Tag Archives: ronnie james dio

Recommended Reading: Shootin’ The Shit, Volume One: Conversations with Rock Anti-Heroes, Icons and Metal Gods By Vinny Cecolini

Shootin the Shit Cover

Way, way back, when I used to interview Famous People for a (meager) living, I acquired a valued reputation as a bit of a Rock Star Whisperer for my ability to get musicians to open up and talk about anything — even subjects or revelations that they had never made before to another journalist. This happened all the time. And while I take full credit for honing this skill through interviews with members of bands like Motley Crue, Duran Duran, Alice Cooper, The Sex Pistols and Led Zeppelin, I did have a couple of valuable mentors in fellow rock journalist friends who showed me the ropes when I was just an egg, and who taught me to me fearless. One of those friends was veteran rock journalist Vincent “Vinny” Cecolini, a Metal God in his own right, whom I have been friends with for twenty years. Vinny is the bomb.
Continue reading Recommended Reading: Shootin’ The Shit, Volume One: Conversations with Rock Anti-Heroes, Icons and Metal Gods By Vinny Cecolini

Ronnie James Dio Valentines Day Card

Ronnie James Dio Valentines Day Card
Image Source

Romance, people. Learn from Dio.

Thanks to Ian Rans for the Image!

Video Clip of The Week: David Poe, “When I Fly”

David Poe – When I Fly from David Poe on Vimeo

I’m really excited about this week’s clip, “When I Fly” by singer/songwriter David Poe, an artist I first wrote about way back in 1996. Poe’s music reminded me then of serious 1970s-era performers like James Taylor but also Art Garfunkel and the great Tim Moore (who, as far as I know is still alive, but hasn’t recorded an album in almost 30 years, WTF?). Anyway, “When I Fly” reveals evidence of those same types of seventies-ish influences. This says two things to me: 1. That, musically, David Poe knows his shit, and 2. Poe understands that if it works, don’t fix it. Continue reading Video Clip of The Week: David Poe, “When I Fly”

KnuckleBonz Unveils Limited Edition Ronnie James Dio Collectible Figure!

Horns up, Metal Heads! KnuckleBonz is excited to announce its production of the Ronnie James Dio Rock Iconz® statue – an officially licensed product, approved and endorsed by Wendy Dio and Niji Entertainment. Wendy Dio remarked about the project, “Ronnie would be very proud.” KnuckleBonz is honored to be creating a tribute piece of Ronnie James Dio, widely recognized as one of the most powerful singers in all of heavy metal.

The Ronnie James Dio Statue, part of KnuckleBonz music-based sculpture series: Rock Iconz, is a hand-crafted sculpture of Dio posed flashing his signature devil horns, in a familiar crouched stance. A portion of all sales made from the KnuckleBonz site will be donated to the Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund created in honor of Ronnie James Dio.

“We learned that Ronnie wanted to work on a statue project before he fell ill. We are honored that Wendy Dio and his management called on us for this project,” remarks Tony Simerman, President and Creative Director of KnuckleBonz, Inc. “It’s been a real pleasure to work with Ronnie’s family and the people at Niji on this project. I was a fan of Ronnie’s very early and owned all the original Rainbow records. I was fortunate enough to see him out in front of Sabbath. RJD was one of the greatest live performers I have ever seen,” adds Simerman.

The statue will be sold directly from KnuckleBonz Dot Com and through select retailers worldwide. Scheduled to ship in December 2010, The Ronnie James Dio Rock Iconz Statue can be preordered at This Link. Created at 1/9 scale, making the figure approximately 8” tall on top of a wooden display base, this highly collectible, limited edition statue was created in a series of 3000 pieces only. Priced at $115.00, each figure in the edition is hand-painted, numbered and includes a certificate of authenticity. Order now so you won’t be “the last in line” to get your hands on one.

RIP Ronnie James Dio

Ronnie James Dio lost his fight with cancer on the morning of May 16th, 2010. He was 67 years old. Ronnie James popularized the heavy metal “devil horns” gesture, and for that he deserves a place among the angels. Rock on, Holy Diver.