew 🤘

[@vernlapoint1528]

Ronnie Rules 🤘🤘

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Yes he does, Vern 🤘

[@mboyer68]

RJD was the best hard rock singer ever. I've played heaven and hell and stand up and shout albums on spotify probably 500 times. I saw him live once in the late 80s with the band Dio....i think. He is missed.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing your comment, Mike 🤘

[@cango5679]

great summary!

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks, Cango, much appreciated 🤘

[@thomassblaquelourde9298]

I also own all 3. ELF albums, a great band and had the privilege of seeing them open for Purple on the Stormbringer tour, Elf was the highlight I have never seen Blackmore so disinterested on to form Rainbow my all time favorite band

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

When you think about it, you really saw all of the members that it would take to represent DEEP PURPLE, ELF and RAINBOW being that ELF just morphed into RAINBOW with Ritchie 🤘

[@stratman2023]

The Electric Elves (first incarnation of ELF) played a New Year's Eve show in my home town in the late 60's. I remember them covering songs from the Beatles White Album.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing, JC! I wonder, was there any sign that you were watching what would become one of the greatest Rock singers in the business? 🤘

[@stratman2023]

The band was really powerful with great vocals and musicianship. This must have been 1968? My memory is a little foggy but RJD was not singing in a metal/hard rock voice that we later know him for. But it was amazing.

[@weilandiv8310]

It was during the Elf era that RJD picked up that Chivalry hardcover. It was his first book which didn't contain photos or images.

[@wendychan6679]

Elf was always a mystery to me. I have never heard their music or seen any of their records. They had some very talented musicians in that group and it is surprising that while Elf didn't succeed, the individual members did. I thought Rainbow Rising was awesome

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing Wendy, I do love me some ‘Rainbow Rising’ 🤘

[@wendychan6679]

@@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock I really liked the first track - Tarot Woman. Side 2 was absolutely awesome - Stargazer and Light in the Black. Vintage Blackmore. I think it was the best album of the year.

[@terryfisher8872]

I attended the Last In Line concert in Syracuse, NY at the Carrier Dome. The Mayor of the city stopped the show, took the stage with a mic and named that day Ronnie James Dio Day and marked it on the calendar. My fellow guitarist has the Trying To Burn the Sun album to this day. Great show, incredible vocalist and unique style.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing Terry 🤘

[@robertburdoff1789]

ha, the Rods were the first band I ever saw - they were the support act for Maiden on the number of the beast tour. Always thought Dio Era Sabs albums were some of their best work, huh, kinda ditto Rainbow too. Will have to make time to check out the Elf stuff.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing, Robert. RJD has quite the catalog for sure 🤘

[@thomaskelly6983]

Grew up with Elf in WNY, they played at one of our high school dances. Very popular band around the Olean NY area. I think their first album was great hard to believe they never made the big time because they were a lot better than some who did!

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Ain't that the truth, Thomas, I mean, it's Ronnie James Dio, c'mon people!

[@popeyesailor9571]

I saw Elf open for ELO and DP in SF 74. I was in 7th grade. My first rock concert.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Nice one! 🤘

[@arturslunga3415]

I am glad that Ronnie always has acknowledged the quality of his Rainbow albums, despite the fact that he didn't really like Ritchie as a person.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing that point, Artur 🤘

[@lisamorrison2149]

I had never heard of Elf. But being a fan of RJD, I looked the band up after viewing a Doc. about him. You gotta respect the humble beginnings and the journey Elf's band members embarked on. RIP RJD.🤘

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks, Lisa. I enjoyed researching this one. I'm amazed at how connected this band was to DEEP PURPLE. Of course, I always knew about RJD and Ritchie, but the other guys did a lot of stuff with the members of Purple also 🤘

[@justinparkerthewildwolf6394]

I love Dio, and rainbow are one of my favourite bands

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Same here, Justin, thanks for stopping by and sharing your comment 🤘

[@cuda426hemi]

Ancient guitar player here: Saw Elf back in the day opening for Deep Purple in Waterbury CT. Because of that I bought the LP - I remember the credit on it for the "Deep Cool Guys" Still have the LP and the ticket stubs, Before I moved to LA in '76 I saw everybody at the Palace in Waterbury CT from Badfinger to Purple to Queen (opening for Mott The Hoople), ZZ Top, Mahavishnu Orch, King Crimson, Black Oak Arkansas, Kansas, Pink Floyd debuted Dark Side...on and on....loudest band of all? Brownsville Station and their wall of SUNN amps. Then when I got to LA and later worked for Capitol - well - I saw even bigger bands - plus a lot of club bands (VH, Q Riot G & R etc) before they were signed. The tickets stubs keep my memories alive. Might be decades later but I'm GLAD you are giving Elf the Pub they should've got in the early 70s !!!! 🎸

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Man, you have seen some shows, I can only imagine the stories you could tell 🤘

[@cuda426hemi]

@@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock Just lucky to be a boomer - and have a bunch of knuckleheads in my gang that played - so we'd go to every show that came around SE CT. Forgot to mention Yes,Eagles and Edgar Winter and ELP at other CT venues besides Palace in Waterbury, there was Dillon Stadium and Yale Bowl too.. Tickets were $4.00 to $6.00. After '76 when I moved to LA it didn't let up - Cal Jam II, the Boss 3 times, the Stones w/Prince as opener(got booed); AC/DC.Who,Sabbath,Boston,Edgar, Montrose, and Pink Floyd doing the Wall @ the Sports Arena probably the most exclusive show I saw since they only did a handful of Wall shows - too expensive, not necessarily 'better' than the debut of Dark Side in CT but it sure was BIGGER. Good times and again Lucky because we don't choose when we are born. 🎹🎸

[@TheeRocker]

@@cuda426hemi Nice,,, Have a Sunn Beta Lead 2x12 sitting right here, and an Randall 100 RG ES 120 watt head 4x12 cab and they are both loud,, Never like the Sunn amp as much it's very Mid toned, rip your ears off, lol, but cuts right through about anything lol. The Randall handles many tones well right he right processing, many surprising compliments with the setup. Seen many of the concerts at the Notre Dame ACC and the Morris Civic Center in South Bend IN. I can't name them all, would take a while lol. But Sammy Hagar Red warming up for Boston was maybe one of the best. But so was Triumph with Grand Funk. Or Tesla with George Thorogood. Van Halen II tour, Bad Company, Nugent, even the DOobie Brothers last concert. OH yeah, and Journey, Brian Adams... Man 70's and 80's were a great time to be alive !!!

[@aoxomoxoanyc]

I saw them open for Slade at the Capitol Theater in Passaic NJ, May '73. Solid double bill.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

A great line-up 🤘

[@aoxomoxoanyc]

@@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock yes! ps yr channel is great.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

@@aoxomoxoanyc Thank you so much my friend 🤘

[@TacomaPaul]

ELF (Ronnie James Dio)...opened up, then ELO, and Deep Purple... in Seattle '74. And ELF. Urrrgh.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing, TP 🤘

[@Cincinnatus1869]

the short answer is : their singer left to join Rainbow. Some of the band did also,but Blackmore soon replaced them ( as is his habit) . He kept Dio though, which was the obvious thing to do

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Close, RJD didn't leave ELF though, it was a group decision to dissolve the band after 4 of the 5 band members all joined up with Blackmore for the debut RAINBOW album.

[@teec3557]

The 2nd and 3rd albums by ELF are very good. Personally I think Dio does some great singing and to me his voice suits ELF and Rainbow more than the heavy metal stuff

[@tomlowndes3710]

I remember ELF opening up for Uriah Heep in New York in the 70's

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Those were the days when the giants walked the earth... HEEP, PURPLE, SABBATH, ZEPPELIN 🤘

[@grobin3745]

Thank you for this nostalgic history of Dio! Although a huge fan of Dio, the Elf albums didn't really impress me...they and the previous bands/line-ups he formed lacked some secret ingredient...not his singing, but perhaps the writing and music...whatever it was, after 17 long years, Dio finally landed on the silver mountain with Rainbow...the rest is history. The Rods - Wild Dogs is an awesome album!

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing GR! My first take on the Elf albums was a pass but I will say that they eventually won me over and I do play them now and then. Of course not anywhere near the number of times that I play the stuff he did with Sabbath, Dio or Rainbow 🤘

[@rev.j.chriswallace642]

Love these albums by Elf - they are so outside everything else that Dio later joined.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

They really are, thanks for sharing JCW 🤘

[@impalaman9707]

Something about recording an album in the South gives that album a "southern rock" feel. The same year Elf recorded their debut album in Doraville, Epic sent another one of their bands, REO Speedwagon down to Nashville to record their second album, REO TWO, which also sounds REALLY SOUTHERN! But ELF was about as Yankee as Yankee gets, being all New York Italians and Jews and they sounded as southern as Skynyrd would a year later when they recorded in Doraville!

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Good point, there must be something in the water 🤣🤘

[@angelinathedrifter]

🤘👑 thanks

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thank you, Angelina 🤘

[@justinellison4117]

For any Dio/Sabbath/Rainbow/Elf fans: I inherited a bunch of vinyl, some autographed, some still unopened along with posters. Please hit me up if anyone is interested.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Sounds like a goldmine 🤘

[@renecuellar3078]

Oddly enough, Ronnie had mentioned to me when I met him on the Magica tour that after the tour would end, he was gonna put the final touches on the fourth and last Elf album with the remaining members. But nothing ever came out. Later Dio records came out along with the Heaven and Hell album and subsequent tour . Who knows if it sits in a vault somewhere. Also I recall coming across four or five songs that were by all accounts, unreleased officially that predated L.A. 59/ Carolina Country Ball. I had become friends with Craig Gruber and mentioned the tracks in conversation. He was totally interested and I sent them to him. Telling me he was unaware of the songs even existing he concluded that it must've been prior to him joining. Later they finally saw the light of day in the Before Elf There Were Elves compilation.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

I'm going to look that one up by the Elves, thanks for sharing, Rene 🤘

[@680x0]

I met Ronnie in 2008 on tour with Heaven and Hell, and asked him about a "Elf reunion tour"... he mentioned he'd been talking to his cousin about doing "something"... I think he did say something about another album, but I don't remember the details.

[@BeeLineEast]

I saw ELF in 1972. They were touring with Deep Purple at that time November 1972.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing, Michael 🤘

[@BeeLineEast]

@@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock You are welcome anytime.

[@dancalmpeaceful3903]

Folks - if you don't have it - Get the Dio double live at Donnington....it blisters.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

That it does 🤘

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

That it does 🤘

[@vimfuego8827]

The secret of success is well written songs at the right time, right place ! Otherwise we would be all megastars !

[@kurtsherrick2066]

Steve is still alive. He has a Tribute to Ruby Star and he replied to my comment. He is a very good guitarist. Good dude too.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Kurt, thanks for sharing the update on Steve 🤘

[@Bunionbrain]

Had that first album!

[@schnutzelcoco]

January 20, 1973 Deep Purple played at the Festhalle, Frankfurt (Germany) and support act was ELF. I had been there and was very impressed.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing GK. Deep Purple, Elf and some fine German beer 🍺 🤘

[@schnutzelcoco]

@@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock cheers 🍻

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Cheers 🤘

[@dennisperin2989]

Most bands who start out are not who they end up being, Fleetwood Mac, Pantera was a hair band at first. Usually these artist are new in the business & really aren’t sure of who they really are yet. Great post. RIP RJD..

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks, Dennis. There's a lot of truth in that statement, concerning the first works by a lot of bands.

[@schizoidmen]

I first saw Dio when the band was The Electric Elves many times in my hometown they would even do song by Tom Jones incredible voice!

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing your comment 🤘

[@davidmcc6666]

Elf had some great tunes, man.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

That they did, thanks for sharing, David 🤘

[@michaelkearin9963]

My personal favorite is Carolina County Ball!

[@williamquigley5836]

I saw this band when they opened for Fleetwood Mac in Lansing, Michigan about '72 and I can assure you they could fuckin' play. I bought their first album and it sounded just like their show. I own perhaps 7 or 8 thousand albums and I rank this album in at least the top 40 of what I own. "Gambler, Gambler" is one of my 10 favorite songs to this day. It is mysterious to me that they didn't go on to significant success; from what I heard, they could outplay a good many big-name hard rock bands of the early 70's. From what I recall, at that Lansing show, they very nearly blew Fleetwood Mac off the stage. This, in spite of the mighty Mac having three excellent guitarists, Peter Green, Danny Kirwan and Bob Welch as I recall as well as Christine McVie on keyboards. Both bands put on a great show. I was especially impressed with the very precise playing of Feinstein and Soule. This band should have followed up their first album with a like-sounding second one; they were Skynerd before Skynerd. In my lonely opinion, they could have been stars.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing, William, we can only venture to guess if one more album would have be the one to push them to the top 🤘

[@robinkmarshall6614]

In 2006 I attended a benefit concert for someone who had stomach cancer named Cody Teale . One of the Lead Bands was " Cody Teale band" Cody' s ex-wife's name was Wendy she was with him. Cody' was wearing a 400 dollar Satin Shirt which is not typical for a smalltime band member to wear. This guy Cody could have been a twin to Dio. Funny of several commonalities between Dio and Cody Teale.

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing, Robin, I'll have to look into that name, not familiar with it 🤘

[@christyler6234]

I’m of the opinion that Trying to Burn the Sun was their best work. The debut was also great while Carolina County Ball is hit or miss. Either way, though, this is a criminally underrated band.

[@mnbluestube]

thank you

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

You’re welcome RT, thank you for watching 🤘

[@BoleslawDeepPurple]

Elf (aka Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow Mark 1) was a great band

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing, Boleslaw 🤘🤘

[@brendannahor1460]

Brilliant band! Got all 3 albums! 🤘🏻

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks for sharing, Brendan, I've got them in CD format 🤘

[@brendannahor1460]

@@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock All on vinyl and a "Two-for" cd that has both "Carolina County Ball" and "Trying To Burn The Sun" on it! 🤘🏻

[@blakedawson2129]

good video. sure miss Ron. I was a big rods fan as a young man

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thank you, Blake. RJD can't be replaced, all we can do now is press 'play' 🤘

[@progmonster4]

that was an excellent history of the mysterious elf

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Thanks, PM 🤘