Elf was an American rock/blues band formed in the late 60's and early 70's. One member who stood out from the rest was Ronnie James Dio. The band's music is a somewhat mish-mash of honky tonk mixed with basic rock riffs. The band made 3 albums: Elf, Trying to Burn the Sun, and Carolina County Ball. During some of Elf's songs, you can hear the beginnings of Dio's interest in other types of music such as his later work with Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and on his own with the band, Dio. Elf used to open for Deep Purple. They were on the same label as them and would tour together from time to time. Eventually, Ronnie James Dio and Ritchie Blackmore became good friends and would later form the band Rainbow in 1975
