Ronnie James Dio (Official Tribute Thread)

[That 70s Guy]

Re: Official Ronnie James Dio tribute thread

from blabbermouth:

Actor/Comedian JACK BLACK Pays Tribute To RONNIE JAMES DIO - May 22, 2010
Actor Jack Black of TENACIOUS D — the metal-inspired comic rock collaboration also featuring Kyle Gass — has released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW) (via Time magazine):

"Dio has always been my favorite heavy-metal vocalist. Not just for his musical chops but also for the passion he poured into every performance. His use of beautifully haunting melodies leading to volcanic eruptions of raw rock power led to some of the great anthems of the genre.

"When Dio, who died May 16 at 67, performed live, he would stalk the stage like a dragon slayer. His commitment and theatricality were spellbinding. As a teenager I was profoundly moved by the life-affirming fire of his songs. They were filled with glory. They made me want to climb mountains and battle demons.

"To listen to Dio is to be transported to an ancient time of mystery and joy. His songs were an escape for millions of kids looking for release from the usual bull found on the FM dial.

"I had a chance to work with him, and he was about as cool a person as you could hope to meet. He was generous and soft-spoken, humble and serene, and had a tremendous sense of humor.

"Thank you, Dio.

TENACIOUS D was featured in DIO's video for the song "Push" (see below). In addition, Ronnie appeared in Black and Gass' rock comedy "Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny".

In the film, Dio plays an apparition of himself — a kind of heavy metal Yoda — who counsels the 10-year-old Black on how to make good his dreams of rock grandeur. "The kid's sitting on the bed and he starts to sing to a huge poster of me — he's asking me what to do, saying all he really wants to do is rock 'n' roll," Dio said in a 2006 interview. "Then I come alive from the poster and tell him: Go to Hollywood where you'll meet your partner and rock 'n' roll forever."

 

[That 70s Guy]

Re: Official Ronnie James Dio tribute thread

blabbermouth.net

TESTAMENT's ALEX SKOLNICK Remembers RONNIE JAMES DIO - May 22, 2010
TESTAMENT guitarist Alex Skolnick has posted the following message onhis official blog:

"This past weekend, we lost Ronnie James Dio, not only one of the best singers in hard rock and heavy metal, but someone who was polite, well spoken and gentlemanly, something of an anomaly in a genre where 'bad-boy' behavior is embraced and expected of its frontmen.

"When someone of his stature of passes away, there is a collective void felt by millions of fans, creating a sense of unity. This feeling takes on an even more sad, surreal quality when it is someone that you were on a first-name basis with.

"Twice I had the magnificent fortune of being on the same bill with Ronnie. On both these tours, the differing schedules of his band — BLACK SABBATH in 1992 and HEAVEN & HELL in late 2008 (same band, different name) — made our encounters infrequent, as is often the case with headliners and support acts. But whenever we did bump into each other, he always went out of his way to say hello.

"His knack for remembering everybody’s names was nearly as legendary as his vocal ability. He remembered everyone on the crew, everyone's friends, wives and girlfriends and made each person feel the center of attention when he spoke to them. So while we did 'know' each other, I don't pretend to have known Ronnie well. It's not as if we ever spoke by phone.

"Actually, that's not true…

"One day, I was trying to reach my friend Lorenzo, who was on DIO's sound crew. This was the early '00s and our tours were crossing paths in Cleveland. I'd been unable to make the DIO concert, but another friend of mine went to the show and bumped into Lorenzo, who told him to say hi to me and pass on his new phone number.

"When I called a day or so later, the voice didn't sound like Lorenzo's. 'Alex Skolnick! How are you? I've always liked your guitar playing.' He asked what I was up to and how this person was and how that person was, asking me to please say hello to these people for him. This guy obviously knew me and others I knew, but I didn't recognize his voice. Who could it be? I hesitantly asked. He laughed and said 'Alex, it's Ronnie Dio!'

"My jaw dropped. He explained that either he'd lost his cell phone and had been borrowing Lorenzo's or vice versa (I forget), then nicely offered to pass on the message and have him call me, then we said goodbye. Whatever the situation was, I barely processed it and it scarcely mattered…I was on the phone with Dio!

"I immediately thought of the DIO concert I attended in 1984 in San Francisco, the first concert I ever went to without adult supervision. I remember asking my father for permission. He didn't understand who I was talking about. 'DEVO?' he asked.

"A friend and I took BART (the metro train) to the concert which was held at the Cow Palace Arena.

"The DIO album 'Holy Diver' had become part of the soundtrack for my high school years and those of countless other teens of the mid-'80s. Seeing him live, I felt for the first time like I was hearing music for my generation.

"Although DIO's draw would shrink somewhat in the '90s (thanks in part to the music industry's collective turn against '80s hard rock acts) Ronnie James Dio still stands as one of a small handful of vocalists in the hard rock/metal genre who was ever able to sell out arenas under his own name. The other two that come to mind are Ozzy Osbourne, whom he replaced in BLACK SABBATH, and Alice Cooper.

"When he emerged on the national scene in the '70s, he sang with enough rasp, grit, dirt and guttural quality to stand side by side with throaty greats of the time such as Bon Scott of AC/DC. But unlike Scott and others, whose sound was fueled by cigarettes, bourbon, and other, less legal substances, Ronnie took care of his voice with a discipline on par with an opera and Broadway singer. Never a 'notorious rock star' like his contemporaries, he lived his life in moderation, resulting in an unshakeable constancy and flawless execution that concertgoers could count on, right up until the end.

"Indeed, at the 'Metal Masters' shows [featuring HEAVEN & HELL, JUDAS PRIEST, MOTÖRHEAD and TESTAMENT] barely a year and a half ago, the universal consensus was that Ronnie, then in his mid-60s, had never sounded better. On that tour, I frequently found myself standing on the grass with friends after our set, listening to Ronnie, Tony [Iommi], Geezer [Butler] and Vinny [Appice] filling the star-filled August sky with songs like 'Heaven And Hell', 'Children Of The Sea' and 'Neon Knights'. It was about as perfect a summer evening as one can imagine. Now Ronnie is a part of that star-filled sky.

"He will forever be missed and remembered."

 

[Gabble Ratchet]

Re: Official Ronnie James Dio tribute thread

Here is the video of him from the movie, also featuring one Mr. Loaf:



A song Tenacious D wrote about Dio, on their 2001 debut album:

 

[flipflop]

Re: Official Ronnie James Dio tribute thread

I read the Skolnick one earlier today - good stuff.

 

[Astrid Kirchherr65]

Re: Official Ronnie James Dio tribute thread

Here is the video of him from the movie, also featuring one Mr. Loaf:



A song Tenacious D wrote about Dio, on their 2001 debut album:

I just watched that on Friday...so freaking funny !
That kid looks SOO much like Jack Black

Dio is fun in this...wonder if those religious nutters saw this ha ha

 

[flipflop]

Re: Official Ronnie James Dio tribute thread

Ripper Owens singing two Dio classics - Children of the Sea and Man on the silver mountain, acoustic.

BLABBERMOUTH.NET - TIM 'RIPPER' OWENS Performs DIO Classics At Akron Bar/Restaurant; Video Available

 

[That 70s Guy]

Re: Official Ronnie James Dio tribute thread

blabbermouth.net

MEGADETH's ELLEFSON On RONNIE JAMES DIO: 'He Is Truly The Stuff Of Legend' - May 24, 2010
For Bass Players Only recently conducted an interview with MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

For Bass Players Only: What's the story behind the formation of MEGADETH?

Ellefson: I grew up on a farm outside a small town of 3,000 people, a town called Jackson, Minnesota. From the time I took up bass at age 11, I immediately started putting rock bands together with friends and regional musicians. I was not the stay-at-home practice guy, but rather a guy who practiced so I could be on stage. To me, being a touring/recording rock & roller was the aim from day one. Don't get me wrong, I spent a ton of time in my basement learning to play and woodshed, but practicing was a means to an end, not an end in itself. I had a hunch at age 16 that I should move to Los Angeles to get a band going, that my future was out there. I'm glad I followed that hunch because I moved to L.A. within five days after graduating from high school two years later, in 1983. My backup plan was to attend B.I.T. (Bass Institute of Technology, at the Musician's Institute) but my real aim was to get into — or put together — a metal band. Ironically, I moved into an apartment under Dave Mustaine, who had just been released from METALLICA. In hindsight, our meeting was not coincidental because that hunch at age 16 was the good Lord putting things in motion and all those years preparing in rural Minnesota were the seeds planted for that pursuit, which became MEGADETH.

For Bass Players Only: How far did you think the band would go? Were you surprised at how successful you were?

Ellefson: I knew as soon as I met Dave that he was the "real deal" and that together we would set out to form a band that would in fact become successful. That is not meant to be proud or boastful, but you could really feel it in the room that it was going to be big. Keep in mind, it didn't just "become" big. We worked our tails off for the success we've enjoyed. I think for most musicians, the payout of success isn't as important as the work you put into it because the work you put into it is part of the payout, the real enjoyment of doing what you love.

For Bass Players Only: The music world recently lost Ronnie James Dio, a powerful force in rock history. Do you have any special thoughts or feelings about Ronnie that you'd like to share?

Ellefson: Ronnie James Dio was the ultimate singer/artist. He had his own unique vocal style, but was also an incredibly proficient and original writer. I was a fan as soon as I heard him on the BLACK SABBATH and RAINBOW classics, but his solo work in DIO just propelled him — and heavy metal in general — to a really hip mainstream appeal for the masses. He is truly the stuff of legend.

For Bass Players Only: Tell me about F5 and HAIL!

Ellefson: When MEGADETH came to an end in 2002 due to Dave's arm injury, I had no idea what to do next. So, just like back in Minnesota when I was a kid, I followed my hunches and the trail of crumbs laid out before me. It really taught me the importance of reaching out and networking with people I knew in the music industry, which opened doors to new opportunities. One of those was songwriting and producing with a lot of signed and unsigned artists. Out of that, came my introductions to the guys in F5 and one day, a year later, we got in a room, threw some ideas around and... presto, a band was formed! The successful people I admire, in all walks of life, network a lot. For a musician's success, networking is just as important as playing, which is why so many musicians are never successful. Too many players spend all their time practicing on their fretboard rather than sharpening their skills on the phone or with email. Working musicians need to be connected to playing opportunities, which will open doors to new opportunities. I'm glad I had that realization early on. As for HAIL!, a manager friend of mine kept calling me about putting together an all-star band to play some shows in South America. Finally, in the fall of 2008, I got serious about it, as I had just completed the Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp tour and my work with that organization laid the groundwork for me to conceptualize HAIL!

Read the entire interview from For Bass Players Only.

 

[That 70s Guy]

Re: Official Ronnie James Dio tribute thread

from blabbermouth.net

NON-FICTION Bassist: RONNIE JAMES DIO 'Will Not Be Forgotten' - May 23, 2010
Video footage of NON-FICTION performing the Ronnie James Dio-era BLACK SABBATH classic "Voodoo" during the band's November 7, 2009 reunion concert at Dingbatz in Clifton, New Jersey can be viewed below. The entire show was filmed by Jay Bones from Viking Digital and will be made into NON-FICTION's first DVD, "It's A Wonderful Live".

Regarding the passing of Ronnie James Dio, NON-FICTION/INFERNOPHONIC bassist Kevin Bolembach said, "What can be said about such a tremendous loss?!?!

"The music of Ronnie James Dio has been an integral part of my life since I was nine years old.

"My first concert EVER was BLACK SABBATH with BLUE ÖYSTER CULT on the 'Heaven And Hell' tour in 1980 — an event that completely changed my life.

"Over the years I have seen many incarnations of DIO and SABBATH, but my dream was to see a reunion of the classic 'Heaven and Hell' lineup. My prayers were answered at Radio City Music Hall in early 2007 when giants once again walked the earth under the banner of HEAVEN & HELL.

"There has never been another singer with more heart, soul, or insight in to the human condition than Ronnie James Dio, and there never will be.

"Rest in peace, Ronnie, and thank you for your priceless gifts. You will not be forgotten."

NON-FICTION released three full-length albums — "Preface", "In The Know", and "It's A Wonderful Lie" — and an EP between 1990 and 1994.

NON-FICTION formed after HADES broke up in 1989. Guitarist Dan Lorenzo originally hooked up with vocalist/guitarist Dan Nastasi from MUCKY PUP before singer Alan Tecchio moved back to Jersey from Texas and his stint with WATCHTOWER. Around that time, Nastasi formed DOG EAT DOG. NON-FICTION added bassist Kevin Bolembach (drummer Mike Cristi was already in place) and performed shows locally, including at New York City's CBGB.

NON-FICTION released two CDs rather quickly, shot to #1 on New Jersey radio station WSOU for months at a time and started touring. In 1993, NON-FICTION opened an American tour with OVERKILL, then flew to Europe as openers for both OVERKILL and SAVATAGE.

For more information, visit Non-Fiction on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads.

 

[That 70s Guy]

Re: Official Ronnie James Dio tribute thread

from blabbermouth:

DIO/HEAVEN & HELL Keyboardist: RONNIE 'Was My Surrogate Father, My Brother, My Friend' - May 24, 2010
DIO/HEAVEN & HELL keyboardist Scott Warren has released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW):

"How can I express what 17 years next to Ronnie now means to me? He has led me on an incredible journey. I have been blessed by his presence, and his voice. He was my surrogate father, my brother, my friend, my teacher AND my loyal advocate. Our fearless leader. He never let us down. He was never not out to prove it. Because he 'WAS' it. Just a class act. Life without him will never be the same. Yet it is not because of these things, that I know He IS in Heaven. But that's another story.

"I will miss you, my dear friend.

"RJD RIP"

 

[That 70s Guy]

Re: Official Ronnie James Dio tribute thread

from blabbermouth:

KID ROCK Pays Tribute To RONNIE JAMES DIO; Video Available - May 24, 2010
Kid Rock paid tribute to legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW) during a surprise appearance this past Friday (May 21) at the East Lansing, Michigan of Conan O'Brien's "The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour". The rocker, rapper, country artist got the crowd fired up with his song "If I Was President". In the song's lyrics he promised not to lie and sneak around; turn churches into strip clubs; give his Presidential address smoking a joint on Air Force One; and make Ronnie James Dio's day of passing a national holiday.

Quote from the song's lyrics (beginning around the one-minute, 40-second mark in the video clip below): "If I was president even for just one day, I'd make the day that Ronnie James Dio passed away one of our nation's new national holidays."