Listen To DIO's 'Holy Diver' On Its 30th Anniversary!

Today, in 1983, DIO released their classic album 'Holy Diver'. Not only is this record considered one of the greatest album of all time, but it changed our music forever thanks to Ronnie James Dio's excellent delivery of vocals. After that, every singer out there was forced to step their game up.

The album was originally released on May 25th, 1983 and contained some of the greatest Dio songs ever written, including "Rainbow In The Dark," "Holy Diver, "Stand Up And Shout" and many more amazing Dio classics! Listen to it here:

Related links:
Official site of Ronnie James Dio DIO on MySpace Official Ronnie James Dio Facebook page

Ronnie James Dio's Wife Reflects On The Legacy Of Her Husband

Three years ago the Heavy Music community lost one of the most charismatic, charming, and down to earth rockers in history. Ronnie James Dio will never be forgotten and will keep influencing musicians forever. Tribute available HERE!

Ronnie's wife Wendy, reflected earlier today on her husbands death anniversary:

"Dear Friends,

Today is a difficult day for all of us. It has been three years since Ronnie's passing. Sometimes it feels like only yesterday and sometimes it feels like an eternity ago. Please take a moment of silence sometime in the day to remember him on this Anniversary of his death. I know you all loved him, and I thank you for keeping his music and his memory alive.

I take comfort in this old prayer I would like to share with you.

I cannot speak, but I can listen,
I cannot be seen, but I can be heard,
I am in the song you hear,
I am in the breeze you feel...
I am in the stars you see
I am still with you.

Peace be with all of us,"

- Wendy Dio

Related links:
Black Sabbath
Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund

3 Years Since The Heavy Music World Lost RONNIE JAMES DIO!

Three years ago the Heavy Music community lost one of the most charismatic, charming, and down to earth rockers in history. Ronnie James Dio is the emblem of Horns Up Rocks, not just because he popularized the "devil horns" (the Horns Up Rocks logo), but also because he was one of the most humble musicians ever. Not one person that had the privilege to meet Dio has one bad thing to say about him and always comment on what a great role model he was. Any musician out there reading this, should take note of Ronnie James Dio, a legend that will never be forgotten and will keep influencing musicians forever.

Here are some facts about the late great Ronnie James Dio:

- RJD was an Italian-American Heavy Metal vocalist and songwriter.

- He performed with: Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and his band Dio.

- Considered the most powerful singer in Heavy Metal history.

- Ranked as one of the greatest Rock vocalists of all time.

- Credited with popularizing the "devil horns" hand gesture in Metal culture.

- Prior to his death he was collaborating with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Vinny Appice, on a new Heaven & Hell album, which would have been the following to "The Devil You Know", released on April 28, 2009.

- Dio died of stomach cancer on May 16, 2010.

- One of the last songs he recorded was titled "Metal Will Never Die".

The last interview that Ronnie James Dio ever did:



The last public appearance of Ronnie James Dio:



Horns Up Rocks interview with Wendy Dio (wife of RJD) & Geezer Butler (band-mate of RJD):



Horns Up Rocks interview with Dean Schachtel (RJD's right hand man)



Related links:
Black Sabbath
Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund

DIO's "Finding The Sacred Heart - Live In Philly 1986" To Be Released Soon!

Ronnie James Dio made sure to always leave a lasting impression anytime he stepped on stage. To say that the Heavy Music world misses DIO is an understatement, but thankfully Niji Entertainment and Eagle Rock Entertainment are making sure that his legacy is always represented on a global scale.

This is why on May 28, 2013 they will be unleashing "Finding The Sacred Heart - Live In Philly 1986". This historic concert was recorded at The Spectrum in Philadelphia on June 17, 1986 during the second leg of the “Sacred Heart” tour, which featured NEW guitarist Craig Goldy. The show was issued in an edited form first on VHS and then DVD. Now for the first time, the full concert is being released as a double LP in the original running order and with remastered sound. It’s an extraordinary live show with a giant animatronic dragon towering over the stage and spectacular laers and pyrotechnics.

The DVD and Blu-ray versions offer fully restored film footage of the complete concert available for the first time. The audio on the 2CD and double LP is fully remastered.

The show features the Dio classics “Holy Diver,” “Don’t Talk To Strangers,” “Rock ‘n’ Roll Children,” “Sacred Heart,” “Stand Up And Shout,” “Rainbow In The Dark,” and “We Rock” plus other classic tracks from Ronnie James Dio’s career including “Heaven And Hell,” “Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll,” and “Man On The Silver Mountain”.

Bonus Features [on DVD and Blu-ray] include a "Sacred Heart Tour" featurette, an interview from ’86 and a separate interview with Ronnie & Craig, as well as the “Rock ‘n’ Roll Children” music video and a Behind The Scenes feature.

Ronnie James Dio and the band deliver a blistering live performance featuring tracks from their first three albums alongside Black Sabbath and Rainbow classics. For those who never got to experience the powerful vocals and mammoth stage prowess of Ronnie James Dio before his passing in 2010, this is the perfect opportunity to view this legendary icon in all his glory.

TRACK LISTING:

 

DVD/Blu-ray/CD:

1) Draco Ignis 

2) King Of Rock And Roll   

3) Like The Beat Of A Heart  

4) Don’t Talk To Strangers  

5) Hungry For Heaven  

6) Medley: The Last In Line / Children Of The Sea / Holy Diver / The Last In Line (reprise)  

7) Drum Solo  

8) Heaven And Hell  

9) Keyboard Solo  

10) Guitar Solo   

11) Sacred Heart  

12) Medley: Rock ‘n’ Roll Children / Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll / Man On The Silver Mountain / Rock ‘n’ Roll Children (reprise)  

13) Time To Burn  

14) Stand Up And Shout  

15) Rainbow In The Dark  

16) We Rock

 

Vinyl:

Side A: 1) Draco Ignis   2) King Of Rock And Roll   3) Like The Beat Of A Heart   4) Don’t Talk To Strangers   5) Hungry For Heaven   6) Medley: The Last In Line / Children Of The Sea / Holy Diver / The Last In Line (reprise)  

 

Side B: 1) Drum Solo   2) Heaven And Hell   3) Keyboard Solo   4) Guitar Solo  

 

Side C: 1) Sacred Heart   2) Medley: Rock ‘n’ Roll Children / Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll / Man On The Silver Mountain / Rock ‘n’ Roll Children (reprise)  

 

Side D: 1) Time To Burn   2) Stand Up And Shout   3) Rainbow In The Dark   4) We Rock

 

The line-up for the show was:

- Ronnie James Dio (vocals)
- Vinny Appice (drums)
- Jimmy Bain (bass)
- Craig Goldy (guitar)
- Claude Schnell (keyboards)

Related links:
Official site of Ronnie James Dio
DIO on MySpace
Official Ronnie James Dio Facebook page

Eddie Van Halen "Crashes" NAMM & Presents NEW Guitar Model!

Yesterday (Wednesday, January 23), guitar legend Eddie Van Halen "crashed" NAMM during media preview day at the Anaheim Convention Center in California.

Here is a description of the Eddie Van Halen EVH Stripe Series:

- The guitar features a basswood Stratocaster-style body decked out in Van Halen's famed striped graphics, in red with black stripes, black with yellow stripes and white with black stripes.

- The guitar also has a graphite-reinforced maple neck with a hand-rubbed oil finish and thumbwheel truss rod adjustment, compound-radius maple fingerboard (12"-16") with 22 jumbo frets and black dot inlays, and a single ferocious direct-mount Wolfgang humbucking pickup.

- Other premium features include a single white volume control knob (labeled "tone"), single-ply black pickguard (white with black stripes model only), bar string retainer and Floyd Rose locking nut, EVH-branded Floyd Rose locking tremolo with EVH D-Tuna, EVH die-cast tuners, chrome hardware, vintage-style strap buttons and EVH neck plate."

- The guitar is available in three finishes: red with black stripes, black with yellow stripes and white with black stripes, all for $1,199.98.

Related links:
Van Halen

Comedian/METALLICA Fan Jim Breuer To Get "Metal Makeover" Tonight In New Jersey - Details Available!

Tonight at 8 PM Eastern Time, comedian and Metal head Jim Breuer, will be getting a "Metal Makeover" at the Affliction Clothing store at the Garden State Plaza Mall in Paramus, New Jersey.

As we all know, or should know, comedian Jim Breuer is a big METALLICA head. Breuer actually performed his infamous comedy act earlier this year at METALLICA's "Orion Music + More" festival. In 2010, during a comedy show Breuer mocked James Hetfield and the late great Ronnie James Dio.



Related links:
Affliction Clothing
Jim Breuer
Metallica
Ronnie James Dio

Do You Want A Custom Tony Iommi Signature Electric Guitar?

Tony Iommi has donated a guitar to the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund Guitar Auction and the online bidding has begun.

The Fund: Formed in honor of the legendary singer who lost his life to stomach cancer, The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable fund dedicated to support cancer prevention research, raise awareness and educate the public with the focus that early detection and prevention is of vital importance when dealing with this deadly disease that robs families of it’s loved ones.After a star studded awards gala on Halloween night, the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund is participating in a celebrity guitar auction.

The Icons & Idols Rock N’ Roll Auction will be held at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Dec. 1 and 2. As part of the auction, nearly100 guitars signed by various celebrities and musicians will be auctioned off with proceeds benefiting the fund’s mission of cancer prevention, research and education.

The guitar: A Gibson custom Tony Iommi signature electric guitar signed in silver marker on the black body "Tony Iommi." The guitar features inlaid mother of pearl crosses on the neck that are typical of Iommi's other personal guitars. Serial number 135600617.

Click HERE to bid on Tony Iommi's guitar!

Proceeds from the sale of this item will benefit The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund.

Related links:
Van Halen
DIO's Cancer Fund

Win Eddie Van Halen's Guitar & Help Out Dio's Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund

Edward Van Halen has donated a guitar to the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund Guitar Auction and the online bidding has begun.

The Fund: Formed in honor of the legendary singer who lost his life to stomach cancer, The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable fund dedicated to support cancer prevention research, raise awareness and educate the public with the focus that early detection and prevention is of vital importance when dealing with this deadly disease that robs families of it’s loved ones.After a star studded awards gala on Halloween night, the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund is participating in a celebrity guitar auction.

The Icons & Idols Rock N’ Roll Auction will be held at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Dec. 1 and 2. As part of the auction, nearly 100 guitars signed by various celebrities and musicians will be auctioned off with proceeds benefiting the fund’s mission of cancer prevention, research and education.

The guitar: An EVH Wolfgang electric guitar signed on the black body in gold marker “Eddie Van Halen 2011.” The guitar is a prototype guitar that was custom made for Van Halen, no serial number.

Edward Van Halen was on the top 10 list of Rolling Stone’s list of top 100 guitarists last year, and this year, Guitar World’s poll named him “The Greatest Guitarist of All-Time”. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Bidding: You can bid on Eddie’s signed guitar HERE. It’s great cause and great charity.

As previously reported, Eddie Van Halen underwent an emergency surgery for a severe bout of diverticulitis. No further surgeries are needed and a full recovery is expected within four - six months. The long hospital stay of 3 weeks was required because surgery to remove the infected intestine resulted in another infection when Van Halen popped a few stitches.

Related links:
Van Halen
DIO's Cancer Fund

Blast From The Past: Jim Breuer Pays Tribute To METALLICA & DIO!

As we all know, or should know, comedian Jim Breuer is a big METALLICA head. Breuer actually performed his infamous comedy act earlier this year at METALLICA's "Orion Music + More" festival. In 2010, during a comedy show Breuer mocked James Hetfield and the late great Ronnie James Dio. Here is what he had to say about it:



Related links:
Jim Breuer
Metallica
Ronnie James Dio

Details Revealed For: 'Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund' Awards Gala!

The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund, founded in memory of the world-renowned voice of DIO, BLACK SABBATH and HEAVEN & HELL, will host its second awards gala on Halloween night, Wednesday, October 31 at the Avalon nightclub in Hollywood, California. Awards will be presented to seven distinguished honorees for their contributions to spreading awareness of Fund's important work.

A privately funded 501(c)(3) charity organization dedicated to cancer prevention, research and education, the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund has already raised more than $500,000 in its short history. Monies raised have been committed to the cancer research work of the T. J. Martell Foundation for cancer, AIDS and leukemia research and the gastric cancer research unit of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where Ronnie was treated for gastric cancer during the last six months of his life, according to Wendy Dio, widow of the late singer and fund president/founder.

The Halloween Spooktacular at the Avalon will include gourmet food stations and a hosted bar, a silent auction, live auction, an all-star rock 'n' roll jam featuring DIO DISCIPLES and a performance by the weirdly wonderful performance troupe CIRQUE BERSERK. VIP ticket levels will also be available.

Awards named after songs written by Ronnie James Dio will be presented to the following distinguished honorees:

* Man On The Silver Mountain Award
Honoree: Neil Warnock
Founder and CEO of The Agency Group worldwide

* Rainbow In The Dark Award
Honoree: Stanley J. Diamond
partner, Diamond & Wilson, and member of the Board of Directors of the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up & Shout Cancer Fund

* King Of Rock 'N Roll Award
Honoree: Tony Iommi
legendary guitarist for BLACK SABBATH and HEAVEN & HELL and recent cancer survivor

* Killing The Dragon Award
Honoree: Charlie Hernandez
President of QED Productions and veteran production manager, who, with partner Lori Tierney, are the driving force behind Just a Bunch of Roadies, a nonprofit organization formed by musical touring industry professionals to respond to humanitarian crises.

* Stand Up And Shout Award
Honoree: Bob Chiappardi
Founder and CEO of Concrete Marketing, one of the largest independent lifestyle marketing companies in the music industry,.known for its work with cutting edge rock and heavy metal artists

* Master Of The Moon Award
Honoree: Alex Hodges
CEO, Nederlander Concerts

* Sacred Heart Award
Honoree: Dr. Raul Mena
Director of the Roy and Patricia Disney Cancer Center in Burbank, who concentrates in the area of cancer research

Eddie Trunk of VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show", who was presented with the fund's Long Live Rock 'N Roll Award at last year's gala, will once again serve as special guest emcee.

"We are really looking forward to our second annual awards gala," says Dio Cancer Fund chairman Gloria Butler. "It will have quite a different feel from last year's inaugural extravaganza at the Playboy Mansion, this year replaced with ghosts and goblins on Halloween night at Avalon, an all-star jam, the amazing Cirque Berzerk, the fortune tellers, strolling magicians and free flowing delicacies. It's sure to be a 'spooktacular' night for a special cause."

Fund founder and president Wendy Dio adds: "The support the Dio Cancer Fund has received since its beginnings shortly after Ronnie's death has been overwhelming. Our mandate is cancer prevention, research and education, and we are proud and gratified to be able to recognize this year's honorees for their contributions toward spreading the word about our mission. Ronnie would have been so proud of what we have accomplished so far, and he would especially have loved to party on Halloween."

The Avalon is located at 1735 North Vine Street in Hollywood. General-admission tickets start at $200 with special VIP ticket packages that include reserved seating and admission to the Bardot Club are also available.

Information regarding the fund as well as tickets and sponsorships for the gala are available at www.diocancerfund.org.

The Ronnie James Dio Pint Glass Has Arrived & Every Serious Metalhead Should Get One!

Awesome news! Rock N Roll By the Pint, a creation by legendary Rock photographer Gene Kirkland, has just unleashed the "Ronnie James Dio Ping Glass". Kirkland's carrer spans over three decades and includes a who's who from A to Z. Being a fan of music and photography himself, this is his own unique way of blending the two arts to create a pint glass that can be displayed proudly either in your hand or on your shelf.

Get yours HERE now!

As previously reported, on Tuesday, October 9th, a second volume of Dio's best tracks will be unleashed via Niji Entertainment - 'The Very Beast of Dio Vol. 2' - a follow-up to the gold-certified 'The Very Beast of Dio.'

The 17-track CD picks up exactly where the first volume left off - from 1996 onward. And in addition to featuring such latter-day Dio classics as "Killing the Dragon," "Push," and "Fever Dreams," the compilation will also include several rarities that fans have long requested on a single disc - "Electra" (which previously was only a part of the ultra-rare 'Tournado' box set), "Prisoner of Paradise," and "Metal Will Never Die."

Related links:
Official site of Ronnie James Dio
DIO on MySpace
Official Ronnie James Dio Facebook page

More Details About The Arrest Of Jimmy Bain (Former Member Of DIO/Rainbow)!

As previously reported, former DIO/RAINBOW bassist James Stewart Bain (A.K.A. Jimmy Bain) was arrested on Tuesday night for DUI and illegally possessing prescription medication. Here are some excerpts of the Police report:

According to Sgt. Darin Ryburn of the Burbank, California police department, Bain, 64, was making a left out of the Fry's Home Electronics store parking lot in his 1995 green Toyota Camry on to westbound Vanowen Street, near Hollywood Way, about 9 p.m. Tuesday night (August 28) when he pulled in front another vehicle, causing a collision.

Police officers administered a field sobriety test, but Bain "failed to satisfactorily pass it," Ryburn told the Burbank Leader. They also discovered the musician was in possession of Vicodin pills without a valid prescription.

Bain, who had an outstanding felony warrant for drugs, was arrested on suspicion of DUI, possessing narcotic pills and the warrant, Ryburn said. He was released Wednesday after posting $60,000 bail.

The rocker is scheduled to appear in a Los Angeles County Superior courtroom on September 19.

Stay tuned for more information about this story.

Related links:
Jimmy Bain's Official Site
DIO's Official Site

Former RAINBOW/DIO Bassist Arrested For DUI & Prescription Medication - Details Available!

According to TMZ.com, former DIO/RAINBOW bassist James Stewart Bain (A.K.A. Jimmy Bain) was arrested last night for DUI and illegally possessing prescription medication. Here are some details about this incident:

- Bain, 64, got into a minor accident in his '95 Toyota Camry around 9:30 p.m. and failed a field sobriety test administered by responding police officers. The cops also found Vicodin pills that were not prescribed to Bain.

- Bain was arrested and booked for misdemeanor DUI and felony possession of prescription medication.

- Bain, who also had an outstanding drug warrant, was released on $60,000 bail.

- Bain was previously arrested in Hollywood, California on December 16, 2005 — just three days shy of his 58th birthday — on charges of driving while under the influence.

Stay tuned for more information about this story.

Related links:
Jimmy Bain's Official Site
DIO's Official Site

RONNIE JAMES DIO: Details Revealed For Volume 2 Of 'The Very Beast of Dio'!

In addition to fronting such legendary Hard Rock/Heavy Metal bands as Rainbow, Black Sabbath/Heaven and Hell, and Elf, singer Ronnie James Dio also was the leader of his own solo band, Dio, who were responsible for some of the all-time great rock anthems: "Holy Diver," "Rainbow in the Dark," and "The Last in Line," among many others. On Tuesday, October 9th, a second volume of Dio's best tracks will be unleashed via Niji Entertainment - 'The Very Beast of Dio Vol. 2' - a follow-up to the gold-certified 'The Very Beast of Dio.'

The 17-track CD picks up exactly where the first volume left off - from 1996 onward. And in addition to featuring such latter-day Dio classics as "Killing the Dragon," "Push," and "Fever Dreams," the compilation will also include several rarities that fans have long requested on a single disc - "Electra" (which previously was only a part of the ultra-rare 'Tournado' box set), "Prisoner of Paradise," and "Metal Will Never Die."

As the Dio Facebook Page Administrator, raves, "I absolutely know that every single Dio Fan is going to want 'The Very Beast Of Dio Vol. 2'! I'm a HUGE Dio fan, just like all of you, and I can't tell you how excited I am about this CD. I had the pleasure of listening to the CD that was produced, mixed, and remastered by Ronnie's longtime engineer, Wyn Davis, and it sounds BLOODY INSANE!!!"

Also included as part of the release will be liner notes penned by long-time supporter and friend of Ronnie's, Eddie Trunk from 'That Metal Show,' as well as an awesome front cover painting by artist Marc Sasso (who previously created the covers for Dio's 'Killing the Dragon' and 'Master of the Moon' albums).

'The Very Beast of Dio Vol. 2' will also be receiving a significant promotional push, as it will be promoted on Trunk's radio program, and will be given away via the infamous "Box of Junk" on an episode of 'That Metal Show.' And of course, the very popular official Ronnie James Dio Facebook page will get behind the release - which has over 735,000 fans (and receives between 800,000 to 1,000,000 hits per month).

As the Dio Facebook Page Administrator notes, "Just to let you know, the first 'Beast Of Dio' was only released in the USA and Canada, and has sold over 800,000 CD's to date! This CD will be in EVERY COUNTRY and our Dio Store too!"

The stellar music of Ronnie James Dio continues to live on. And the forthcoming 'The Very Beast of Dio Vol. 2' will be the perfect addition to every headbanger's collection.

TRACK LISTING FOR 'THE VERY BEAST OF DIO VOL. 2':

1) Killing the Dragon
2) Push
3) The Eyes
4) Along Comes A Spider
5) Better in the Dark
6) Fever Dreams
7) Black
8) Feed My Head
9) Shivers
10) Hunter of the Heart (Live)
11) One More for the Road
12) Lord of the Last Day
13) Electra (Bonus Track)
14) As Long As It's Not About Love
15) This is Your Life
16) Metal Will Never Die (Bonus Track)
17) Prisoner of Paradise (Bonus Track)

Join the revolution, contribute to our Indiegogo campaign! Click HERE: www.indiegogo.com/hornsup
 

Related links:
Official site of Ronnie James Dio
DIO on MySpace
Official Ronnie James Dio Facebook page

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE: Tribute To Ronnie James Dio At "Rock AM Ring" - Video Available!

On the weekend of April 20th, Heavy Music history was written at the New England Metal & Hardcore Festival in Worcester, Massachusetts. What exactly took place? Well, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE performed their first show with original vocalist Jesse Leach.

Yesterday (June 1st), KSE performed in front of thousands of fans at "Rock AM Ring" in Nürburgring, Germany. At the end of their performance, the band rocked their own version of DIO's "Holy Diver" in tribute of Ronnie James Dio. Check it out!



Leach sang on the band's first self-titled album, which came out in 2000, and on their landmark 2002 Roadrunner debut 'Alive Or Just Breathing'. Leach left the band in 2002 and was replaced by Howard Jones, but his work on 'Alive Or Just Breathing' has always been revered by diehard, longtime KILLSWITCH ENGAGE fans.

Here is some additional footage from the bands performance at "Rock AM Ring":









Upcoming Tour Dates:

- 6/8 Nickelsdorf, Austria @ Pannonia Fields II (Nova Rock)
- 6/15 Copenhagen, Denmark (Copenhell)
- 6/16 Gothenburg, Sweden (Metaltown)
- 6/22 Milan, Italy @ Arena Fiera Milano (Gods Of Metal)
- 6/24 Dessel, Belgium @ Festival Park ‘Stenehel’ (Grasspop)

Related links:
Official Site of Killswitch Engage

2 Years Since The Heavy Music World Lost RONNIE JAMES DIO!

Two years ago the Heavy Music community lost one of the most charismatic, charming, and down to earth rockers in history. Ronnie James Dio is the emblem of Horns Up Rocks, not just because he popularized the "devil horns" (the Horns Up Rocks logo), but also because he was one of the most humble musicians ever. Not one person that had the privilege to meet Dio has one bad thing to say about him and always comment on what a great role model he was. Any musician out there reading this, should take note of Ronnie James Dio, a legend that will never be forgotten and will keep influencing musicians forever.

Here are some facts about the great Ronnie James Dio:

- RJD was an Italian-American Heavy Metal vocalist and songwriter.

- He performed with: Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and his band Dio.

- Considered the most powerful singer in Heavy Metal history.

- Ranked as one of the greatest Rock vocalists of all time.

- Credited with popularizing the "devil horns" hand gesture in Metal culture.

- Prior to his death he was collaborating with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Vinny Appice, on a new Heaven & Hell album, which would have been the following to "The Devil You Know", released on April 28, 2009.

- Dio died of stomach cancer on May 16, 2010.

- One of the last songs he recorded was titled "Metal Will Never Die".

The last interview that Ronnie James Dio ever did:



The last public appearance of Ronnie James Dio:



Horns Up Rocks interview with Wendy Dio (wife of RJD) & Geezer Butler (band-mate of RJD):



Horns Up Rocks interview with Dean Schachtel (RJD's right hand man)



Related links:
Black Sabbath
Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund

PANTERA To Celebrate 20 Years Of 'Vulgar Display Of Power' At The Revolver Golden Gods Awards!

Right before the official start of the show, PANTERA will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their landmark album, 'Vulgar Display of Power', with the worldwide debut of their first music video in 12 years, for the previously unreleased song, “Piss,” from the Vulgar recording sessions. PANTERA drummer Vinnie Paul commented, “‘Piss’ is the only unheard complete Pantera track in existence. It was recorded at the same time as Vulgar Display of Power and it’s 100 percent Pantera with attitude and our signature groove! After mixing it, I can’t believe it didn’t make the record! So it’s 2012 and 20 years later and new Pantera music has been delivered. Cheers!”



Cast your vote now at Golden Gods Awards.com. The nominees for the 2012 REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARDS presented by Epiphone® are:

Best Guitarist, presented by Epiphone®:

- Jinxx and Jake Pitts (Black Veil Brides)
- Zoltan Bathory and Jason Hook (Five Finger Death Punch)
- Willie Adler and Mark Morton (Lamb of God)
- Robb Flynn and Phil Demmel (Machine Head)
- Dave Mustaine and Chris Broderick (Megadeth)
- Matt Heafy and Corey Beaulieu (Trivium)

Best Drummer, presented by Drum Workshop®:

- Charlie Benante (Anthrax)
- Jeremy Spencer (Five Finger Death Punch)
- Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters)
- Chris Adler (Lamb of God)
- Brann Dailor (Mastodon)
- Tomas Haake (Meshuggah)

Best Vocalist, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink®:

- Sebastian Bach
- Andy Biersack (Black Veil Brides)
- James Durbin
- Amy Lee (Evanescence)
- Ivan Moody (Five Finger Death Punch)
- Jonathan Davis (Korn)

Album of the Year, presented by Marshall Amplification®:

- Anthrax, Worship Music
- Evanescence, Evanescence
- Five Finger Death Punch, American Capitalist
- Foo Fighters, Wasting Light
- Korn, The Path of Totality
- Lamb of God, Resolution

Best Live Band, presented by Samson/Zoom®:

- Avenged Sevenfold
- Foo Fighters
- Guns N’ Roses
- Judas Priest
- Seether
- Tool

Most Metal Athlete:

- Gina Carano (MMA fighting)
- Brian Deegan (pro motocross)
- Evan Longoria (MLB baseball)
- Dirk Nowitzki (NBA basketball)
- Mitch Petrus (NFL football)
- CM Punk (WWE wrestling)

Comeback of the Year, presented by Eagle Rock Entertainment®:

- Anthrax
- Dream Theater
- Evanescence
- Ministry
- Slipknot
- Van Halen

Riff Lord:

- Scott Ian (Anthrax)
- Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society)
- Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters)
- Munky (Korn)
- Slash
- Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen)

Paul Gray Best Bassist, presented by Dean Markley®:

- Frank Bello (Anthrax)
- Michael Anthony (Chickenfoot)
- Fieldy (Korn)
- David Ellefson (Megadeth)
- Nikki Sixx (Sixx:A.M.)
- Wolfgang Van Halen (Van Halen)

Best International Band, presented by Musicians Institute®:

- Behemoth
- Lacuna Coil
- Rammstein
- Sepultura
- Meshuggah
- X Japan

Most Dedicated Fans:

- Asking Alexandria
- Avenged Sevenfold
- Black Veil Brides
- Evanescence
- Falling in Reverse
- HIM

Related links:
Click here to cast your votes for the 2012 Revolver Golden Gods Awards
Click here to purchase your tickets on Ticketmaster.com

RUSH To Be Honored At The Revolver Golden Gods Awards In Los Angeles, CA!

America’s only Hard Rock and Heavy Metal award show is back for 2012! The fourth annual REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARD SHOW presented by Epiphone® will take place Wednesday, April 11, at Club Nokia in Downtown Los Angeles. For the first time ever, the event will be broadcast live in its entirety on Xbox LIVE, as well as on the Xbox and Revolver Facebook pages. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

It was recently announces that "The Ronnie James Dio Lifetime Achievement Award", presented by XBOX LIVE, will go to prog-rock pioneers RUSH, who will release their highly anticipated 19th studio album, 'Clockwork Angels', this year on Roadrunner Records. (Previous honorees include hard-rock and metal legends MÖTLEY CRÜE, Lemmy Kilmister of MOTÖRHEAD and Ozzy Osbourne.) The award will be presented by Jack Black and Kyle Gass of TENACIOUS D, whose new record, 'Rize Of The Fenix', hits stores on May 15.

RUSH's Neil Peart commented, "We are honored and delighted to receive this honor — especially because it will be presented by Jack and Kyle. Our 'lifetimes' are not over yet, and we dearly hope our 'achievements' are not either, so I suppose you could say that to us this is the 'So Far, So Good' award." Of presenting the award, Black commented, "RUSH was the most impressive band, musically, when I was just learning about rock. Weirdly, they got your body moving in interpretive-dancing ways, but it was still aggressive. Their stuff was just so complex and so tasty!"



Cast your vote now at Golden Gods Awards.com. The nominees for the 2012 REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARDS presented by Epiphone® are:

Best Guitarist, presented by Epiphone®:

- Jinxx and Jake Pitts (Black Veil Brides)
- Zoltan Bathory and Jason Hook (Five Finger Death Punch)
- Willie Adler and Mark Morton (Lamb of God)
- Robb Flynn and Phil Demmel (Machine Head)
- Dave Mustaine and Chris Broderick (Megadeth)
- Matt Heafy and Corey Beaulieu (Trivium)

Best Drummer, presented by Drum Workshop®:

- Charlie Benante (Anthrax)
- Jeremy Spencer (Five Finger Death Punch)
- Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters)
- Chris Adler (Lamb of God)
- Brann Dailor (Mastodon)
- Tomas Haake (Meshuggah)

Best Vocalist, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink®:

- Sebastian Bach
- Andy Biersack (Black Veil Brides)
- James Durbin
- Amy Lee (Evanescence)
- Ivan Moody (Five Finger Death Punch)
- Jonathan Davis (Korn)

Album of the Year, presented by Marshall Amplification®:

- Anthrax, Worship Music
- Evanescence, Evanescence
- Five Finger Death Punch, American Capitalist
- Foo Fighters, Wasting Light
- Korn, The Path of Totality
- Lamb of God, Resolution

Best Live Band, presented by Samson/Zoom®:

- Avenged Sevenfold
- Foo Fighters
- Guns N’ Roses
- Judas Priest
- Seether
- Tool

Most Metal Athlete:

- Gina Carano (MMA fighting)
- Brian Deegan (pro motocross)
- Evan Longoria (MLB baseball)
- Dirk Nowitzki (NBA basketball)
- Mitch Petrus (NFL football)
- CM Punk (WWE wrestling)

Comeback of the Year, presented by Eagle Rock Entertainment®:

- Anthrax
- Dream Theater
- Evanescence
- Ministry
- Slipknot
- Van Halen

Riff Lord:

- Scott Ian (Anthrax)
- Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society)
- Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters)
- Munky (Korn)
- Slash
- Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen)

Paul Gray Best Bassist, presented by Dean Markley®:

- Frank Bello (Anthrax)
- Michael Anthony (Chickenfoot)
- Fieldy (Korn)
- David Ellefson (Megadeth)
- Nikki Sixx (Sixx:A.M.)
- Wolfgang Van Halen (Van Halen)

Best International Band, presented by Musicians Institute®:

- Behemoth
- Lacuna Coil
- Rammstein
- Sepultura
- Meshuggah
- X Japan

Most Dedicated Fans:

- Asking Alexandria
- Avenged Sevenfold
- Black Veil Brides
- Evanescence
- Falling in Reverse
- HIM

Related links:
Click here to cast your votes for the 2012 Revolver Golden Gods Awards
Click here to purchase your tickets on Ticketmaster.com

Have You Seen Ronnie James Dios' Statue In Bulgaria?

As we all know, Ronnie James Dio is one of the most influential vocalists in Heavy Music history. When ha passed away on May 16, 2010, he left a huge void in our scene. At the time we wondered how he would be tributed. This sculpture is located at the Bulgarian Black-sea coastal town of Kavarna and is by far the best tribute to Dio we have seen! Thanks Alexander Petrov and Krasimir Krastev - Lomsky, for sculpting this badass statue of our Metal messiah!



RELATED LINKS:
Official site of Ronnie James Dio
DIO on MySpace
Official Ronnie James Dio Facebook page

Ronnie James Dio Tribute Album to Feature Members of Judas Priest, Motörhead, Alice Cooper, Deep Purple, Skid Row, Foo Fighters & More!

Wendy Dio, the widow and longtime manager of the late great Ronnie James Dio, is currently assembling a Ronnie James Dio tribute album. Here are some of the artists that are confirmed to appear on this special tribute album:

- Judas Priest's Rob Halford
- Motörhead's Lemmy Kilmister
- Deep Purple's Ian Gillan
- Alice Cooper
- Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath)
- Sebastian Bach (Skid Row)
- Chris Jericho (Fozzy)
- Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters)

The Ronnie James Dio tribute album, is tentatively due before the end of the year. So far, it has been revealed that this tribute album will see Grohl covering Black Sabbath's "The Mob Rules" and Halford contributing a version of Rainbow's "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll".



Related links:
DIO's Official Site