INTERVIEW: Wendy Dio on her husband’s legacy and Rock for Ronnie event this Sunday
Photo: A custom guitar by Jim Cara with Dio logo that lights up will be played by Lita Ford at Sunday’s event. Photo courtesy of Dio Cancer Fund / Provided by Adrenaline PR with permission.
Ronnie James Dio, the legendary metal singer of Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio, was taken too soon from the world. This past May 16, his family and friends gathered at his memorial in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood, California, to pay their respects, just like they’ve been doing over the past 14 years. For Wendy Dio, Ronnie’s beloved wife, the community of music lovers who gather to honor his legacy is always moving and profound, and she has taken that positive energy and helped the Dio name live on and on.
The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund raises much-needed money for 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, according to press notes.
To raise money for the charity, Wendy and some of Ronnie’s closest musical friends are throwing a celebration this Sunday, May 19, at Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills, California. Rock for Ronnie will feature Lita Ford, Quiet Riot, Eddie Trunk, Jason Charles Miller, the Dio Disciples, Billy McNicol, X-COMM and Eddie Trunk’s All-Star Band. There will be a lot of memories and love in the air at the special event, which has already sold out VIP tickets, but general admission is free, with the hopes that concertgoers donate while at the concert.
Recently Wendy jumped on the phone with Hollywood Soapbox to talk about the event and the legacy of Ronnie. Here’s what she had to say …
On the importance of Rock for Ronnie …
“We do this every year. We’ve done the Ride for Ronnie, but last year and this year since COVID, we had to cut back a bit because it costs so much money to close the streets for the ride. So we’re just doing the Rock for Ronnie. This year it’s Rock for Ronnie at the Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills, and we’re very excited to have Quiet Riot and Lita Ford; a whole bunch of musicians; Eddie Trunk, who always hosts it for us; and we’ll have his all-star band; the Dio Disciples; a whole bunch of people. We’re really excited about it. … We try to put a bad thing of Ronnie passing into a good thing of being able to raise the money for cancer research and education, and at the same time keeping Ronnie’s memory and music alive and having a good time for a good cause.”
On the love she has felt from the rock and metal communities …
“They’re all friends. Most of the bands are all friends of ours, and they give us time and talent. And we’re so happy to have them. … People say really bad things about heavy metal — those dirty, disgusting people. They are the most wonderful, loving people you can find.”
On working with Eddie Trunk over the years …
“Eddie is such a doll. He’s always doing everything for us. In fact, [last year], he did his 40th anniversary [concert] of being in the music business 40 years. He has really helped keep the music alive, and there were so many musicians playing there that came for him. And they had a signed guitar, and they all signed it. And Criss Angel bid $50,000 on it for our charity, which we’re so grateful for.”
On some special surprises at this year’s event, including a Dio guitar played by Lita Ford for auction …
“We were very excited about it. I think they painted Ronnie’s face on it, and she’s going to play it. And then we’re going to auction it off. We’re very excited about it.”
On moving this event to Warner Center Park …
“We’re having to start all over again and learn different things and different places. We were at the other place for about eight years, and it was like clockwork. This time we had to start again because everything is going in a different place and different things. We don’t know how many people are coming because VIP seats were sold out, but now there’s a free concert. So we don’t know exactly how many people are going to show up, but we’re going to get a very good crowd. … We sell beer and wine and merchandise. There’s all kinds of food trucks and booze and vendors there, and this year we have an honorary tree where they can write of someone that they love that they’ve lost and put it on a tree together with Ronnie. There’s a big cutout of Ronnie on there.”
On the 14th anniversary of saying goodbye to Ronnie …
“Yesterday was his actual memorial when he passed away on the 16th. We always gather up at Forest Lawn and have a memorial service for him. This year, I mean he’s gone 14 years, we still had 28 of his friends up there. We pay our respects to him and just tell tales about Ronnie of different things that they hold to their heart, and then we all go to the Indian restaurant, which was his favorite food, and celebrate his life.”
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Rock for Ronnie, featuring Quiet Riot, Lita Ford, Eddie Trunk and others, will be held Sunday, May 19, at Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills, California. Click here for more information.
