Join Kat Walters, as we explore the life and times of Ronnie James Dio with this Rockumentary series. Learn about his early days in Cortland, his musical influence on others, and his storied musical journey through the memories of his long time friends, fans, and loved ones.
Countdown to Dio Day: (Click the day number below to listen)
Day1: Ronnie’s classmate and close friend, Butch Hyde, speaks about his relationship with Ronnie, and tells a story of how he truly became “the man on the silver mountain”.
Day 2: Craig Goldy, Ronnie’s lead Guitar player since 1986, reflects on his experience working with Ronnie and his kind, gentle, personality. He also talks about writing with Ronnie before his untimely death in 2010.
Day 3: Local artists, Charlie Bertini and Steve Daniels (who were part of Dio Day 2012), weigh in on Ronnie’s influence on their music careers over the years.
Day 4: Local artists, Billy Gollicki and Mark Doyle (who were part of Dio Day 2012), weigh in on Ronnie’s influence on their music careers over the years.
Day 5: David “Rock” Feinstein (Ronnie’s cousin) discusses his relationship with Ronnie through the years following their time together in Elf, and how one of Ronnie’s last recordings was a collaboration with David on a track called “Metal will Never Die” from Feinstein’s solo album “Bitten By The Beast”.
Day 6: Bass player Rudy Sarzo (who has played with many well known bands including Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Dio, Blue Öyster Cult, Geoff Tate’s Queensrÿche, and more) discusses the magic of Ronnie James Dio, shares memories of working with him in Dio, and tells us one of the most important things he’s learned from Ronnie.
Day 7: David “Rock” Feinstein (Ronnie’s cousin) talks about Elf’s success, and how, eventually, Ronnie moved on to Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and ultimately his own band Dio.
Day 8: David “Rock” Feinstein (Ronnie’s cousin/ The Rods) explains how he became the guitar player for Ronnie’s band, Ronnie Dio and The Prophets, and how that evolved into the creation of Elf.
Day 9: Dick Bottoff tells us the story of when Ronnie & The Prophets opened for the Rolling Stones, and his relationship with Ronnie through the years.
Day 10: Tommy Rogers talks about his experience with Ronnie as a part of Ronnie’s earliest musical projects, and as a long time friend.
