Paul Bibeau created Spitfire Records in New York in September 1998. He developed the company from his bedroom to become one of the premier independent record labels worldwide. DIO, TESTAMENT, ZAKK WYLDE, ALICE COOPER, SEBASTIAN BACH and EUROPE are just a short part of a big list of artists and bands who dealt with Paul’s company. In 2005 he successfully negotiated a partnership with Eagle Rock Entertainment (Eagle Vision), a London, England based audio and visual company. And all of this was just a little part of his successful career.

Metal Shock Finland’s Chief Editor Mohsen Fayyazi recently conducted an interview with Paul and asked him a few questions which are mainly focused on the record labels and their role in the Metal music industry. An excerpt follows:

Q: Dio released two albums, Killing The Dragon and Magica, via Spitefire Records, where you in touch with Ronnie during those days? Can you tell me how did you find him and would you tell me if you have any particular memories of him?

A: "Actually, I first meet Ronnie and Wendy when I signed him while at Mayhem/Fierce Recordings during the recording of Angry Machines. I had a great relationship with Ronnie. I learned a ton from him and I would enjoy his company all the time. With Ronnie, it was never so much about these are the songs that I, Paul Bibeau and the label want you to make. He and I would meet and discuss the overall album concept or direction, he would play some rough ideas or songs to me and he would would always be open to hearing my thoughts. Ronnie was Dio and he wouldn’t need a guy like me trying to tell him what to do. He was the King and I am honored to have spent so much time with the man in his Court! He was that great as a musician but even better as a human being.

My best Ronnie James Dio memory happened when I was young on the Holy Diver Tour. He played the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans and my friend Kirk WIndstein and I went to the stage door in the alley after the show. We waited to meet him and when he came out to get in his car service, he signed autographs and took pictures with us. I went to take a picture of him as he got into his car and my flash didn’t go off. The car took off, stopped, backed up and Ronnie got out. He took several more pictures with me (you can see them on my Facebook page) and invited us to hang with him and the band that night in the French Quarter. That was Ronnie. He was special! Little did either of us know, we would meet again and work together. You see, take care of your fans!"

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(Photo, left to right: Wendy Dio, Paul Bibeau, Ronnie James Dio, John and Simon)