'That Metal Show Ronnie James Dio Tribute' Taping

by Ralph Cartel, METAL SHOP ROCKS, Los Angeles, CA (Sept. 30, 2010)

Walking into Glendale studios for a special taping of 'That Metal Show' (A tribute to Ronnie James Dio) I didn't know what to expect. As I sat there waiting for the taping to begin I couldn't help myself but to be excited. The first two guests were Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath and Heaven and Hell)and Vinny Appice (Heaven and Hell and Dio). They talked about how Dio would always give back to his fans. Vinny said sometimes after a show was over, Tony Iommi, Geezer and Vinny would just wait around for Dio to finish signing all the autographs that fans would want, then as the tour bus was leaving the arena, Dio would make the driver stop so he could meet the fans who were still in the parking lot watching the bus leave.

The next two guests were Wendy Dio (Ronnie's Wife) and Simon Wright (AC/DC and UFO). Simon actually lived with Dio and his wife and he talked about how Simon and Dio would do home improvement projects at the Dio home... laying bricks down to make a walk way with out using a level or a ruler. Dio would say "aww it looks good, just leave it the way it is"... but that would be after they had a few drinks. Wendy was asked how she met Dio... they met in 1975 at the Rainbow Bar & Grill on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood and she said she didn't want nothing to do with him. She actually thought 'he is way too short for me'. But she got to know him and fell in love with his soul and his personality.

The final guests were Rob Halford (Judas Priest and Halford) and Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine and Nightwatchmen). Rob talked about how much of a good man Dio was and how he would always talk to his fans and was just a great person all around. Tom talked about how Dio and him were really good friends and how the hard rock industry lost a great voice. Tom said that Dio is the best metal singer of all time and how Dio and Sabbath influenced his guitar playing.

'That Metal Show' host Eddie Trunk talked about when he found out that Dio had stomach cancer... that he called Dio to see what he could do. Trunk said that he was really bummed out about it, but Dio made him feel a lot better after talking to him and that's how Dio was... he was sick with cancer and was making Eddie Trunk Feel Better.

When Dio was getting treatment in a Houston, Texas hospital, there was a fan in that same hospital and when Ronnie and Wendy would fly in for Dio to get his treatment, Dio wasn't concerned about himself... he would tell his wife, 'OK lets go make sure we have hats, t-shirts, CDs and whatever else they can take to his fan in the hospital... that's how Dio was, always cared about others and that's what made Ronnie James Dio a great friend, husband and most of all a real man... LONG LIVE RONNIE JAMES DIO. Even though I never met DIO, I feel like I have known him my entire life.

(PS) I almost forgot... Ronnie was a huge Sports Fan and loved to read. Wendy even said that Dio would write all his music watching sports... he was a huge fan of the New York Giants football team.

Thanks to Evil Rose for the great photos.