Craig Gruber had cancer.
Elf and Rainbow's original bassist, Craig Gruber, passed away yesterday at the age of 63 after a long battle with prostate cancer.
In addition to playing on Rainbow's first album, "Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow," and on Elf's albums "Carolina County Ball" and "Trying To Burn The Sun" with Ronnie James Dio, Gruber also participated in the early sessions for "Heaven And Hell" before Geezer Butler returned to the project. Gruber also played with Gary Moore, The Rods, and Ozz.
Gruber's last contribution was to the heavy metal band Raven Lord.