The Ronnie James Dio 5th Year Remembrance Weekend continued yesterday afternoon at the Hall of Liberty on the grounds of the Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Hollywood Hills, California. As noted on the programs that were handed out to those who attended, A Celebration Of The Life And Music Of Ronnie James Dio, also marked the exact date to which the beloved and revered vocalist of ELF, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, DIO, and Heaven & Hell passed away from stomach cancer. 

And you can imagine, the mood at this memorial, five years later, was upbeat as the standing room only crowd heard those closest to the singer stress the importance, even to this day, of someone who put his fans (all over the world), first. Earlier in the week, his official Facebook page offered fans to post short video clips telling us of what Ronnie’s music meant to them. Those clips were shown in-between video messages sent in by Rob Halford (Judas Priest), Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath) and Tim “Ripper” Owens (Dio Disciples, Yngwie Malmsteen, Beyond Fear, Judas Priest, Iced Earth). Eddie Trunk (That Metal Show) was the Master of Ceremonies. 

In addition to the excellent performances by all the musicians, this celebration also addressed the importance of The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund’s efforts in raising awareness, not only for the gastric cancer that killed Ronnie, but to other areas, such as prostate and skin cancer. “The fund is committed to providing free cancer screening programs and testing to all people regardless of their ability to pay.” 

So far, according to the Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, M.D., (who was Ronnie’s primary care physician at the time of his illness, and is now the Medical Director and Co-Founder of the SUAS Cancer Fund) one million dollars has been raised to date for research. Wendy Dio (President and Co-Founder of SUAS Cancer Fund) hopes that in the next five years to raise that figure to ten million dollars. 

The final event in the weekend celebration ends with a Ride For Ronnie, which begins at a Harley-Davidson location in Glendale, CA and will end with a BBQ at Los Encinos Park in Encino, CA from noon-5 pm. Confirmed acts slated to perform include Eddie Money, Dio Disciples, DC4, and a couple of all-star bands consisting of Gabbie Rae, Rowan Robertson (DIO), Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Geoff Tate, Yngwie, DIO, Blue Oyster Cult), Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, DIO, Rick Derringer, Heaven & Hell) in one band with another band consisting of Ann Boleyn (Hellion) with Craig Goldy (DIO), Sean McNabb (Quiet Riot, Dokken, Great White), and Simon Wright (DIO, AC/DC). Scott Warren (DIO, Heaven & Hell) will be playing the keys for both bands.

Ronnie James Dio - 5th Anniversary Remembrance - Saturday, May 16th

Welcome: Eddie Trunk

Speaker 1: Dr. Sandeep Kapoor (SUAS Medical Director/Co-Founder)

Speaker 2: Lita Ford 

Performance 1:  “Lisa” – Lita Ford, Patrick Kennison (The Union Underground), Marty O'Brien (acoustic)

Speaker 3: Wyn Davis (Producer)

Speaker 4: Dean Schachtel (SUAS Board Member)

Performance 2: “Heaven & Hell” – Great White (acoustic)

Speaker 5: April Eppolito

Performance 3: “Last In Line” – Great White with Lorraine Lewis (acoustic)

Speaker 6: Sheila Melody (SUAS Board Member)

Speaker 7: Paul Shortino

Performance 4: “Take Her” – Rough Cutt (Paul Shortino, Amir Derakh, Chris Hager, Matt Thorne, Dave Alford)

Speaker 8: Rock Feinstein (Ronnie’s Cousin and bandmate from ELF)

Performance 5: “Mistreated” – John Payne (Asia), Rock Feinstein (Elf, The Rods), Christian Martucci (Stone Sour), Sean Mcnabb (Quiet Riot, Dokken, Great White), Roy Mayorga (Stone Sour) & Scott Warren (Dio, Heaven & Hell)

Speaker 9: Vinny Appice

Speaker 10: Steve Mignardi (Ronnie’s personal assistant/road manager)

Performance 6: “Rainbow In The Dark” – Gabbie Rae, Rowan Robertson (Dio), Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Geoff Tate, Yngwie, Dio, Blue Oyster Cult), Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio, Rick Derringer, Heaven & Hell) & Scott Warren (Dio, Heaven & Hell)

Speaker 11: Rudy Sarzo

Performance 7: “Sign Of The Southern Cross” – Ann Boleyn, Craig Goldy (Dio), Sean Mcnabb (Quiet Riot, Dokken, Great White), Simon Wright (Dio, AC/DC) & Scott Warren (Dio, Heaven & Hell)

Speaker 12: Craig Goldy

Speaker 13: Scott Warren

Performance 8: “Stargazer” – Dio Disciples:  Oni Logan (Lynch Mob), Joe Retta (Sweet), Craig Goldy (Dio), Bjorn Englen (Hellion), Simon Wright (Dio, AC/DC) & Scott Warren (Dio, Heaven & Hell)

Speaker 14: Scott (Big Scott) Sentinella (Dio/Heaven & Hell Production Manager)

Performance 9: “Stand Up And Shout” – Ricky Warwick (Black Star Riders), Robbie Crane (Black Star Riders), Chris Broderick (ex-Megadeth, Act of Defiance), Jimmy Bain (Dio, Rainbow) & Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio, Rick Derringer, Heaven & Hell)

Speaker 15: Wendy Dio – Thank you / Closing Speech