Craig Gruber

Craig M. Gruber (June 15, 1951 – May 5, 2015)^[2] was an American rock bassist, best known as the original bassist in Rainbow and most recently was a member for the band Zvekan. He also played in Elf, consisting of vocalist Ronnie James Dio, keyboardist Mickey Lee Soule, drummer Gary Driscoll and guitarist David Feinstein.

Elf released three albums before they joined Ritchie Blackmore in his newly formed band Rainbow in mid-1975. Gruber played on Rainbow's first album, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow. Soon after the album was released, Blackmore fired everyone except Dio. Gruber was also in the early recording sessions on Black Sabbath's Heaven and Hell album, co-writing "Die Young," until Geezer Butler heard Dio, and returned to the band.

Gruber played live with Gary Moore on his supporting tour for his album Victims of the Future, and featured on Moore's 1984 live album We Want Moore. In 1980 he formed Bible Black with former Elf and Rainbow drummer Gary Driscoll. The band produced two albums before Driscoll's murder in 1987. Near the end of his life, Gruber had been building a line of high-end "soloing" basses, which can be seen at Infinite Metal Werkz. Gruber had also been working on an Elf reunion, even though such a prospect seemed unlikely given the deaths of Driscoll and frontman Ronnie James Dio; both of whom had been members of the band from foundation until dissolution.

Early in 2010 Gruber formed "ED3N"- a metal band in the classic rock genre. The band featured vocalist Jeff Fenholt and guitarist David Shankle, of DSG and formerly Manowar.

On April 18, 2013 it was announced that Gruber had joined the band Raven Lord.^[3] He was to replace Jamie Mallender for the bassist's position. However, Gruber departed the band shortly thereafter and was replaced by Lucio Manca. On November 7, 2013, Gruber announced via Facebook that he became part of a newly formed band founded by Csaba Zvekan called Zvekan.

Death

Craig Gruber died of prostate cancer in Florida on May 5, 2015, aged 63.^[4]

Discography

With Elf

• Carolina County Ball (1974) (US title: L.A./59)
• Trying to Burn the Sun (1975)
• The Gargantuan (1978) compilation
• The Elf Albums (1991) compiles 1974 & 1975 albums

With Rainbow

• Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (1975)

With Ozz

• No Prisoners (1980)

With Gary Moore

• We Want Moore (1984)
• Blinder (Ca. 1984)

With The Rods

• Heavier Than Thou (1986)

References