Legendary vocalist Ronnie James Dio – known for his work with Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio – died of stomach cancer in May 16, 2010 at the age of 67. This past May 16, the Stargazer Alliance memorial concert for Ronnie James Dio took place at Bibliotek Bar & Restaurang in Stockholm, Sweden in support of Cancerfonden, the Swedish Cancer Society. Performers included Björn Strid (Soilwork, Night Flight Orchestra), Tony Harnell (TNT), Mats Levén (Candlemass, Yngwie Malmsteen), Linnea Wikström Egg (Thundermother, Therion), Dino Jelusick (ex-Whitesnake), Pontus Egberg (King Diamond), Joakim Svalberg (Opeth), and Kee Marcello (ex-Europe, Easy Action).
Fan-filmed video from the night can be viewed below.
The Rock For Ronnie Concert In The Park, benefiting the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund (diocancerfund.org), will rock the South Lawn adjacent to the Autry Museum of the American West in Griffith Park (opposite the LA Zoo) on Sunday, May 31, 11AM to 6PM. The day of music, featuring rocker Lita Ford and her band and popular tribute band Led Zepagain, will also unveil the new Dio Disciples lineup. Completing the bill are southern rock band Jason Charles Miller, British hard rock band Legs Diamond, the all-female tribute to AC/DC Whole Lotta Rosies and Los Angeles-based up and comers Saints of Sinners.
The new Dio Disciples comprises Oni Logan and Robin McAuley on vocals, Rowan Robertson on guitar, Simon Wright on drums, Scott Warren on keyboards and Bjorn Englen in bass. Plans will be announced soon for a Disciples tour later this year.
Rock For Ronnie will be hosted by radio and television personality Eddie Trunk, who is heard on SiriusXM’s 103 Faction Talk channel. Closing out the stellar lineup of music will be Eddie Trunk’s often surprise-filled All-Star Band. Among this year’s participants are Phil Demmel (Kerry King, Machine Head), Ricky Warwick (Thin Lizzy Black Star Riders), Robbie Crane (Warrant, Black Star Riders), Julia Lage (Vixen), Dave Moreno (Bruce Dickinson), Keith Nelson (Buckcherry), Marc Ferrari (Keel, Cold Sweat), Marty O’Brien (Daughtry), Mike Dupke (Wednesday 13), Michael Nelson (Thin Lizzy), Neil Turbin (Death Riders, Anthrax), Mike Mangin (The Cult), Robert Sarzo (Hurricane), Shani Kamelman (Iron Maidens), Victor Wichmann (Metalachi) and musicians and sponsor Bill McBride. Artist Meet and Greets will take place throughout the afternoon.
“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, will make its debut at Rock For Ronnie this year with shots of Motörhead Whiskey available. Attendees will be able to utilize this unique branded seating to consume a variety of beverages available for purchase from the Beverage Tent. Calabasas Beer, spearheaded by Calabasas native KingCarlx, will be pouring on tap, introducing its crisp, easy-drinking Malibu Stream Blonde Ale and bold, hop-forward Hidden Hills West Coast IPA. In addition, the first two of the recently relaunched Motörhead Road Crew beer releases named for Motörhead albums—Ace of Spades, a Czech Style Pilsner, and The World is Yours, an English Style Amber Ale—will be sold in limited-edition collectible cans. An assortment of non-alcoholic beverages, Marquis and Liquid Death among them, will also be available.
Silent and live auctions, food trucks and activities geared to the entire family will be part of the day. The silent auction, filled with many exciting items will be open for bidding throughout the afternoon, while live auctions, featuring one-of-a-kind rock collectibles, will be held from the stage between artist performances. The Garden of Hope returns as well as assorted vendor booths selling unusual crafts and other items and a varied selection of merchandise.
Tickets are now on sale for $35 for General Admission (and $50 at the door) as well as a limited number of VIP seating tickets for $95. For information, visit diocancerfund.org/events.
Rock For Ronnie relocated to the south lawn of the Autry Museum for the first time last year where attendees enjoyed the beautiful Griffith Park setting and ample free parking adjacent to the LA Zoo.
Rock For Ronnie Concert In The Park
Autry Museum of the American West
South Lawn (opposite the LA Zoo/free parking)
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, CA 90027
11:00AM – 6:00PM
General Admission Tickets at $35 and VIP Seating Tickets at $95 are available now, here.
The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund (www.diocancerfund.org) was founded in memory of the legendary singer, who lost his life to gastric cancer in 2010. A privately funded 501(c)(3) public charity, the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund has 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 supported 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, this year set for November 12.
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