The annual Rock For Ronnie Concert in the Park, held on Sunday, May 31, 2026 at the Autry Museum of the American West in Griffith Park, has brought in over $125,000 for the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund (diocancerfund.org).
Crowd favorite Lita Ford, popular tribute band Led Zepagain, the new lineup of Dio Disciples, southern rock band Jason Charles Miller, British hard rock band Legs Diamond, the all-female tribute to AC/DC Whole Lotta Rosies, Los Angeles-based up and comers Saints of Sinners and the signature All-Star Jam comprised the day of non-stop music. The event was hosted by radio and television personality Eddie Trunk, who is heard on SiriusXM’s 103 Faction Talk channel.
The event’s new location at the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park allowed for more VIP seating, vendors, food trucks and free parking. (Photo by Craig Newman)
Cancer researchers Irene Choi and Neeti Swarup from Dr. David Wong’s lab at the UCLA School of Dentistry accepted a check for $25,000 to advance their ongoing research to develop a simple, non-invasive saliva swab test for early cancer detection. Because cancer fingerprints are seven times more prevalent in saliva than in blood, this research is crucial to early cancer diagnoses, a major priority for the Dio Cancer Fund.
Local newcomers Saints of Sinners, who number Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler and his wife and manager Gloria Butler among their supporters, kicked off the afternoon of music. They were followed by the all-female tribute to AC/DC Whole Lotta Rosies and veteran British band Legs Diamond, who delivered their brand of hard rock.
Returning to Rock For Ronnie by popular demand for the fourth consecutive year was southern rocker Jason Charles Miller with his band, comprising Allie Kay and Gary Joseph Potter Jr. on guitars; Zach Andrews on bass and drummer Nick Mason.
Dio Disciples inaugurated most of its new lineup with singers Oni Logan and Robin McAuley alternating lead vocals, backed by Rowan Robertson on guitar, Scott Warren on keyboards and Bjorn Englen in bass. Veteran drummer Brian Tichy filled in for Disciples’ drummer Simon Wright, who is currently recovering from surgery.
A spirited live auction preceded Lita Ford’s headline set in which signed one-of-a-kind guitars donated by George Thorogood, Geezer Butler and Lita herself were auctioned off. George Thorogood donated an Epiphone Les Paul while Geezer Butler donated a Lakland bass. Lita Ford once again asked PBS “Guitar Builder to the Stars” Jim Cara, who has designed custom guitars for her, to create a special one-of-a-kind guitar for the occasion, this one featuring the artwork from Dio’s Holy Diver album.
Following her high energy set, backed by her band comprising Patrick Kennison on guitar, Marten Andersson on bass and drummer Bobby Rock, Wendy Dio presented Lita Ford with the Dio Cancer Fund’s Queen of Rock ‘N Roll award in honor of her continued commitment and support of the charity.
Closing out the afternoon of music was the now-traditional All-Star Jam, this year featuring Vinny Appice (Dio, Black Sabbath), Robbie Crane (Warrant, Black Star Riders), Phil Demmel (Kerry King, Machine Head), Mike Dupke (Wednesday 13), Marc Ferrari (Keel, Cold Sweat), Shani Kamelman (Iron Maidens), Ari Kamen (Steven Adler Band), Julia Lage (Vixen), Mike Mangin (The Cult), Chad McMurray (RivetSkull), Keith Nelson (Buckcherry), Michael Nelson (Ricky Warwick), Marty O’Brien (Daughtry), Kirsten Rosenberg (The Iron Maidens), Robert Sarzo (Hurricane), Neil Turbin (Death Star Riders, Anthrax), Ricky Warwick (Thin Lizzy, Black Star Riders), Victor Wichmann (Metalachi) and musician and sponsor Bill McBride.
Rock For Ronnie’s new location at the park adjacent to the Autry Museum offered a beautiful setting for an afternoon of exciting live music and fun for the whole family. Additionally, there were silent and live auctions, raffles, merchandise sales, food trucks, assorted vendor booths selling unusual crafts and other items plus artist meet and greets throughout the day.
“Lemmy’s Lounge,” a branded area created by the Rainbow Bar & Grill to replicate their West Hollywood restaurant’s popular tribute to the late Motörhead singer, was a popular hangout to enjoy shots of Motörhead Whiskey or other beverages available from the nearby Beverage Tent.
The specially-created “Garden of Hope” provided the opportunity to make an “I Rock For…” dedication to someone who has battled, survived or succumbed to cancer. It was filled with tributes by the end of the afternoon.
Sponsors lending their invaluable support to the 2026 Rock For Ronnie include marquee sponsor Motӧrhead Beer in addition to Calabasas Beer (Carl Dawson, Carl Dawson Jr. and Karlon Dawson); Liquid Death Mountain Water (Blasko); Marquis Sugar Free Mate Beverages (Michael Schofield); Pali Wine (Scott Knight, Nicholas Perr); Gearheart Industry (David and Kristy Petrides); Total Wine and More; In ‘N Out Burger; Raising Canes; Danny Wimmer Presents; Adam Parsons Entertainment; The Ivy in Ojai; Christine Cardoso-Moore/Keller Williams Realty; McBride Wealth Management (Bill McBride); The Rainbow Bar and Grill; Mates Studios (Bobby and Jenny Brunner); Road Radios (Jeremy Schilling, Rebecca Meick); Chipster PR; BMG; Get On the Bus video channel (https://getonthebus.com/); Cleopatra Records; Tim Murch; Mike Zislis; Sandeep Kapoor; The Strength Code (Sheila Melody); Rick Sales; Ann Hull; Randy Rhoads family (Kathy, Kelle and Richard); Global Merch; Led Zepagain; Lakland Guitars; Soldiers 4 Jesus and Monster Energy.
Rock For Ronnie also wishes to thank the following companies and their staff members for their support and services: Guardian Distributors of Los Angeles; BevNomad; Clair Global (Paul Newman); Kapoor Medical Group (Sandy Kapoor and David Saviola); MetalBabe Mayhem (Alison Cohen); Jason Charles Miller; Sierra Schuman; Fashion Police (Audrey Clonch); Howard Teman; Rockwood Saloon; Chill Factor; Plug Inz; Good Times Ice Cream; Wetzside Pretzels; Salt N’ Pepper Food Truck (Armando Melendez); Kate and Joe’s Coffee; Rice Ball of Fire; Wise BBQ; and a special thanks to Becky Rossiter-Moon and her EMT staff at Event Care.
“A BIG HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL THE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES WHO SO GENEROUSLY GAVE OF THEIR TIME AND SERVICES–WE COULD NOT DO THIS WITHOUT YOU!!”
The Dio Cancer Fund wants to recognize the members of its dedicated Board of Directors—Delilah Dio-Gimenez, Wendy Dio, Andy Gould, Nick Jackson, Dr. Sandy Kapoor, Mary Kusnier, Sean McNabb, Sheila Melody, Sabrina Ment, Tim Murch, Paul Newman, Adam Parsons, Rick Sales, Scott Sentinella, Robin Shaw, Sharon Weisz and Danny Zelisko—plus a special thank you to Deme Bermudez, Omar Gimenez, Marty O’Brien, Paula Newman, Brendan Smith and Michael Schreibman for their hard work and commitment in bringing this event to fruition.
Additionally, the Dio Cancer Fund acknowledge and extends its appreciation to the 2026 Rock For Ronnie volunteers: Lauren Aloy, Kia Anderson, Matt Beighley, Bella Beuder, Allysson C, Trina Campbell, Jazz Campos, Lupeann Campos, Chuy Carr, Jessica Chase, Michael Coombe, Michele Coombe, Greg Corman, Karlon Dawson, Allison Forsyth, GEO, Diane Hall, Linda Harris, Mike Harris, Jennifer Hernandez, Lee Raymond Hollister, Hector Hurtado, Steve Jackson, Scot Kaufman, Andrew K, Charlie Kahane, Devin Kapoor, Dylan Kapoor, Ann Kirkland, Mary Kusnier, Mike Lewis, Regina Livesay, Lexie Loehr, Marina Mann, Wyatt Mason, Sheila Melody, Sabrina Ment, Steve Mignardi, Bryan Moore, Chuck Moss, Jenn Nelson, Paula Newman, Tyler Newman, Johnny Nieto, James O’Brien, Brian O’Callahan, Michelle Parisi, Beth Patton, Kyle Pugh, Charles Rainone, Charlene, Ross, Teresa Schachtel, Zander Schachtel, Scott Sentinella, Taylor Sentinella, Nicole Simpson, Carmelina Sotelo, Katie Strayhorn, William Strayhorn, Grace Tivar, Amber Trillo, Lyle Weiser, Sharon Weisz, Amanda Wexler, Elizabeth Wong, Amber Wood, Robin Wright …and anyone else we may have accidentally forgotten to name.
The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund was founded in memory of the late singer. A privately funded 501(c)(3) public charity, the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund has already raised over $2 million since its inception. Monies raised have been committed to the cancer research work of the T. J. Martell Foundation for Cancer, AIDS and Leukemia Research, the gastric cancer research unit of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where Ronnie was treated for gastric cancer during the last six months of his life, and other cancer research projects. Since 2016, the Dio Cancer Fund has committed funds to support the research of Dr. David Wong and his team at the UCLA School of Dentistry in developing a simple, non-invasive saliva test for the early detection of cancer.
100% of the net proceeds from the Rock For Ronnie will go to the Dio Cancer Fund, which is now in its 16th year of raising awareness and much-needed funding for cancer prevention, education and research for a cure.
The organization also hosts the annual Bowl for Ronnie Celebrity Bowling Party, which will be held on November 12, 2026.
Save the date for next year’s Rock For Ronnie: Sunday, May 23, 2027.
(Photos – Gene Kirkland)
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