Dio (band)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dio

Dio in 2005.

Background information

Origin

Cortland, New York

Genres

Heavy metal, doom metal

Years

19821991, 19932010

active

Labels

Eagle, Warner
Bros., Reprise,Universal, Vertigo, Phonogram, Spitfire,San
ctuary

Associate Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Elf, Heaven &

d acts

Hell, Whitesnake, Rough Cutt

Website

www.ronniejamesdio.com

Past

Ronnie James Dio

members

Dio was an American heavy metal band formed in 1982 and led by vocalist Ronnie James
Dio, after he left Black Sabbath with intentions to form a new band with fellow former Black

Sabbath member, drummer Vinny Appice.[1] The name Dio was chosen because it made
sense from a commercial standpoint, as the name was already well known at that time.
The band released ten studio albums and had numerous line-up changes over the years
with Ronnie James Dio having been the only constant member. Guitarists have
included Craig Goldy (most recent guitarist), Doug Aldrich, Vivian Campbell, Warren
DeMartini [2] Tracy G, Jake E. Lee and Rowan Robertson.
The band dissolved in 2010 when Ronnie James Dio died of stomach cancer at the age of
67. The band has sold more than 10 million copies of albums worldwide.
Contents
[hide]

1 Biography
o

1.1 Origins and Holy Diver (19821983)

1.2 The Last In Line to Dream Evil (19841989)

1.3 Changes (19901999)

1.4 Comeback (20002004)

1.5 Master of the Moon and Split (20042010)

1.6 Death of Ronnie James Dio

2 Murray
o

2.1 Holy Diver

2.2 The Last in Line

2.3 Dream Evil

2.4 Merchandise

3 Popular culture

4 Band members

4.1 Final line-up

4.2 Former members

4.3 Touring members

4.4 Timeline

4.5 Last In Line

5 Discography

6 Videography

7 References

8 External links

Biography[edit]
Origins and Holy Diver (19821983)[edit]
In 1982, disagreements originating over the mixing of Black Sabbath's Live Evil resulted in
the departure of Ronnie James Dio and Vinny Appice from the band.[3] Wanting to continue
together as a band, the two formed Dio in October 1982 in the United States with Vivian
Campbell (guitar) and Jimmy Bain (bass). The following May, the band released their debut
album, Holy Diver. It featured two hit singles, "Rainbow in the Dark" and "Holy Diver", which
gained popularity from MTV. Ronnie James Dio and Jimmy Bain playedkeyboards in the
studio, but recruited keyboardist Claude Schnell for live shows in 1983 prior to the Holy
Diver tour. Claude Schnell played to the side of the stage on the first two tours before
coming out front in 1985.[4] Dio had this to say of the band's origins:

It was a good time to be in that band. It was perfect for us. Every

The Last In Line to Dream Evil (19841989)[edit]

Now a quintet with Schnell on keyboards, the band released their second studio
album, The Last In Line, on July 2, 1984. It was followed by their third album, Sacred Heart,
which was released on August 15, 1985.
In 1985 Ronnie James Dio, Campbell and Bain also wrote the song "Stars" for the Hear 'n
Aid project, with many other heavy metal luminaries of the time contributing. Campbell
became unhappy working with Dio,[6] and the rift between them culminated in Campbell
being fired from Dio's band.[7] Campbell was subsequently invited to join Whitesnake in
1987.[8] Several songs were recorded live during the Sacred Heart tour for the
1986 Intermission EP with Campbell still on guitar, however the EP also contained the
studio track "Time To Burn",[9] which served to introduce fans to Craig Goldy as the new
guitarist.
On July 21, 1987 their fourth album Dream Evil was released. After Dream Evil, Goldy,
wanting to pursue solo projects, left the band.[10] In June 1989 18-year-old Rowan
Robertson was announced as Goldy's successor but further changes were to follow, with
Schnell, Bain, and Appice leaving the band.

Changes (19901999)[edit]
Schnell, Bain, and Appice were replaced, respectively, with Jens Johansson, Teddy Cook,
and former AC/DC drummer Simon Wright. The new band released the album Lock Up the
Wolves in the spring of 1990. During the tour, Ronnie James Dio had a chance meeting
with former Black Sabbath bandmate Geezer Butler which led to that band's short-lived
reunion, producing one album, Dehumanizer. After this Ronnie James Dio reassembled Dio
once again, retaining only Appice on the drums. By early 1993 guitarist Tracy G,
keyboardist Scott Warren of Warrant and bassist Jeff Pilson of Dokken had all joined.
During this era, the band abandoned fantasy themed songs and focused on modern issues.
[11]
As a result some fans regard the albums made during this period1993's Strange
Highways, 1996's Angry Machines and the live album Inferno: Last in Liveas the worst in
Dio's catalogue, while others view them positively as a step away from the outdated sound

of the 1980s. With disappointing record sales for Angry Machinesmanagement wanted the
band to go back to their earlier style prompting the departure of Tracy G [12] to be replaced by
the returning Craig Goldy.

Comeback (20002004)[edit]
Craig Goldy's return facilitated the release of Dio's eighth studio album in 2000, Magica,
which was regarded by many as the band's "comeback album" and reached No. 13 on
the Billboard independent charts. It featured the return not only of Goldy but of Simon
Wright and Jimmy Bain, although on the European tour Chuck Garric played bass. A
concept album, Magica features a return to the band's older, more successful sound, while
increased use of keyboards gives it a modern feel.[13] During the following tour, however,
tensions rose between Goldy on the one hand and Bain and Ronnie James Dio on the
other, as Goldy was dealing with the obligations of a family. Goldy left the band in January
2002 and was replaced with Doug Aldrich, whom Bain had met while recording a tribute
album for Metallica. Because of his late arrival, Aldrich did not contribute much to Dio's
ninth work, Killing the Dragon, which was written primarily by Ronnie James Dio and
Bain. Killing The Dragon was released in 2002 through Spitfire Records and was well
received in the metal community, making the Billboard top 200. Aldrich would stay in the
band until April of the following year, when he, like Campbell before him, joinedWhitesnake,
prompting Goldy's return. Soon afterwards, Bain left the band. [14]

Master of the Moon and Split (20042010)[edit]

Dio released their tenth studio album, Master of the Moon on August 30, 2004 in Europe
through SPV Records and on September 7, 2004 in the United States through Sanctuary
Records. The album features multi-instrumentalist Jeff Pilson (formerly of Dokken) on bass
duties; however, because of prior obligations with Foreigner, he was only available for the
recording sessions, and so was replaced by Rudy Sarzo (formerly of Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet
Riot, Whitesnake, Blue yster Cult among others) on the tour.
2005 saw the release of the Dio live album Evil or Divine Live in New York City, which
featured the same show that was released on DVD in 2003. Dio toured South
America,Japan, Europe, and Russia in 2005. Their autumn tour was titled "An Evening With
Dio" and featured a regular set, and then a second set of the band playing Holy Diver in its
entirety. A DVD of the tour was filmed in London. The audio of this performance, a double
CD named Holy Diver Live was released in April 2006.
In 2007, it was announced that Black Sabbath would reunite with Ronnie James Dio and go
under the name Heaven & Hell. The band released The Devil You Know in 2009.
Ronnie James Dio's involvement with Heaven & Hell delayed the recording of what was to
be the follow-up to Master of the Moon, Magica II.[15] The three-year hiatus was briefly
interrupted for a 10 concert European mini-tour in May/June 2008, and was scheduled to
be interrupted again in November/December 2009 with 22 concerts starting in the UK and
ending in Germany.[16] Doug Aldrich was to have filled in for Craig Goldy on guitar on these
dates, who had other obligations. Dio intended to release a new single, entitled "Electra", to
coincide with the tour. This would have been their first studio material in 5 years. The band
also intended to record an album or two in 2010. [17]
On November 18, 2009 the European tour was cancelled due to Ronnie James Dio's
hospitalization. He had been diagnosed with stomach cancer, and was undergoing
treatment. His manager and wife Wendy Dio thanked well-wishers and said "After he kills
this dragon, Ronnie will be back on stage, where he belongs, doing what he loves best,
performing for his fans."[18]
On February 19, 2010, it was announced on Dio's official website that he would release a
box set, entitled the Tournado Box Set, for limited purchase. The set includes the Killing the
Dragon CD, Evil or Divine DVD (PAL format only), DVD bonus material, interviews, photo
gallery, never-before-seen behind the scenes footage, promo video for the Killing the
Dragon track "Push", exclusive Dio cards, and the bonus CD single "Electra" (which is the
last song the band recorded), from the unfinished albums Magica II & Magica III.[19]

Death of Ronnie James Dio[edit]

Ronnie James Dio died on May 16, 2010, of stomach cancer at the Texas Medical
Center in Houston, Texas at the age of 67.
On November 9, 2010, a posthumous live album was released. Titled 'Dio at Donington UK:
Live 1983 & 1987', it features Dio's 1983 and 1987 appearances at the Monsters of
Rock festival and showcases several songs from the Ronnie James Dio era of
both Rainbow and Black Sabbath, in addition to songs from Dio's own catalogue. [20]
When being interviewed Classic Rock Magazine from the UK, Dio guitarist Craig Goldy
stated "We were working on tracks for a new Dio album just before Ronnie died in May.
And we did almost finish one song. Wendy [Dio, Ronnie's widow/manager] has been talking
about reissuing [DIO's] 'Magica' album (originally released in 2000) with bonus tracks,
including this one." Goldy goes on to say of the lyrics, that they were written by Dio when
he was fighting cancer, and are "very emotional" and "hard to listen to without a lump at the
back of your throat".[21]
On March 18, It was announced that the surviving members of the final line-up of Dio would
embark on a project with former Judas Priest front man Tim "Ripper" Owens under the
moniker DIO Disciples. The project has been touring extensively since 2011.
In May 2012, former Dio guitarist Vivian Campbell, despite his long established feud with
Dio, announced his intent to reunite the original Dio band for a potential series of shows.
This would include himself, drummer Vinny Appice, bassist Jimmy Bain, and keyboardist
Claude Schnell. This announced line-up will feature former Lynch Mob vocalist and The
Offspring touring member Andrew Freeman stepping in for Ronnie James Dio.[22][23] and will
perform under the name Last in Line.[24]

Murray[edit]
Murray is the demonic-looking mascot of Dio. Murray appears on some of the band's album
covers, as well as in the sets for their live shows.
Murray appears on several of Dio's album covers, including Holy Diver, The Last in
Line, Dream Evil, as well as on some of their singles and compilation albums.

Holy Diver[edit]
Dio's first studio album, Holy Diver, from 1983, was the first to feature Murray on its cover.
Murray appears to be torturing a cleric, but Ronnie James Dio said that it is not necessarily
true.[25]

The Last in Line[edit]

Murray is also featured on Dio's second studio album, The Last in Line. On this cover,
resurrected souls emerge from their graves on Judgment Day to find a gigantic Murray
staring at them from the far horizon.

Dream Evil[edit]
Murray is not featured on Dio's third studio album, Sacred Heart, but is, for the last time in
his original form, featured on the cover of Dream Evil. He is shown in the window of a
bedroom with a child sleeping in a bed, while being haunted by several different scary
creatures. Murray's story is printed in the Dream Evil Tour book. The cover art of Dream
Evil is a reference to one of the tracks on the album, "Faces in the Window" (the entire
album's concept is fears and superstitions about the night and darkness).

Merchandise[edit]
The official Ronnie James Dio Webstore has created and is selling a baseball cap featuring
a red embroidery of Murray on the front of the hat, and the DIO logo, in the same red
embroidering, on the back side.[26]

Popular culture[edit]
A villain of the Japanese manga series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is named Dio Brando.He
is named after both Ronnie James Dio and movie star Marlon Brando.
A video game released in Japan for the Famicom (Japanese version of the Nintendo
Entertainment System) in 1989 was titled Holy Diver. The gothic and medieval theme of the
game is very similar to Dio's music video of "Holy Diver".
In 1999, an animated spoof of Dio appeared in an episode of South Park titled "Hooked on
Monkey Fonics". The band appears performing "Holy Diver" at an elementary school
dance. Although Ronnie James Dio's appearance is somewhat like himself in reality, the
rest of the band just appears as a stereotypical heavy metal band with no reference to the
real band members.
Throughout his stint with the Philadelphia Phillies, outfielder Pat Burrell was known to use a
clip of Dio's Holy Diver as his walk up music. It normally pumped up the crowd.
Comedy/rock duo Tenacious D released a song on their first album entitled "Dio", a song
written as a tribute to rock singer Ronnie James Dio, which mocked him somewhat for
being too old and saying that Tenacious D were going to take over his position as the
masters of heavy metal.[27] Before playing the song live Jack Black would typically speak
about how Dio's tenure in Black Sabbath served as his inspiration to get into heavy metal.
The duo appeared in the music video for his song, "Push". Ronnie also appeared in and
sang on Tenacious D's comedy movie "The Pick of Destiny".[28]
The song "Holy Diver" is on the video games Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the
80s and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories as well as the Game/Guitar Learning tool
"Rocksmith 2014." It also appears as Download-able content for the Rock Band Series,
along with "Stand Up and Shout". The song "Rainbow in the Dark" appears in "Rock Band
3."

Band members[edit]
Final line-up[edit]

Former members[edit]

Ronnie James Dio vocals, keyboards (19821991, 19932010;

died in 2010)

Craig Goldy guitar (19861989, 19992001, 20042005, 20062010)

Simon Wright drums (19891991, 19982010)

Scott Warren keyboards (19932010)

Rudy Sarzo bass (20052010)

Warren DeMartini guitar (2003)http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ratt

joins-dio/

Vinny Appice drums (19821989, 19931998)

Jimmy Bain bass (19821989, 19992004)

Jake E. Lee guitar (1982)

Vivian Campbell guitar (19821986)

Claude Schnell keyboards (19841989)

Rowan Robertson guitar (19891991)

Jens Johansson keyboards (19891991)

Teddy Cook bass (19891991)

Tracy G guitar (19931999)

Jeff Pilson bass (19931997, 20042005)

Larry Dennison bass (19971999)

Doug Aldrich guitar (20012004, 20052006)

Timeline[edit]

Former members
Dio Disciples
Current members

Craig Goldy guitar (2011present)

Simon Wright drums (2011present)

Scott Warren keyboards (2011present)

Bjorn Englen bass (2012present)

Oni Logan vocals (2012present)

Tim "Ripper" Owens vocals (20112014)

Rudy Sarzo bass (2011)

Toby Jepson vocals (20112012)

James LoMenzo bass (20112012)

Mark Boals - vocals (2013present)

Last In Line[edit]
Current Members

Vivian Campbell - Guitar (2013Present)

Vinny Appice - Drums (2013Present)

Jimmy Bain - Bass Guitar (2013Present)

Claude Schnell - Keyboards (2013Present)

Andrew Freeman - Lead Vocals (2013Present)

Discography[edit]
Main article: Dio discography
Studio albums

Holy Diver (1983)

The Last in Line (1984)

Sacred Heart (1985)

Dream Evil (1987)

Lock Up the Wolves (1990)

Strange Highways (1993)

Angry Machines (1996)

Magica (2000)

Killing the Dragon (2002)

Master of the Moon (2004)

Intermission (1986)

Inferno: Last in Live (1998)

Evil or Divine: Live in New York City (2005)

Holy Diver: Live (2006)

Dio at Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987 (2010)

Live albums

Finding The Sacred Heart: Live In Philly 1986 (2013)

Live in London, Hammersmith Apollo 1993 (2014)

Live in Concert (VHS, 1984)

A Special from the Spectrum (VHS, 1984)

Sacred Heart "The Video" (VHS, 1986 DVD, 2004)

Time Machine (VHS, 1990)

Evil or Divine: Live in New York City (DVD, 2003)

We Rock (DVD) (DVD, 2005)

Holy Diver: Live (DVD, 2006)

Finding The Sacred Heart: Live In Philly 1986 (DVD & BD,
2013)

Live in London: Hammersmith Apollo 1993 (DVD & BD,

2014)

Videography[edit]

References[edit]
1.

Jump up^ Saulnier, Jason (March 24, 2012). "Vinny Appice

Interview". Music Legends. RetrievedMay 6, 2013.

2.

Jump up^ http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ratt-guitaristjoins-dio/

3.

Jump up^ Goodman, Dean (26 October 2006). "Black

Sabbath reunites without Ozzy".news.com.au. Archived
from the original on October 5, 2009. Retrieved October
13,2009.

4.

Jump up^ "Dio Discography". Retrieved January 9, 2009.

5.

Jump up^ "Black Sabbath Online: Ronnie James Dio

Interview". Retrieved December 30, 2008.

6.

Jump up^ "Dio Biography". Retrieved January 9, 2009.

7.

Jump up^ "Def Leppards Vivian Campbell Has No Regrets

About His Feud With Ronnie James Dio".
Ultimateclassicrock.com. Retrieved 2015-04-03.

8.

Jump up^ "Vivian Campbell Biography". Retrieved January

9, 2009.

9.

Jump up^ "Allmusic Intermission overview".

Retrieved January 9, 2009.

10. Jump up^ "Autobiographical Interview with Craig Goldy".

Retrieved January 9, 2009.
11. Jump up^ "Angry Machines review". Retrieved January
9, 2009.
12. Jump up^ "Tracy G interview". Retrieved January 9, 2009.
13. Jump up^ "Magica review". Retrieved January 9, 2009.
14. Jump up^ "Killing the Dragon review". Retrieved January
9, 2009.
15. Jump up^ "BlabberMouth news archive".
Retrieved January 9, 2009.
16. Jump up^ "Dio Announces U.K. Tour" (in Blabbermouth).
27 August 2009. Retrieved August 28,2009.
17. Jump up^ "Dio To Play New Song Live; H&H Tour In
February". Classic Rock. 23 October 2009. Retrieved 17
November 2009.
18. Jump up^ "NME News". 26 Nov 2009. Retrieved 27
Nov 2009.
19. Jump up^ "DIO / RonnieJamesDio.com - Official Site of
Ronnie James Dio". Ronniejamesdio.com. Retrieved 201011-13.
20. Jump up^ "wo CD Digipak "Dio At Donnington UK: Live
1983 & 1987" To Be Released In November". Eddie
Trunk.com. Retrieved 2010-12-07.
21. Jump up^ "Last Song RONNIE JAMES DIO Worked On To
See Light Of Day". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2010-1206.
22. Jump up^ "Vivian Campbell To Reunite Original Dio Band |
News @". Ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved 2012-05-09.
23. Jump up^ "VVN Music: Former Dio Members Planning to
Do Shows". Vintagevinylnews.com. 2012-05-05.
Retrieved 2012-05-09.
24. Jump up^ "Dio replacement ready to be 'world's most
hated singer'". Classicrockmagazine.com. Retrieved 201205-17.
25. Jump up^ Quoted from the interview on the 2005
remastered CD edition of the Holy Diver album, track 19,
00'48
26. Jump up^ "Murray Hat". The Official Ronnie James Dio
Webstore. Retrieved November 13, 2010.

27. Jump up^ Binelli, Mark (November 29, 2006). "73% of the
Way to Being the World's Greatest Rock Band". Rolling
Stone. Archived from the original on 2007-11-11.
Retrieved April 12,2008.
28. Jump up^ Brinn, David (September 29, 2005). "Ronnie
James Dio: I'm Proud Of Starting 'Devil Horns' Trend". The
Jerusalem Post. Retrieved March 25, 2008.

External links[edit]
Wikiquote has quotations
related to: Dio (band)
Wikimedia Commons has
media related to Dio.

Official website
[hide]

Dio

Ronnie James Dio

Vinny Appice

Jimmy Bain

Jake E. Lee

Vivian Campbell

Claude Schnell

Craig Goldy

Simon Wright

Rowan Robertson

Teddy Cook

Jens Johansson

Scott Warren

Tracy G

Jeff Pilson

Larry Dennison

Doug Aldrich

Rudy Sarzo

Holy Diver
The Last in Line
Sacred Heart
Dream Evil
Studio albums

Lock Up the Wolves

Strange Highways
Angry Machines
Magica
Killing the Dragon
Master of the Moon

EPs

The Dio E.P.

Intermission
Inferno: Last in Live
Evil or Divine: Live in New York City
Live albums

Holy Diver: Live

Dio at Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987
Finding the Sacred Heart: Live in Philly 1986
Live in London, Hammersmith Apollo 1993

Diamonds: The Best of Dio

Anthology
Master Series
Compilations

The Very Beast of Dio

Anthology Volume Two
Stand Up and Shout: The Dio Anthology
The Ronnie James Dio Story: Mightier Than the Sword
The Very Beast of Dio Vol. 2

Singles

"Holy Diver"
"Rainbow in the Dark"
"The Last in Line"
"We Rock"
"Mystery"
"Rock 'n' Roll Children"

"Hungry for Heaven"

"Dio Live"
"King of Rock and Roll"
"I Could Have Been a Dreamer"
"All the Fools Sailed Away"
"Electra"

Live in Concert
A Special from the Spectrum
Sacred Heart "The Video"
Time Machine
Evil or Divine: Live in New York City

Videos

We Rock
Holy Diver: Live
Finding the Sacred Heart: Live in Philly 1986
Live in London, Hammersmith Apollo 1993

Black Sabbath
Rainbow
Elf

Related bands

Hear 'n Aid

Heaven & Hell

Discography
Holy Dio: Tribute to Ronnie James Dio
Magic: A Tribute to Ronnie James Dio

Related articles

Dio - Jorn Album

Ronnie James Dio: This Is Your Life
MusicBrainz: c55193fb-f5d2-4839-a263-4c044fca1456

Authority control

Categories:

Dio (band)

American hard rock musical groups

Heavy metal musical groups from New Hampshire

Heavy metal musical groups from New York

Musical groups established in 1982

Musical groups disestablished in 1991

Musical groups reestablished in 1993

Musical groups disestablished in 2010

Musical quintets

Vertigo Records artists

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