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Three years ago the Heavy Music community lost one of the most charismatic, charming, and down to earth rockers in history.Ronnie James Diowill 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.
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
70 years ago, Ronnie James Dio (RIP) was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States. The Italian family lived in Portsmouth until the family moved to Cortland, New York early in his life. He initially played the trumpet and French horn and even recorded several singles with various rockabilly bands when he was a boy. When he was in high school, he joined a band called The Vegas Kings, in which he played the bass guitar. He eventually became the lead singer of this band which changed its name to Ronnie & The Rumblers and finally to Ronnie & The Red Caps.
Fast forward to 1967, when Ronnie Dio and the Prophets disbanded in 1967, when he and Prophets guitarist Nick Pantas started a NEW band called the Electric Elves (in 1969 the names was shorten to Elf). Eventually they went on to become an opening act for Deep Purple while recording three albums. Elf was Dio's first groundbreaking band. As we all know, Dio later became part of Rainbow and Black Sabbath (Heaven and Hell). He also fronted his own band Dio, and was part of a slew of musical projects.
Dio died at 7:45 am (CDT) on May 16, 2010, of metastasized stomach cancer.
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".
Here is a video of ANTHRAX's drummer Charlie Benante laying down a cover version of the BLACK SABBATH classic "Neon Knights" for inclusion on the upcoming Ronnie James Dio tribute album.
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)
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".
Your television sets will experience a tremendous amount of Rocking and Rolling tomorrow Saturday, May 28, as VH1 Classic premieres the Revolver Golden Gods Awards at 10 PM Eastern. We suggest that you pick up a 12 pack of your favorite beverage, and that you crank up the volume as loud as possible! Then glue your eyes to your TV's, as Dave Grohl enters the stage at Club Nokia in Los Angeles and leaves you with the awesome Heavy Music (NOT!) of Justin Bieber! We are so lucky that Chris Jericho reacted immediately and...
Here is the OFFICIAL trailer:
Oh, wait a minute, you didn't think we were going to ruin the show for you, did you? What we can do is give you a rundown of who you can expect to see on national television tomorrow night and since its Heavy Music on TV, we'll do in analphabetical order just to get you in a chaotic mode:
- William Shattner: Received an award - Wendy Dio: Presenter - Volbeat: Performers - Vinnie Paul (Pantera, Damageplan & Hellyeah): Performer - Steve Jones (Sex Pistols): Performer - Sebastian Bach: Performer - Scott Ian (Anthrax): Presenter and performer - Rob Zombie: Presenter - Rammstein: Presenters - Mötley Crüe: Received an award - Max Cavalera (Soulfly & Cavalera Conspiracy): Presenter - Lars Ulrich & Robert Trujillo (Metallica): Presenters - Jerry Cantrell & Mike Inez (Alice In Chains): Presenters - Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath): Presenter - Corey Taylor (Slipknot & Stone Sour): Presenter and performer - Chris Jericho (Fozzy): Host and performer - Duff McKaggan: Performer - Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters): Cameo appearance - Brian Posehn (Comedian): Presenter - Avenged Sevenfold: Performers and received an award - Asking Alexandria: Performers - Alice Cooper: Performer and received an award
Wait a minute, so out of all this badass amazing musicians which ones survived the final edit of VH1 Classic's version of the 2011 Revolver Golden Gods Awards?
- "School's Out" (Original Alice Cooper band) - "I Only Want to Be With You" (Originally by Dusty Springfield, performed by Volbeat with Scott Ian) - "Mouth for War" (Originally by Pantera, performed by Avenged Sevenfold with Vinnie Paul) - "Electric Eye" (Originally by Judas Priest, performed by Loaded with Corey Taylor and Steve Jones) - "Youth Gone Wild" (Originally by Skid Row, performed by Asking Alexandria with Sebastian Bach)
What we will never understand is why they didn't include the Black Flag tribute. Perhaps, the people at VH1 Classic don't understand how influential the Hardcore Punk Rock giants are to many Heavy Metal bands? Or did someone forget to press record? Makes no sense at all!
Now that we have that out of our chests, here are the GOLDEN GODS of 2011:
\m/ - Hunted: The Demon’s Forge® Golden God Award: Alice Cooper (presented by Rob Zombie)
\m/ - Ronnie James Dio Lifetime Achievement Award: Mötley Crüe (presented by Corey Taylor of Slipknot/Stone Sour)
\m/ - Honorary Headbanger Award: William Shatner (presented by Scott Ian of Anthrax and The Damned Things and comedian Brian Posehn)
\m/ - Epiphone® Best Guitarists Award: Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance of Avenged Sevenfold (presented by Robb Flynn of Machine Head and Wayne Static of Static X)
\m/ - Drum Workshop® Best Drummer Award: Mike Portnoy for his work with Avenged Sevenfold (presented by Vinnie Paul of Pantera/HellYeah)
\m/ - Best New Band Award: Black Veil Brides (presented by Duff McKagan of Loaded/Velvet Revolver/Guns N’ Roses)
\m/ - Most Metal Athlete Award: Skateboarder Mike Vallely (presented by Chino Moreno of Deftones)
\m/ - Rockstar Energy® Best Vocalist Award: M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold (presented by Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless and Sebastian Bach)
\m/ - Samson/Zoom® Best Live Band Award: Rammstein (presented by Charlie Benante of Anthrax and Mike Portnoy)
\m/ - Eagle Rock® Comeback of the Year Award: Murderdolls (presented by David Coverdale of Whitesnake)
\m/ - Affliction® Album of the Year Award: Avenged Sevenfold (presented by Jerry Cantrell and Mike Inez of Alice in Chains)
"I don't know what metal is anymore. I don't think we're it. Classic metal to me is Judas Priest and the first Iron Maiden record. Loaded plays a lot of European festivals, and we see a lot of [Extreme Metal]. Compared to that we're a little pop band." - Duff McKaggan
This Saturday, May 28, 2011, VH1 Classic will premiere their exclusive coverage of the 2011 Revolver Golden Gods Awards at 10:00 PM ET/PT. If you were not able to be there in person, this is your chance to experience the historic event that brought together various Heavy Music icons to the Nokia Club in downtown Los Angeles. Here is the Official press release:
"The 2011 REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARDS VH1 Classic special is hosted by Chris Jericho (Dancing With the Stars, WWE, Fozzy) and features performances from: Alice Cooper performing his classic anthem “School’s Out” with the living members of his original band, Avenged Sevenfold performing Pantera’s “Mouth for War” with Vinnie Paul (Pantera), Sebastian Bach performing Skid Row’s “Youth Gone Wild” with Asking Alexandria, Duff McKagan (Loaded, Guns N’ Roses), Steve Jones (Sex Pistols) and Corey Taylor (Slipknot, Stone Sour) performing Judas Priest’s “Electric Eye,” and Scott Ian (Anthrax) and Volbeat performing Dusty Springfield’s “I Only Want To Be With You.”
The hour-long REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARDS special features winners and presenters including:
\m/ Hunted: The Demon’s Forge® Golden God Award: Alice Cooper, presented by Rob Zombie. \m/ Ronnie James Dio Lifetime Achievement Award: Mötley Crüe, presented by Corey Taylor of Slipknot and Stone Sour. \m/ Honorary Headbanger Award: William Shatner, presented by Scott Ian of Anthrax and The Damned Things and comedian Brian Posehn. \m/Affliction® Album of the Year Award: Avenged Sevenfold, presented by Jerry Cantrell and Mike Inez of Alice in Chains.
Other notable appearances at the 2011 broadcast include Metallica’s Lars Ulrich and Robert Trujillo, Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction), comedian Brian Posehn, Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler and many more."
One year 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 Jose Mangin (Sirius XM Liquid Metal) about his interview with RJD:
Horns Up Rocks interview with Don Jamieson (That Metal Show) about the legacy of RJD:
When Black Sabbath was founded in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne, Tonny Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, their initial musical style was Heavy Blues-Rock. After struggling to build an audience, the band started to incorporate lyrics that blended occult and horror themes with tuned-down guitars. This is also when their songs started to deal with social and political issues such as drugs and war. This new direction of the band caught the attention of many people across Europe that had never heard anything like Black Sabbath. From that moment on the band decided to stay true to their new sound and to always leave their mark wherever they performed at. Most of the time they did this through their live performance, but sometimes they did it by being the life of the party.
While the band's purpose was never to become the pioneers of Heavy Metal along with Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, or to be labeled as the most important band in Heavy Music history. The four man sacrificed everything they had in order to make music their lives because they didn't want to have to get a "real" job. Just like any successful band out there, Black Sabbath has faced many obstacles and has gone through numerous lineup changes. The most notorious lineup change was when the great Ronnie James Dio replaced Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, after Ozzy was fired due to his out of control behavior caused by his alcoholism. This obviously changed the sound of the band since Ozzy and Dio have different singing styles. However, this major obstacle was beaten by Black Sabbath without any hiccups and it offered the fans a more dynamic sound.
As far as challenges go, the most notorious one is when guitarist Tony Iommi lost the tip of his fingers while working at a sheet Metal factory when he was 17 years old. After almost giving up his career in music, his boss encouraged him to reinvent his sound when he played him a record by jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, who had a similar accident and despite limited use of his fretting hand following an injury, became a musical phenomenon. Many say that this accident is what created the unique sound that Tony Iommi possesses and that gave Black Sabbath their signature sound.
Here are some facts about Black Sabbath:
- Black Sabbath was formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969. - 22 musicians have at one time been members of Black Sabbath. Tony Iommi is the only member that has been with Black Sabbath consistently. - They have sold over 15 million records in the US and more than 50 million records worldwide. - Ranked by MTV as the "Greatest Metal Band" of all time. - Placed second in VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock" list, behind Led Zeppelin. - After a few albums with Dio on vocals, the band ehad various line-up changes in the 1980s and 1990s. This changes included vocalists: Ian Gillan, Glenn Hughes, Ray Gillen and Tony Martin. - In 1992, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler rejoined Dio and drummer Vinny Appice to record "Dehumanizer". - The original Black Sabbath line-up reunited with Ozzy Osbourne in 1997 and released a live album, titled "Reunion". - The 1979–1982 and 1991–1992 line-up: Tonny Iommi, Geezer Butler, Ronnie James Dio, and Vinny Appice, rejoined forces in 2006 under the moniker Heaven & Hell. And were together until Dio's death on 16 May 2010.
After the death of singer Ronnie James Dio, the band went on hiatus and it is unknown if Ozzy will reunite with the rest of the boys and bring the original Black Sabbath back to surface. Right now the focus of the band and specially Wendy Dio (Dio's wife), is to raise money for Cancer treatment through the "Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund". Right now they are having different musicians in the music scene donate guitars that will be auctioned sometime in October. On the other hand, bassist Geezer Butler is writing a new album for his solo project GZR and writing a book of memoirs.
Here is an EXCLUSIVE "Black carpet" interview we did with Geezer Butler and Wendy Dio, at the 2011 Revolver Golden Gods Awards. \m/
Yesterday downtown Los Angeles was dressed in black for a Metallic freak show, in which the elite of Heavy Music was present for Episode III of the Revolver Golden Gods Awards. As soon as we arrived to the "Black Carpet" there were kids waiting anxiously to greet all their heroes and to perhaps get their idols signatures. Then add hundreds of reporters wanting to squeeze in an interview with some of the most prolific names in Heavy Music and you have a headbangers paradise.
The crowd went absolutely bezerk when Sebastian Bach arrived, which called the attention of those that were just passing by. Seeing their faces was absolutely priceless! Imagine you are having a family lunch and all of a sudden you see al these kids wearing black, looking like they came from war, and next thing you know Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, and Geezer Butler swing by. While those people had no idea what was happening, it was evident that for one day downtown Los Angeles was hell!
Here are some of the maniacs we got to interview while at the "Black Carpet":
- Alan Robert (Life Of Agony) - Anthrax - Chino Moreno (deftones) - Chris Jericho (Fozzy) - David Coverdale (Whitesnake) - Duff McKagan (Loaded) - Geezer Butler & Wendy Dio (Black Sabbath & Heaven and Hell) - Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed, Kingdom of Sorrow, Jasta) - Robb Flynn & Dave McClain (Machine Head) - Shawn Crahan (Slipknot) - Tony Campos (Static X) - Vinnie Paul (Hellyeah) - Wayne Static (Static X)
Once the "Black Carpet" was closed for business everyone rushed inside for the awards show. The event was hosted by Chris Jericho, who's band Fozzy kicked off the night of Heavy Music paradise. From there on, the large crowd who showed up at Club Nokia got a good cocktail of Heavy Music. Here are some of the highlights of the night, when it comes to the performances:
- The original Alice Cooper band played a ferocious set full of attitude, good music and were received with the horns up by all attendees. These guys proved that the older they get, the better they sound.
- History was written when Avenged Sevenfold brought on stage Duff McKagan to perform "It's So Easy" and Vinnie Paul to perform "Mouth For War" with them.The crowd lost their minds and are still looking for their sanity. We don't think they will ever find it.
- Devil Driver's tribute to Black Flag featuring skateboarder Mike Vallely, Brazilian musical terrorist Max Cavalera, and Hardcore legend Jamey Jasta, was absolutely insane. This was the first time the circle pit was in full effect.
- Duff McKagan's Loaded brought the masses the perfect segue to the more intense performances of the night, and delivered an epic cover of Judas Priest's "Electric Eye" featuring Corey Taylor and Steve Jones. In our opinion Corey stole the show!
- Asking Alexandria were joined by Sebastian Bach and were on fire while performing Skid Row's "Youth Gone Wild". Bach proved that he is one hell of a singer, and one hell of a guy!
- Volbeat brought their Danish power to the masses, and proved why they are one of the best bands to have recently shown their faces and fists in the Heavy Music world. During their set they were joined by Scott Ian from Anthrax and together they performed Dusty Springfield’s “I Only Want To Be With You”.
Now that we have that out of the way, here are the GOLDEN GODS of 2011:
\m/ - Hunted: The Demon’s Forge® Golden God Award: Alice Cooper (presented by Rob Zombie)
\m/ - Ronnie James Dio Lifetime Achievement Award: Mötley Crüe (presented by Corey Taylor of Slipknot/Stone Sour)
\m/ - Honorary Headbanger Award: William Shatner (presented by Scott Ian of Anthrax and The Damned Things and comedian Brian Posehn)
\m/ - Epiphone® Best Guitarists Award: Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance of Avenged Sevenfold (presented by Robb Flynn of Machine Head and Wayne Static of Static X)
\m/ - Drum Workshop® Best Drummer Award: Mike Portnoy for his work with Avenged Sevenfold (presented by Vinnie Paul of Pantera/HellYeah)
\m/ - Best New Band Award: Black Veil Brides (presented by Duff McKagan of Loaded/Velvet Revolver/Guns N’ Roses)
\m/ - Most Metal Athlete Award: Skateboarder Mike Vallely (presented by Chino Moreno of Deftones)
\m/ - Rockstar Energy® Best Vocalist Award: M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold (presented by Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless and Sebastian Bach)
\m/ - Samson/Zoom® Best Live Band Award: Rammstein (presented by Charlie Benante of Anthrax and Mike Portnoy)
\m/ - Eagle Rock® Comeback of the Year Award: Murderdolls (presented by David Coverdale of Whitesnake)
\m/ - Affliction® Album of the Year Award: Avenged Sevenfold (presented by Jerry Cantrell and Mike Inez of Alice in Chains)
Stay tuned for all of our EXCLUSIVE interviews! \m/
“Lady Gaga tweets about it. James Durbin brings it on American Idol. And our host Chris Jericho represents it on Dancing With the Stars. Metal is taking over the mainstream, and the Revolver Golden Gods is its biggest, baddest celebration. If you missed the party, punch yourself in the balls… Or pick up the Golden Gods issue of Revolver on May 24, tune in to VH1 Classic on May 28, and we’ll see you next year!” –Revolver magazine Editor-in-Chief Brandon Geist
