NIJI ENTERTAINMENT GROUP TO ISSUE DIO AT DONINGTON UK THIS NOVEMBER
NIJI ENTERTAINMENT GROUP INC. TO ISSUE FIRST RELEASE – ‘DIO AT DONINGTON UK: LIVE 1983 AND 1987′ 2 CD SET ON NOVEMBER 9TH, 2010
2010 will go down as the year that we lost one of hard rock/heavy metal’s all-time great vocalists, Ronnie James Dio (after a valiant battle with cancer). Throughout a career that saw Ronnie pen or co-pen classics with such legendary acts as Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and with his solo group, Dio, there are simply not enough words to describe the singer’s contribution to rock music worldwide. And to celebrate the life of the man that has become synonymous with metal, several new releases will soon be arriving, that are certain to please Dio’s large and loyal fanbase.
On November 9th, the double disc set, ‘Dio at Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987′ will be released. The first disc was recorded at the first-ever UK performance by Dio’s solo group, while on tour supporting their classic debut, ‘Holy Diver.’ And the set-list does a superb job reflecting Dio’s debut (featuring such classics as “Rainbow in the Dark,” “Stand Up And Shout,” etc.), as well as classics from both Rainbow and Black Sabbath (“Man on the Silver Mountain,” “Heaven and Hell,” etc.) – resulting in a thoroughretrospective of Dio’s career, from Rainbow to Black Sabbath to solo hits.
The second disc of ‘Dio at Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987′ features guitarist Craig Goldy’s debut – recorded in 1987, in support of the ‘Dream Evil’ album, and contains highlights from Dio’s career. ‘Dio at Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987′ will be the very first release from the Niji Entertainment Group (which was formed by Ronnie James Dio and his wife/manager, Wendy Dio, in early 2010). The set will be released as a deluxe digipak including a booklet filled with rare photographs and liner notes, and original replica all access laminates from both shows.
Ronnie was the executive producer on the Donington project, and was very much looking forward to the release. The Niji Entertainment Group is a full service record label, and will be releasing rare and unreleased recordings from Dio and other artists.
November 23rd will see two additional releases from the Niji Entertainment Group – a deluxe limited edition picture disc of Dio’s classic solo debut, ‘Holy Diver,’ and ‘Bitten By The Beast’ from David “Rock” Feinstein. “Rock” is Ronnie’s cousin, and was a member of Elf, and the leader of the legendary NY band The Rods. ‘Bitten By The Beast,’ features the single “Metal Will Never Die,” with lead vocals by Ronnie James Dio. This single will be heavily worked to active rock and metal radio this fall.
In 2011, the Niji Entertainment Group has many other Dio-related projects planned, including an extensive vinyl box set (an idea that Ronnie himself came up with), ‘For The Record: The Complete Dio Vinyl Collection,’ which will feature 16 LP’s in a deluxe carrying case, with “all access tour laminates” from every tour. All of the LP’s will be on 180 gram colored vinyl. Also, being released for the first time on DVD will be ‘Super Rock Japan 1985′ (which was only ever released in Japan on VHS). Another forthcoming DVD release will be a collection of every Dio MTV promotional video, plus live concert footage including bonus features, including interviews with Ronnie, his band, and crew.
A Dio bootleg box set is on the horizon as well, featuring never-before-released sound board recordings and audience recordings. Other releases from the Niji Entertainment Group in 2011 will include all four Rainbow Dio-era LP’s in their original gatefold sleeves on 180 gram colored vinyl, and all three Elf LP’s will be issued on 180 gram colored vinyl. 2011 will also see deluxe reissues from Tim “Ripper” Owens, a fantastic new CD from Oni Logan (Lynch Mob vocalist), and Rowan Robertson (Dio guitarist), as well as live Elf.
Between Facebook, Myspace and Twitter, the Dio social media followers now numbers over one million. The Niji Entertainment Group is in the process of starting the official Dio webstore, which will give fans worldwide opportunity to purchase t-shirts, limited edition items, and CD’s/DVD’s that fans have been requesting.
While Ronnie was alive, he always wanted to have his own action figure/statue.
And now, this has become a reality – KnuckleBonz has created the Ronnie James Dio rock iconz statue, which will be available in late fall 2010.
These statues are only produced in limited edition runs of 3000, which make them highly collectible and sought after from fans. A portion from the sales of the Dio statue will go to the Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund, in honor of Ronnie James Dio. Preorders available by visiting knucklebonz.com.
DIO live from Heaven and Hell/Megadeth/Down Sunday, March 11, 2007 Pacific Coliseum Vancouver, BC Canada
Aces & Ales pub in Las Vegas (owned by Alice Cooper guitarist Keri Kelli) is hosting an online auction, with 100% of all proceeds going to the Ronnie James Dio “Stand Up & Shout” cancer fund. There are many great, R’n'R and beer related items—from Alice Cooper and KISS to Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada!
PLEASE visit the link below to view the catalog and bid on items. The auction will run through Monday August 16th at 6PM PST.
One of the greatest hard rock singers of all time, the late Ronnie James Dio brought a stylized, sophisticated nature to the heavy side of rock. He and his band, Dio, whipped the London crowd at the Astoria Theater into a frenzy when they took the stage and plowed through the classic Holy Diver album in its entirety. Holy Diver Live features not only this 2005 performance, which is also peppered with choice tunes from RJD’s Black Sabbath and Rainbow days, but a bonus band interview. Originally released on DVD in 2006, this high-def version is a fitting tribute to a true icon. [MSRP $19.98]
Release Date: October 12 (pre-book order date September 17)
HEAVEN & HELL's DIO Tribute At U.K.'s HIGH VOLTAGE Festival
Surviving HEAVEN & HELL members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice played a very special tribute to their fallen bandmate, Ronnie James Dio, this past Saturday (July 24) at the High Voltage festival at Victoria Park in London, England. The musicians were joined by legendary former DEEP PURPLE and BLACK SABBATH man Glenn Hughes and Norwegian vocalist Jorn Lande, who sings for power metallers MASTERPLAN and has just released his own tribute to Ronnie.
The setlist was as follows (vocalist for each track listed in parenthesis):
01. The Mob Rules (Jorn Lande)
02. I (Jorn Lande)
03. Country Girl (Glenn Hughes)
04. Children Of The Sea (Glenn Hughes)
05. Turn Up The Night (Jorn Lande)
06. Voodoo (Jorn Lande)
07. Bible Black (Glenn Hughes)
08. Falling Off The Edge Of The World (Glenn Hughes)
09. Die Young (Jorn Lande)
10. Heaven And Hell (Jorn Lande, Glenn Hughes)
11. Neon Knights (Jorn Lande, Glenn Hughes, Philip Anselmo)
Check out a professional photo gallery from Express & Star.
Proceeds from this performance will go to the Ronnie James Dio “Stand Up And Shout” Cancer Fund.
Immediately following the High Voltage concert, Hughes revealed exclusively to Express & Star that there will be a Dio tribute album, “with some megastars,” to raise funds for to the Ronnie James Dio “Stand Up And Shout” Cancer Fund, as well as a major show in Los Angeles in March 2011.
SIGHT OF EMPTINESS: UGLY KID JOE Singer WHITFIELD CRANE To Pay Tribute To RONNIE JAMES DIO In Costa Rica
Singer Whitfield Crane (UGLY KID JOE, ANOTHER ANIMAL, LIFE OF AGONY) will join the Costa Rican metal band SIGHT OF EMPTINESS for a very special night of covers. On July 10 at 8 p.m. at Jazz Cafe in Escazu, Costa Rica, the crowd will be treated to renditions of songs in tribute to Ronnie James Dio (HEAVEN & HELL, DIO, BLACK SABBATH,RAINBOW), Peter Steele (TYPE O NEGATIVE) and Paul Gray(SLIPKNOT), with Crane taking the mic for the Dio portion of the show. “I have been in Costa Rica for the past few months, when I went to the Megadeth show I saw Sight Of Emptiness open the show. Those guys just killed on stage and one thing lead to another. I am excited to rock the mic, Costa Rican style”, said Whitfield Crane about the show.
When asked about the current status of UGLY KID JOE, Crane said, “It’s ON — UGLY KID JOE is back. We are talking about doing shows next year, in addition to studio time. I’m stoked”
SIGHT OF EMPTINESS supported MEGADETH on May 9 at Autodromo La Guacima in San Jose, Costa Rica in front of 14000 people. SIGHT OF EMPTINESS also won the Award of ”Best Metal Album” for their second Independent record: ”Absolution of Humanity” 2010, at the ACAM AWARDS in Costa Rica = ASCAP in the USA. In addition, they were previously handpicked by both DARK TRANQUILLITY and AMON AMARTH to open their shows in the country. They also shared stages with such bands as LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, ARCH ENEMY, TESTAMENT, FIREWIND and SABBAT (featuring Andy Sneap, producer of the latest MEGADETH album, ”Endgame”).
SIGHT OF EMPTINESS’s second album, ”Absolution of Humanity”, was mastered by Jens Bogren (OPETH, SOILWORK, BLOODBATH, KATATONIA, SYMPHONY X) at Fascination Street Studios. The cover artwork was created by Costa Rican artist Pablo Vargas.
Finnish metal media group Night Elves have posted details and footage from a memorial gala for RONNIE JAMES DIO held on July 2nd in Helsinki to coincide with the Tuska Open Air Metal Festival. The proceeds from the event went to Cancer Society of Finland.
The vocalists at the gala, held at the Tavastia club, included:
J. Ahola (TERÄSBETONI, NORTHERN KINGS)
Ari Koivunen (AMORAL)
Asim Searah (THE NIBIRUAN)
Antony Parviainen (MACHINE MEN)
Marco Hietala (NIGHTWISH, TAROT, NORTHERN KINGS)
Patrik Eriksson
Pekka Heino (BROTHER FIRETRIBE)
Tuple Salmela (TAROT)
Aleksi Parviainen (REVERSION, SOULCAGE)
The band on the night was as follows:
Guitar – Erkka Korhonen, Ben Varon (AMORAL), Zachary Hietala (TAROT) and Mr Crab (BLEAK, DIMEBAG BEYOND FOREVER)
Bass – Jari Ilomäki (SOULCAGE)
Keyboard – Vili Ollila
Drums – Janne Parviainen (ENSIFERUM)
The following video footage are courtesy of CalthaGold:
On October 7-8 musicians from some of the most important bands on the Swedish metal scene will join forces to pay tribute to the legendary Ronnie James Dio, who recently passed away.
Songs from Dios career with Rainbow, Black Sabbath and the band Dio will be performed. The core band of the evening will be melodic metallers Lion’s Share, fronted by Nils Patrik Johansson (Astral Doors, Wuthering Heights). Guest artists confirmed this far:
Björn Gelotte and Peter Iwers (In Flames)
Joacim Cans (Hammerfall)
Ian Haugland (Europe)
Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth)
Jens Johansson (Stratovarius, ex-Dio)
Messiah Marcolin (ex-Candlemass)
Johan Edlund (Tiamat)
Joakim Berg and Magnus “Adde” Andreasson (Hardcore Superstar)
Johan Hegg (Amon Amarth)
Mike Wead (Bible Black, King Diamond)
More guest artits may be added. During the cruise, money will be raised to Dios “Stand up and shout” cancer fund.
Five other bands will be playing on board. Confirmed this far are:
Tiamat
Alien (original line-up!)
Nifelheim
Tickets are available from 395 SEK, including part in a cabin.
More info is available on our website: www.swedenrockcruise.com
Members of the Big Four, including Dave Mustaine (MEGADETH), Lars Ulrich (METALLICA), Scott Ian (ANTHRAX) and Kerry King (SLAYER), recorded a special video tribute to the late, great heavy metal singer RONNIE JAMES DIO (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW) from the Sonisphere festival in Sofia, Bulgaria on June 22nd.
The video tribute was shown as part of the June 22nd (not so live and not complete set-lists were shows in all theaters BTW) satellite broadcast of the Big Four concert from Sofia to movie theaters around the world.
This is your shot to WIN the Metal God Jacket seen in the video and other prizes from RevZilla.com – just by making your own music video.
We are looking for YOU to create your own music video for a chance to win! First Prize is The Metal God Jacket and $500 in TeamZilla Cash, Second Prize is $250 in TeamZilla Cash, Third Place is a Hug and an Icon Helmet. (official details)
Here at RevZilla we are huge rock music fans. We genuinely mourned the passing of Ronnie James Dio this May. As we sat around one day talking about Dio here at RevZilla HQ, one of us joked that if Dio was riding a motorcycle with us, he would have been rocking the Icon Metal God Jacket, no question. That simple comment set us on a path which would eventually lead to us making our own tribute Dio music video (seen below) and deciding to give the jacket and some other prizes away. The video below was a blast to make and is OUR moto music video; a tribute to our favorite singer.
For a chance to win, make your own moto music video, pick your own music and feature whatever makes you happy. Bikes, Babes, Metal, Pets, Moto – whatever rev’s your engine – then upload it to YOUTUBE.COM as a VIDEO RESPONSE to our Dio Music Video (see below). Oh, and we are 100% looking to get more than just go-pro riding footage with a soundtrack! CREATIVITY TAKES THE CAKE! Deadline for submission will be August 31st 2010, we will pick the winner in early September 2010. Click for Official Contest Rules & Instructions.
Dio’s contributions to heavy metal are profound and indisputable. He participated in no fewer than six of the most critically important hard rock and heavy metal albums of all time, including Rising, Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll, Heaven And Hell, Mob Rules, Holy Diver and The Last In Line.
Ronnie James Dio lost his battle with stomach cancer on May 16th, 2010. It is one of the greatest losses ever suffered by the heavy metal community.
MANOWAR and Magic Circle Entertainment have decided to honor one of metal’s greatest legends with “Magic – A Tribute to Ronnie James Dio,” a new CD featuring Magic Circle Music artists and friends performing some of Dio’s most inspired work.
“Magic – A Tribute to Ronnie James Dio” is especially poignant because Dio hails from the same fertile upstate New York soil as MANOWAR. “Heavy metal has lost a great artist and a true gentleman,” says MANOWAR bassist Joey DeMaio. “I had the privilege of being his friend and, along with other friends and admirers, we wish to honor him.”
MANOWAR contributes a powerful rendition of Dio’s signature song, “Heaven And Hell.” Jack Starr’s Burning Starr and the Magic Circle All Star Band (with Shmoulik Avigal and Joe Stump) contribute the classics “Catch The Rainbow” and “Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll” and his cousin and former Elf guitarist David “Rock” Feinstein delivers a song inspired and written for Dio titled “Far Beyond.” The album is rounded out by several tenacious, up-and-coming bands, such as female-fronted HolyHell, featuring the voice of Maria Breon (called by many “The Female Dio”) as well as Metalforce, Awaken and Crosswind, all of whom embrace Dio’s legacy in their own inspired interpretations of his songs on “Magic.”
In tribute to Dio’s legacy, famous fantasy painter and illustrator Ken Kelly, the man behind many of heavy metal’s most classic album covers (including some by MANOWAR) has reworked his iconic Rainbow “Rising” artwork for “Magic.”
“Magic – A Tribute to Ronnie James Dio” is from the hearts of these musicians.
It is not only their privilege, but also their duty, to honor Ronnie by singing his praises while singing his songs.
“Magic – A Tribute To Ronnie James Dio” will be released on Magic Circle Music’s online store Kingdom of Steel on June 18th, in Germany on July 16th, in the US and Canada on July 20th and further international territories in the forthcoming weeks. The album will also be available at the merchandise booth of all upcoming MANOWAR live appearances, starting at the Sonisphere Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria on June 23rd. Track Listing:
1) MANOWAR – Heaven And Hell
2) HOLYHELL – Holy Diver (Live In Norway)
3) METALFORCE – The Last In Line
4) MAGIC CIRCLE ALL STAR BAND – Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll
5) AWAKEN – I Speed At Night
6) CROSSWIND – A Light In The Black
7) DEAN CASCIONE – Never More
8) FEINSTEIN – Far Beyond
9) HARLET – Straight Through The Heart
10) JACK STARR’S BURNING STARR – Catch The Rainbow
Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinnie Appice to be joined by Glenn Hughes and Jorn Lande for a special tribute to the legendary Ronnie James Dio. Get your High Voltage tickets here!
Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinnie Appice will play a very special tribute to one of the greatest voices of all time at this year’s first ever High Voltage festival on July 24th at Victoria Park in London.
Playing the songs that made three generations of metal fans worship the ground Ronnie walked upon, the H&H members will be joined by legendary former Deep Purple and Black Sabbath man Glenn Hughes and Norwegian vocalist Jorn Lande, who sings for power metallers Masterplan and has also released his own tribute to Ronnie in the past.
Geezer Butler: “It’s going to be a very emotional occasion. Ronnie loved his fans like no-one else I know – and they loved him. It will be a privilege doing a gig in honour of his memory, and to help towards his charity. Above all, I hope it encourages people to have regular check-ups for this disease. Early detection is vital, and greatly improves the chance of a cure. I know everyone has heard that a million times before, but seeing one of your best friends die because we all think we’re immune from this disease, really brings it home. Do it for yourself, your family, your friends. Ronnie would be proud of you.”
Tony Iommi: “Ronnie’s passing has left a huge hole, we hadn’t anywhere near finished what we set out to do as a band together. He was so looking forward to the European tour and we hope this appearance will go some way to fulfilling that.”
Video commentary from Iommi is below:
Proceeds from this performance will go to The Ronnie James Dio “Stand Up And Shout” Cancer Fund. For further information on the Fund and to make a donation please visit www.ronniejamesdio.com
The first ever High Voltage festival will be headlined by classic rock giants ZZ Top and the reformed Emerson, Lake and Palmer with the Metal Hammer stage featuring Down, Black Label Society, Saxon, Cathedral, Clutch, Opeth and many other metal heavyweights!
Tickets cost £75 per day or £135 for the full action-packed weekend and all regular ticket holders can now upgrade their tickets to VIP or VIP Packages. The VIP packages will include hotel and transport packages and bespoke merchandise. Get your High Voltage tickets here!
“Magic – A Tribute to Ronnie James Dio” will be available for the first time ever at the following Sonisphere Festivals:
June 23 – Sofia, Bulgaria – Sonisphere Festival Bulgaria
June 25 – Bucharest, Romania – Sonisphere Festival Romania
June 26 – Istanbul, Turkey – Sonisphere Festival Turkey
“Magic – A Tribute To Ronnie James Dio” is a tribute CD, commandeered by MANOWAR and Magic Circle Music, that honors the legacy of Ronnie James Dio. “Heavy Metal has lost a great artist and a true gentleman. I had the privilege of being his friend and, along with other friends and admirers, I wish to honor him,” says MANOWAR bassist Joey DeMaio.
In addition to MANOWAR, the musical salute to the man who inspired legions of headbangers the world over features performances by HolyHell, Metalforce, Awaken, Avigal, Crosswind, Dean Cascione, Harlet, and more.
The CD, part one of a two part tribute, will feature new interpretations of classics like ‘Holy Diver,’ ‘Heaven And Hell,’ ‘I Speed At Night’ and ‘Catch The Rainbow’ among others.
So, head on over to the MANOWAR merch booth and be the first to get a copy of “Magic – A Tribute To Ronnie James Dio.”
The CD will also be available at the merchandise booth at ‘Magic Circle Festival IV @ Metalcamp 2010′ on July 11, 2010 and at ‘Masters Of Rock’ on July 16, 2010.
As the world eagerly awaits the release of “Magic – A Tribute To Ronnie James Dio,” MANOWAR have posted a sample of their contribution to this one-of-a-kind tribute CD online. A snippet of “Heaven And Hell,” their powerful rendition of this Black Sabbath classic, is available for streaming by clicking HERE.
“Magic – A Tribute To Ronnie James Dio” will be available for sale as mp3 on The Kingdom Of Steel Online Store VERY soon.
Video footage of Norway’s Jorn Lande (JORN, MASTERPLAN, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) paying tribute to late metal hero RONNIE JAMES DIO at the Sweden Rock Festival on June 10th can be seen below:
Current OVER THE RAINBOW/TED NUGENT bassist Greg Smith started his successful career in the early eighties when he first joined WENDY O’WILLIAMS’s recording and touring band. Later on he worked with such names as VINNIE MOORE, ALICE COOPER and JOE LYNN TURNER before he was asked to join to the very last incarnation of Ritchie Blackmore’s RAINBOW in 1994. Greg recorded RAINBOW’s last studio album STRANGER IN US ALL in 1995 with Ritchie, vocalist Doogie White, drummer John O’Reilly and keyboardist Paul Morris but after a couple of years the band disbanded. Later on Greg worked with BLUE OYSTER CULT, re-joined ALICE COOPER’s band before he decided to do something different, a Broadway musical called “Movin’ Out”. Next it was TED NUGENT who asked Greg to join his band and in addition to that Greg has lately been doing shows with DOKKEN, JOE LYNN TURNER and now with OVER THE RAINBOW. OVER THE RAINBOW is a brand new band, formed by a group of former RAINBOW members: Joe Lynn Turner, Tony Carey, Bobby Rondinelli, Greg and Richie Blackmore’s son Jurgen Blackmore on guitar. OVER THE RAINBOW was playing at Swedenrock last June and then Greg was kind enough to give us the latest news as well as some other interesting stories about his past and future. Read on !!
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Ice Hall
HELSINKI,FINLAND
10.06 2006
There are always lots of speculations and rumors flying in the music world and sometimes those turn out to be true. After fifteen years, the classic line up of Black Sabbath: Ronnie James Dio, Geezer Butler, Ronnie James Dio and Vinny Appice, decided to put their pieces together and do a world tour under name Heaven and Hell. “The Dio years” collection was released prior the tour and it also included three brand new Black Sabb… I mean…Heaven and Hell tracks. Band kicked their world tour in U.S on last April and on early June they reached Finland and Helsinki.
