Sal Di Fatta just send me a couple drawings he did of Ronnie. I’ve posted them both on the Tributes photo album. Sal had previously done the Return to Nevermore concept art several years ago. Great work, Sal!
The Homemade Jam did a tribute show to Dio. The podcast is available here. They played some Elf tunes, as well as later music.
A nice memory of Ronnie: The first time I heard Ronnie sing was at the Oddfellows Hall in Watertown, NY. He was singing "Young Girl,” the Gary Puckett song. He sang it better than the original! Back in the early 70's, I played bass with a band called "Wool." We played at many of the same clubs/venues that Ronnie and his many incarnations played. Every so often, Ronnie, Gary or Doug would stop by and sit in, and vice versa...I recall an epic night at The Bank in Cortland where Gary (RIP) came up and did a blistering solo on the drums! They were special years and Ronnie was always a kind, generous and amazingly talented guy...I'll never forget him...Steve Behm
On a very special episode of Hard Rock Nights, airing May 21-27, tribute will be paid to the voice of heavy metal, Ronnie James Dio. The two-hour episode will feature music spanning the late singer’s career, from the oldies of the 1960s to his last studio release with Heaven and Hell. Several special guests will appear on the program to share memories of Dio, including Ron Keel, Tommy Denander, Robert Sarzo of Hurricane, former bandmates Rowan Robertson and Tracy G, touring member Chuck Garric, and many others. Hard Rock Nights is a weekly syndicated radio program broadcast on several rock and metal stations on the FM dial and the internet. Visit http://hardrocknights.wordpress.com/affiliates for a full list of stations and times.
Ralph Miller, who graduated a year ahead of Ronnie at Cortland High, sent me this photo of Ronnie and his local Moose Baseball team. He tells me that Nick Pantas is on Ronnie’s left in the photo. Thanks for the photo, Ralph!
Many rock stars have come out with statements about Ronnie. But I thought this one from Lars Ulrich of Metallica was particularly poignant.
Mike Donohue took a short pilgrimage to Cortland to leave some flowers by the Dio Way street sign. He wasn’t the only one. He sent me some pictures. Mike also sent me an article about Ronnie from the Cortland Standard that was a good read.
Randall Mulvane sent me a recent pic he shot of Ronnie (the thumbs-up shot below). He wanted to share it with everyone. You can see the full version here.
• Ralph Miller, who graduated a year ahead of Ronnie at Cortland High, sent me this photo of Ronnie and his local Moose Baseball team. He tells me that Nick Pantas is on Ronnie’s left in the photo. Thanks for the photo, Ralph!
• Many rock stars have come out with statements about Ronnie. But I thought this one from Las Ulrich of Metallica was particularly poignant.
• Mike Donohue - tribute photos sent to me
• Cortland Standard article about Ronnie’s death