Tag Archives: Simon Wright

Rock For Ronnie Concert In The Park Benefiting Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund All-Star Talent Announced

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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. The event just named a who’s who of Rock and Heavy Metal luminaries for the finale/all-star jam. 

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REVIEWS ROUND-UP: Dio – The Live Album Series

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Originally released back in 2005 (although a DVD had come out a couple of years before), Evil or Divine – Live in New York City (BMG) was recorded on Dio‘s 2002 world tour and still holds up as a great live representation of the band at that point. Promoting the Killing the Dragon (Spitfire) album, the title track is joined by ‘Push’, ‘Rock & Roll’ and ‘Guilty’, with ‘Fever Dreams’ and ‘Lord of the Last Day’ from Magica (Spitfire) making up the rest of their more modern entries.  

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Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund Celebrates Dio’s Birthday with Special Video from Fellow Legends

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The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund (https://www.diocancerfund.org), founded in memory of the late rock legend, will commemorate what would have been Dio’s 78th birthday on July 10 with a video in which rock music celebrities talk about what Ronnie and his music has meant to them. Dio lost his months-long battle with gastric cancer 10 years ago, and the charity founded after his passing has raised more than $2 million to fight the disease that took his life. Largely compiled from red carpet interviews with celebrity guests at various Dio Cancer Fund events, including the 10th Anniversary Awards Gala held at the Avalon in Hollywood in February (see our coverage here) just before the pandemic shutdown, the video contains special video messages from Rob Halford and Geezer Butler, who were close friends of Dio’s. Among those also expressing their thoughts are Dave Grohl, Jack Black, Rudy Sarzo, Craig Goldy, Scott Warren, Simon Wright and Vinny Appice of the Dio band, Fred Coury, Robbie Crane and Ricky Warwick of Black Star Riders, Ahmet Zappa, Joey Vera, Glenn Hughes, Jeff Pilson, Doug Aldrich, Terry Ilous and Eddie Trunk, who hosts most of the Dio Cancer Fund events.Continue reading →


EVENT RECAP: Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund Commemorates 10th Anniversary with Awards Gala and Concert

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The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, founded in memory of the late rock music legend, commemorated the 10th anniversary of his passing and the formation of the charity with its 10th Anniversary Memorial Awards Gala held on February 20, 2020 at the Avalon Hollywood. Hosted Eddie Trunk (That Metal Show, SiriusXM Trunk Nation), the organization recognized honorees in eight categories—each named after songs written by Ronnie James Dio–who have played a role in either Dio’s legacy or that of the charity. Live entertainment was provided by Ronnie James Dio’s live band Dio, featuring vocalists Tim “Ripper” Owens and Oni Logan, and band members Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Scott Warren and Bjorn Englen, and highlighted by the vocals and visuals of Ronnie James Dio. Los Angeles comedian Brian Posehn, in addition, his comedic duties, performed a song from his upcoming GRANDPA METAL album accompanied by Scott Ian (Anthrax) and Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning), while local rockers Sadie & the Tribe opened the festivities with their set. Check out these EXCLUSIVE photos by Tyler Kanode of Brilliant Reverie Photography. Continue reading →


Dio Returns Announces First Dates for Hologram Tour

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As we previously reported The Dio Returns tour featuring the Dio Hologram is here and is finally coming to the United States this spring and summer! The Dio Returns U.S. Tour will feature a line-up of Dio band members of 17 years performing aside the stunning Ronnie James Dio hologram. Continue reading →


Dio Hologram Tour Confirmed For 2019, 100 Dates To Be Announced

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According to a published report via Billboard, Eyellusion, the company responsible for the Ronnie James Dio hologram tour plans, has signed with the Agency for the Performing Arts (APA), represented by agency partner Steve Martin. The Dio hologram will return to the road in April is set to hit over 100 cities in 2019. The legendary heavy metal singer died in 2010 at the age of 67 from stomach cancer. His hologram debuted at Wacken Open Air festival in August 2016 in front of more than 75,000 fans.Continue reading →


The 8th Annual Bowl For Ronnie Hosts Music Legends Next Month

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Ronnie James Dio, legendary metal frontman continues to impact fans and artists after passing away in 2010. For the 8th year in a row, Bowl For Ronnie supports Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, which will once again host a charity event and red carpet on October 6, 2017, at Pinz Bowling Center in Studio City, California. Continue reading →


Geoff Tates’ Operation: Mindcrime – Live at The Chance in Poughkeepsie

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Operation: Mindcrime, in support of their début album took to the legendary venue of The Chance to showcase material from The Key (Frontiers Records) album and as well as Queensryche classics in 90 minute set full of musicianship. With openers Mike Campesa, Christian Gisondi and Parallel Universe the crowd was well primed for a night of stories through songs.

Parallel Universe, by Omar Cordy/OJC Pics

Parallel Universe, by Omar Cordy/OJC Pics

Opening with a string of ‘Rchye songs starting with ‘Neue Regal’ and ‘Screaming in Digital’, the show was one big sing-a-long. Along for the ride again with Geoff Tate are drummer Simon Wright, the masterful time-keeper who just handled everything with such ease. Keyboardist wizard Randy Gane and guitar maestro Kelly Gray (who looks more like a frontiersman sheriff nowadays) bring their A game and some solid harmonies. New to the fold is second guitarist Scott Moughton and bassist Tim Fernley who both fit in smoothly with the bunch. They gel so well you forget they’re the rookies of the group.

Operation Mindcrime, by Omar Cordy/OJC Pics

Operation Mindcrime, by Omar Cordy/OJC Pics

 

Keeping the crowd guessing, the band went into an acoustic set of ‘Jet City Woman’, ‘Take Hold of the Flame’, ‘Silent Lucidity’ and ‘The Weight of the World’. After another story intro from Geoff, they preformed a slew of songs from The Key. From opener ‘Burn’ and ‘Re-Inventing the Future’ you get a glimpse at what this band has in store for this first act of a massively planned trilogy. With saxophone in hand they went into ‘The Fall’ which is one of my favorite songs off the album. Ending the night with ‘Breaking the Silence’ and ‘Empire’, everyone in attendance seemed well satisfied with the song choices of the evening.

Operation Mindcrime, by Omar Cordy/OJC Pics

Operation Mindcrime, by Omar Cordy/OJC Pics

From opener to headliner, this was a great night for progressive music fans. The year’s early, but this is easily one of my favorite shows of 2016. Operation: Mindcrime is a must see live act.

Operation Mindcrime, by Omar Cordy/OJC Pics

Operation Mindcrime, by Omar Cordy/OJC Pics

Operation Mindcrime, by Omar Cordy/OJC Pics

Operation Mindcrime, by Omar Cordy/OJC Pics

 

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WORDS AND PHOTOS BY OMAR CORDY

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Guns N Roses, Janes Addiction, etc Members Set To Perform At 2015 Bonzo Bash

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The 2015 Bonzo Bash NAMM Jam! will be happening at The Observatory in Santa Ana, CA on Thursday, January 22, 2015, with an all star cast set to perform.

With Bonzo Bash creator Brian Tichy newly endorsed by Ludwig-Musser Drums and Percussion, the legendary Ludwig is revealed as the main sponsor of the highly anticipated 2015 Bonzo Bash NAMM Jamm! Led Zeppelin’s John Henry “Bonzo” Bonham is consistently regarded as the #1 drummer in rock. Bonham played Ludwig drums his whole career and his name is synonymous with Ludwig.

Having Ludwig sponsor Bonzo Bash gives an added authenticity to the celebration! Tichy/ Sutton Productions is very excited to have the two entities come together, all in the name of John Bonham!

The following artists have been confirmed to participate in this year’s Bonzo Bash:
DRUMMERS:

Steven Adler (Guns n’ Roses / Adler)
Athena (Femme Fatale / Ex-Wives of Rock)
Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp / John Fogerty / Smashing Pumpkins)
Charlie Benante Fan Page (Anthrax)
Jimmy D’Anda (Lynch Mob / Lies, Deceit & Treachery)
Bevan Davies (Wayne Static / Danzig / Jerry Cantrell)
Cortney DeAugustine (Frank Hannon Band / Ronnie Montrose / Michael Lee Firkins)
Joe Franco (Good Rats / Twisted Sister)
John Hummel (Lady Gaga)
Brandon Kachel (Barbarian Overlords)
Corky Laing (Mountain / Bonzo Bash Legend Award Recipient)
Thomas Lang (Asia / John Wetton / Paul Gilbert)
Dave Lombardo (Slayer / Philm)
Khurt Maier (Salty Dog)
Roy Mayorga (Stone Sour)
Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction)
Mike Portnoy (The Winery Dogs / Dream Theater)
Gregg Potter (The Buddy Rich Band)
Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow / Black Sabbath)
Glen Sobel (Alice Cooper)
Matt Starr (Ace Frehley / Mr. Big)
Todd Sucherman (Styx)
Jason Sutter (Marilyn Manson / Foreigner / Chris Cornell)
Mike Terrana (Rage / Yngwie Malmsteen / Tony Macalpine)
Brian Tichy (Whitesnake / Foreigner / Ozzy Osbourne / Billy Idol)
Franklin Vanderbilt (Lenny Kravitz / Stevie Wonder / Chaka Khan)
Les Warner (The Cult / Bow Wow Wow)
Simon Wright (AC/DC / DIO / Queensryche)

SPECIAL GUESTS:
Burning Rain (Doug Alrich / Keith St. John / Sean McNabb / Matt Starr)
Host: Dean Delray (Rock n’ Roll Comedian)
Ali Handal (Neil Young / Paul Williams)
Robert Mason (Warrant)
Jeff Ocheltree (John Bonhams’s drum tech)
Mike Orlando – Fan Page (Adrenaline Mob)
Mitch Perry (MSG / Edgar Winter)
Dizzy Reed (Guns N’ Roses / The Dead Daisies / Hookers & Blow)
Phil X (The Drills / Bon Jovi)
The Moby Dicks: Michael Devin (Whitesnake), Stephen LeBlanc (Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Exp.), Brian Tichy (Whitesnake / Foreigner / Ozzy Osbourne / Billy Idol), Chas West (Bonham), Brent Woods Music (Vince Neil / Sebastian Bach)

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