The fine folks at Julien’s Auctions recently announced an auction for the estate of arguably metal’s greatest frontman, the metal horn-wielding singer himself, Mr. Ronnie James Dio (1942 – 2010). The auction will go live at The Hard Rock Café in New York on Friday, September 14 and Saturday, September 15 and online at the Julien’s Auction Website.
Here’s what Julien’s had to say:
“Highlights of the auction will feature items from the legendary singer’s stellar career with iconic bands Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio including; several pieces of original album artwork including the acrylic painting by Barry Jackson used as the cover for the 1984 Dio album The Last in Line (estimate $20,000–$30,000); his pair of moon and stars patchwork jeans worn extensively on stage with Rainbow (estimate $2,000–$4,000); Dio’s custom made violet suede vest with tails and red leather shin guards worn on stage and in promotional photographs for the 1985 Sacred Heart Tour (estimate $2,000–$4,000); a personalized Black Sabbath hooded velour robe from the 1981 Mob Rules tour worn regularly back stage (estimate $1,000–$2,000); Dio’s personal rolling wardrobe case (estimate $800–$1,200); some of the most ambitious and spectacular stage design rock has ever seen with props such as a monumental animatronic sphinx on plinth base from the 1984 The Last In Line tour (estimate $2,000–4,000) and a massive animatronic dragon’s head from the 1985 Sacred Heart tour (estimate $3,000–5,000); an array of Dio’s studio and stage used instruments and gear such as a custom Charvel guitar featuring a one–of–a–kind wizard paint motif (estimate $3,000–$5,000); a 1978 “Gold” record award commemorating Australian sales of the Rainbow album Rising (estimate $600–$800) and a 1978 “Gold” record award for the album Rainbow: On Stage (estimate $600–$800) and much more.
With almost 700 items (yeah, that’s right), this might be the event of the century. If you want to own a little piece of history from the legend himself, head over to the auction page and check out the listings.
