One year ago the Heavy Music community lost one of the most charismatic, charming, and down to earth rockers in history. Ronnie James Dio is the emblem of Horns Up Rocks, not just because he popularized the "devil horns" (the Horns Up Rocks logo), but also because he was one of the most humble musicians ever. Not one person that had the privilege to meet Dio has one bad thing to say about him and always comment on what a great role model he was. Any musician out there reading this, should take note of Ronnie James Dio, a legend that will never be forgotten and will keep influencing musicians forever.
Here are some facts about the great Ronnie James Dio:
- RJD was an Italian-American Heavy Metal vocalist and songwriter.
- He performed with: Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and his band Dio.
- Considered the most powerful singer in Heavy Metal history.
- Ranked as one of the greatest Rock vocalists of all time.
- Credited with popularizing the "devil horns" hand gesture in Metal culture.
- Prior to his death he was collaborating with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Vinny Appice, on a new Heaven & Hell album, which would have been the following to "The Devil You Know", released on April 28, 2009.
- Dio died of stomach cancer on May 16, 2010.
- One of the last songs he recorded was titled "Metal Will Never Die".
The last interview that Ronnie James Dio ever did:
The last public appearance of Ronnie James Dio:
Horns Up Rocks interview with Wendy Dio (wife of RJD) & Geezer Butler (band-mate of RJD):
Horns Up Rocks interview with Jose Mangin (Sirius XM Liquid Metal) about his interview with RJD:
Horns Up Rocks interview with Don Jamieson (That Metal Show) about the legacy of RJD:
When Black Sabbath was founded in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne, Tonny Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, their initial musical style was Heavy Blues-Rock. After struggling to build an audience, the band started to incorporate lyrics that blended occult and horror themes with tuned-down guitars. This is also when their songs started to deal with social and political issues such as drugs and war. This new direction of the band caught the attention of many people across Europe that had never heard anything like Black Sabbath. From that moment on the band decided to stay true to their new sound and to always leave their mark wherever they performed at. Most of the time they did this through their live performance, but sometimes they did it by being the life of the party.
While the band's purpose was never to become the pioneers of Heavy Metal along with Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, or to be labeled as the most important band in Heavy Music history. The four man sacrificed everything they had in order to make music their lives because they didn't want to have to get a "real" job. Just like any successful band out there, Black Sabbath has faced many obstacles and has gone through numerous lineup changes. The most notorious lineup change was when the great Ronnie James Dio replaced Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, after Ozzy was fired due to his out of control behavior caused by his alcoholism. This obviously changed the sound of the band since Ozzy and Dio have different singing styles. However, this major obstacle was beaten by Black Sabbath without any hiccups and it offered the fans a more dynamic sound.
As far as challenges go, the most notorious one is when guitarist Tony Iommi lost the tip of his fingers while working at a sheet Metal factory when he was 17 years old. After almost giving up his career in music, his boss encouraged him to reinvent his sound when he played him a record by jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, who had a similar accident and despite limited use of his fretting hand following an injury, became a musical phenomenon. Many say that this accident is what created the unique sound that Tony Iommi possesses and that gave Black Sabbath their signature sound.
Here are some facts about Black Sabbath:
- Black Sabbath was formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969. - 22 musicians have at one time been members of Black Sabbath. Tony Iommi is the only member that has been with Black Sabbath consistently. - They have sold over 15 million records in the US and more than 50 million records worldwide. - Ranked by MTV as the "Greatest Metal Band" of all time. - Placed second in VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock" list, behind Led Zeppelin. - After a few albums with Dio on vocals, the band ehad various line-up changes in the 1980s and 1990s. This changes included vocalists: Ian Gillan, Glenn Hughes, Ray Gillen and Tony Martin. - In 1992, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler rejoined Dio and drummer Vinny Appice to record "Dehumanizer". - The original Black Sabbath line-up reunited with Ozzy Osbourne in 1997 and released a live album, titled "Reunion". - The 1979–1982 and 1991–1992 line-up: Tonny Iommi, Geezer Butler, Ronnie James Dio, and Vinny Appice, rejoined forces in 2006 under the moniker Heaven & Hell. And were together until Dio's death on 16 May 2010.
After the death of singer Ronnie James Dio, the band went on hiatus and it is unknown if Ozzy will reunite with the rest of the boys and bring the original Black Sabbath back to surface. Right now the focus of the band and specially Wendy Dio (Dio's wife), is to raise money for Cancer treatment through the "Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund". Right now they are having different musicians in the music scene donate guitars that will be auctioned sometime in October. On the other hand, bassist Geezer Butler is writing a new album for his solo project GZR and writing a book of memoirs.
Here is an EXCLUSIVE "Black carpet" interview we did with Geezer Butler and Wendy Dio, at the 2011 Revolver Golden Gods Awards. \m/
The following conversation took place earlier this year at the Official Ronnie James Dio tribute at Duff's Brooklyn.
Ryan: "Jo, you think anyone famous will show up tonight? Perhaps Alex Skolnick?"
Jo: "Hey man, you never know. But I am sure if Alex is in the area, he might swing by."
Not even 10 seconds later, Alex Skolnick is walking through the door! Here is the proof:
You may be wondering why we just shared this story with you. Well, on Friday November 12 the music of the great Ronnie James Dio will be celebrated again at Duff's. The OFFICIAL release and viewing party for Heaven & Hell's latest CD/DVD release titled "Neon Nights" promises to be another magical night at Duff's. The event will obviously be loaded with Dio's music in the infamous jukebox and on the Plasma screens. Additionally, free CD's and DVD's will be distributed courtesy of Eagle Rock Entertainment. Duff's is located on 168 Marcy Avenue in Williamsburg Brooklyn (JMZ Trains to Marcy Avenue).
Here are the details for Heaven and Hell's upcoming release:
"Neon Nights" will be released on November 16 via Eagle Rock. The DVD/CD release features Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice performing at the legendary Wacken Open Air Festival in Wacken, Germany. This was the last live performance the band did, before Dio's battle with Cancer began.
The DVD also features exclusive interviews with the band talking about their 30 year anniversary. Additionally, "Neon Nights" has tributes recorded by Tony Iommi, Vinny Appice, and Geezer Butler in memory of the great Ronnie James Dio.
"Neon Nights" track listing:
CD:
1: The Mob Rules 2: Children Of The Sea 3: I 4: Bible Black 5: Time Machine 6: Fear 7: Falling Off The Edge Of The World 8: Follow The Tears 9: Die Young 10: Heaven And Hell 11: Neon Knights
DVD:
1: E5150 2: The Mob Rules 3: Children Of The Sea 4: I 5: Bible Black 6: Time Machine 7: Fear 8: Falling Off The Edge of the World 9: Follow The Tears 10: Die Young 11: Heaven And Hell 12: Country Girl 13: Neon Knights
The 666 season of That Metal Show, kicks off on Saturday October 16th. For this season VH1 Classic stepped it up, and the show will be 1 hour long. The season opener will feature a very special tribute to the great Ronnie James Dio, and it will feature somce very special guests, which include Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice from Heaven and Hell, Rob Halford from Judas Priest, Tom Morello from Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave, and Ronnie's wife and manager Wendy Dio. This episode will be a very special one, so tune in!
Here are some pictures from the taping of the season opener of That Metal Show:
Pictures courtesy of VH1 Classic's That Metal Show
Today is a very sad day in Rock N Roll. Legendary singer Ronnie James Dio has passed away, after battling with stomach cancer. Ronnie will always be remembered as the singer of legendary bands such as: Dio, Black Sabbath (Heaven & hell) and Rainbow. He is also credited as the creator of the "devil horns" that all rockers and fans throw on a daily basis when something rocks!
His wife and manager Wendy Dio made the following statement to Blabbermouth:
"Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45 a.m. [on Sunday] 16th May. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private goodbyes before he peacefully passed away.
Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all.
We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us.
Please give us a few days of privacy to deal with this terrible loss.
Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever."
Here is one of the last interviews Ronnie James Dio ever did, it took place at the Revolver Golden God Awards this past April where he received the Liquid Metal "Best Vocalist Award."
Here is Ronnie James Dio, receiving the award:
Watch the Revolver Golden God Awards next Saturday May 22 on VH1 Classic!
One year ago the Heavy Music community lost one of the most charismatic, charming, and down to earth rockers in history. Ronnie James Dio is the emblem of Horns Up Rocks, not just because he popularized the "devil horns" (the Horns Up Rocks logo), but also because he was one of the most humble musicians ever. Not one person that had the privilege to meet Dio has one bad thing to say about him and always comment on what a great role model he was. Any musician out there reading this, should take note of Ronnie James Dio, a legend that will never be forgotten and will keep influencing musicians forever. 
