This past weekend marked 5 years since I woke up on my birthday morning, excited to spend a day being lavished with gifts and praise, only to have something taken away instead – the greatest metal singer to ever have lived.
Ronnie James Dio, the little man with the biggest voice, was not just an inspiration to singers everywhere or a voice to close your eyes and sail away to – he was also, by all accounts, just a wonderful human being. I never had the opportunity to meet the guy myself unfortunately, but I was privileged to attend the 5 year memorial concert this weekend, and talked to some people who had – Wendy Dio, Eddie Trunk, Eddie Money, Oni Logan, and the doctor who took care of him til the end, Sandy Kapoor.
The stories they had to share about Ronnie will melt your metal heart into a Terminator 2 – style puddle of shiny liquid.
I also got some great footage of Dio Disciples, the band made up of members of DIO and some of Ronnie’s friends, who performed at the memorial:
They do him real proud.
If you feel compelled to help, please consider donating to the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund.
