On May 16, 2010, one of rock music’s greatest voices was silenced when Ronnie James Dio passed away from stomach cancer at age 67. Ever since, Dio’s widow Wendy has been tirelessly working to raise research funding and general awareness of cancer with the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund.
The organization’s third annual awards gala is scheduled for March 17, 2014 at the Avalon nightclub in Hollywood. In addition to the awards presentation, numerous musical guests are set to perform. The festivities will also include a special preview of the upcoming all-star tribute album, This is Your Life. The album is due for release from Rhino Records on April 1 and includes many of Ronnie James Dio’s best songs performed by some of his greatest admirers. Among the performers who contributed newly recorded tracks: Metallica, Anthrax, Tenacious D, and Scorpions.
In fact, several of the artists featured on This is Your Life be performing at the ceremony, including Halestorm and Corey Taylor (of Slipknot and Stone Sour). Also on the bill are former Dio members Rowan Robertson and Jimmy Bain, Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne), Oni Logan (Lynch Mob), and additional surprise guests.
Five special awards, each named after a classic Ronnie James Dio song, will be given to individuals for their contributions to the Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund. Legendary Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford is among the five honorees, which also include producer/engineer Greg Fidelman, Rhino President and CEO Kevin Gore, Monsters of Rock Cruise producer Larry Morand, and ESP Guitars artist relations manager Tim Carhart.
The liner notes of This is Your Life are loaded with quotes from the many participants, all singing the praises of Dio—not just as an influential singer and performer, but also as an inspiring individual. Rob Halford had this to say: “Great singers should grab and hold your attention while they tell us their stories through great song. Legendary singers become our friend even though we may never meet in person. Heroic singers inspire, motivate and encourage us to do good deeds. Ronnie James Dio means all these things to me.”
The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) charity organization founded by Wendy Dio. Monies raised are dedicated to cancer prevention, research, and education. Beneficiaries include: T. J. Martell Foundation for Cancer, AIDS and Leukemia Research and the gastric cancer research unit of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston (where Ronnie James Dio was treated for gastric cancer during the last six months of his life).
The Avalon is located at 1735 North Vine Street in Hollywood. VIP tickets, which include a full hosted bar, gourmet food stations, photo booth and live & silent auctions, are available for $395. General admission balcony seating for the show and album preview is available for $25. For information regarding the Fund, as well as to purchase tickets and sponsorships for the Gala, visit the official website.
First photo: Ronnie James Dio, courtesy of: John Harrell
Second photo: Wendy Dio with medical director Dr. Sandy Kapoor
The organization’s third annual awards gala is scheduled for March 17, 2014 at the Avalon nightclub in Hollywood. In addition to the awards presentation, numerous musical guests are set to perform. The festivities will also include a special preview of the upcoming all-star tribute album, This is Your Life. The album is due for release from Rhino Records on April 1 and includes many of Ronnie James Dio’s best songs performed by some of his greatest admirers. Among the performers who contributed newly recorded tracks: Metallica, Anthrax, Tenacious D, and Scorpions.
In fact, several of the artists featured on This is Your Life be performing at the ceremony, including Halestorm and Corey Taylor (of Slipknot and Stone Sour). Also on the bill are former Dio members Rowan Robertson and Jimmy Bain, Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne), Oni Logan (Lynch Mob), and additional surprise guests.Five special awards, each named after a classic Ronnie James Dio song, will be given to individuals for their contributions to the Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund. Legendary Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford is among the five honorees, which also include producer/engineer Greg Fidelman, Rhino President and CEO Kevin Gore, Monsters of Rock Cruise producer Larry Morand, and ESP Guitars artist relations manager Tim Carhart.
The liner notes of This is Your Life are loaded with quotes from the many participants, all singing the praises of Dio—not just as an influential singer and performer, but also as an inspiring individual. Rob Halford had this to say: “Great singers should grab and hold your attention while they tell us their stories through great song. Legendary singers become our friend even though we may never meet in person. Heroic singers inspire, motivate and encourage us to do good deeds. Ronnie James Dio means all these things to me.”
The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) charity organization founded by Wendy Dio. Monies raised are dedicated to cancer prevention, research, and education. Beneficiaries include: T. J. Martell Foundation for Cancer, AIDS and Leukemia Research and the gastric cancer research unit of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston (where Ronnie James Dio was treated for gastric cancer during the last six months of his life).
The Avalon is located at 1735 North Vine Street in Hollywood. VIP tickets, which include a full hosted bar, gourmet food stations, photo booth and live & silent auctions, are available for $395. General admission balcony seating for the show and album preview is available for $25. For information regarding the Fund, as well as to purchase tickets and sponsorships for the Gala, visit the official website.First photo: Ronnie James Dio, courtesy of: John Harrell
Second photo: Wendy Dio with medical director Dr. Sandy Kapoor
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