There is no love like a labour of love. There is no greater folly than a labour of love. Are those two statements contrary, or can they co-exist “happily”, somehow relating the same truth? Listen to The Dio Album (Music Theories Recordings/Mascot Label Group), and come back to me.
The brainchild of Dio and Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell, Last In Line was formed in 2012 to celebrate the life of metal legend Ronnie James Dio. Reuniting some of Dio’s former bandmates to perform as a tribute act, Campbell handed vocalist Andrew Freeman the unenviable task of stepping into the great man’s elven boots, the former Great White and Lynch Mob frontman handling the job with confidence and authority ever since.
The Rock For Ronnie Concert in the Park will take place on Sunday afternoon, May 7, 2023 at Los Encinos Historic Park in Encino, benefiting the. Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund (https://www.diocancerfund.org). The Rock For Ronnie event, slated to be an afternoon of live rock music, silent and live auctions, food trucks and fun geared to the entire family, is the cancer charity’s first post-Covid event back in the park.
Funko, the global sensation of popular vinyl collectible toys company has finally released the POP Rocks! Vinyl Collecable figure of iconic Heavy Metal singer for Black Sabbath, Rainbow, and his solo career- Ronnie James Dio. Other artists who have gotten the Pop! Rocks treatment includes Slipknot, N.W.A., Kiss, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, AC/DC, Ozzy Osbourne, Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Prince, Rob Zombie, FFDP, Alice In Chains, PanterA, Dee Snider, Twisted Sister, a set of the guys in Twizted, Glow in The Dark Iron Maiden, and more. The Funko brand, which sells other figures and licensed merchandise, went public with an IPO in 2018.
Photo credit: Mark Weiss with permission
When Ronnie James Dio joined metal legends Black Sabbath in 1980 the former Rainbow frontman’s appointment couldn’t have come at a better time. Sabbath were a sinking ship. A drowning vessel from which enigmatic frontman Ozzy Osbourne had been trying to escape for some time. However, even though it was painfully clear that new blood had to be added to halt the band’s alarming deterioration the hostility that greeted Dio from some corners was quite shocking.
in 1980, Ronnie James Dio left Rainbow and joined Black Sabbath to form an unholy union of Heavy Metal greatness. Now BMG will release newly remastered versions of both classic Dio/Sabbath albums expanded with rare and unreleased music. Heaven And Hell: Deluxe Edition And Mob Rules: Deluxe Edition will be released separately on November 4th and November 18th, 2022. Each album will be available on 2-CDs, or a 2-LP set. Due to space constraints, both vinyl editions include a selection of bonus material from the CDs. The music will also be available via digital download and streaming services the same day. Pre-order the album now:
The Annual Bowl For Ronnie Celebrity Bowling Party, benefiting the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund (https://www.diocancerfund.org), is set to return on Thursday, November 17, 2022 after a three-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. The event, to be held at PINZ Bowling Center in Studio City, California, will once again be hosted by television and radio personality Eddie Trunk, who is heard on SiriusXM’s Volume channel. The Bowl For Ronnie will feature a celebrity bowling tournament and a raffle drawing for prizes and memorabilia. The 2019 event sold out in advance and raised more than $50,000 for the cancer charity, which is now in its 13th year of raising awareness and much-needed funding for cancer research.
Sit right down and let us tell you the tale of the Space Viking, Thor Odinson! Marvel Studio’s Thor Love and Thunder was released on July 8th worldwide and has earned almost half a billion dollars. In addition to Thor being the first major MCU character film to get their own fourth film in a franchise, it also has a decided rock and Metal soundtrack. Guns N Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine” was heard in the trailers for the film, and Guns figured prominently in the film. Not only did we hear that song, but also “Welcome To The Jungle” and “November Rain!” In addition, Dio’s classic “Rainbow In The Dark” was heard over the end credits. Aside from Michael Giacchino’s score, other artists heard on the soundtrack were ABBA, Mary J. Blige, and Ciarra.
Okay, so watching streamed performances over the internet isn’t the best way to enjoy live shows. That’s a given. Every one of us would rather be in the middle of a sweaty moshpit, getting drunk with friends while being accidentally kicked in the head by overenthusiastic crowd surfers. Yes you would. Don’t lie.
Heavy metal Queen and acclaimed Blues artist Lisa Mann, a.k.a. White Crone has paid tribute ot the great Ronnie James Dio on what would have been his 79th Birthday. Mann covered Rainbow’s classic “Stargazer” in an epic performance of the track, befitting the legend. This is her first new music since releasing her album The Poisoner in 2020. Stream her cover now!