Inaugural ROCK FOR RONNIE Concert in the Park
Brings In Over $50,000 for Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund
All-Star Jam Adds to Exciting Afternoon of
Music and Family Fun at SRO Event
The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund (www.diocancerfund.org)returned to live events in a big way on Sunday, May 7 with its inaugural ROCK FOR RONNIE Concert in the Park held at Los Encinos Historic Park in Encino. This first ROCK FOR RONNIE, which sold out in advance, was a day of live rock music, silent and live auctions, food trucks and fun for the entire family, while raising awareness of the dreaded disease that has touched all of us in some fashion.
ROCK FOR RONNIE, hosted by radio and television personality Eddie Trunk, who is heard on SiriusXM’s 103 Faction Talk channel, brought in some $50,000 for the Dio Cancer Fund’s mission of cancer prevention, education and research for a cure. The 501(c)(3) public charity was formed in memory of the legendary rock singer Ronnie James Dio, who lost his life to gastric cancer in 2010.
The afternoon kicked off with Jason Charles Miller and his band’s unique brand of southern rock. The Atomic Punks (the Tribute to Early Van Halen) followed with a rousing set of familiar material. Next up was the Return of…STEAMROLLER, a reunion 10 years in the making, featuring veteran musicians and former members of Whitesnake Doug Aldrich, Brian Tichy and Michael Devin, performing Whitesnake classics.
Dio Disciples, comprising Simon Wright, Scott Warren, Oni Logan, Bjorn Englen, Ira Black, Terry Ilous and Dyna Shirasaki plus guest performer singer Ann Boleyn, completed the formal lineup.
An All-Star Jam comprising a variety of classic metal hits like Rainbow’s “Long Live Rock ‘N Roll” and Motӧrhead’s “Ace of Spades” as well as Dio favorites such as “Don’t Talk to Strangers” and “Stand Up and Shout” closed out the show. Participants included guitarists Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, DIO, Steamroller); Ira Black (BulletBoys, Dio Disciples, Vio-lence); Chris Broderick, (In Flames, Act of Defiance, ex Megadeth); Phil Demmel (Vio-lence, Machine Head); Marc Ferrari (Keel); Keith Nelson (Buckcherry); Adrian Vandenberg (Whitesnake, Vandenberg); Ricky Warwick (Thin Lizzy, Black Star Riders); and Toshi Yanagi of the Jimmy Kimmel Live band; vocalists Andry Lagiou (The Voice Greece, her bespoke band Andry); Michael Devin (Whitesnake, Steamroller); Jesse Hughes (Eagles of Death Metal); Chad McMurray (Rivet Skull, Dio Rising); Patrick Stone (Budderside, Sweet, Adler’s Appetite); Marq Torien (BulletBoys); Neil Turbin (Death Riders, Anthrax); and Chas West (West Bound, Bonham); bass players Stu Hamm (Joe Satriani, Steve Vai); Sean McNabb (Dokken, The Keef Richards); Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake); Marty O’Brien (Daughtry, Lita Ford); Dug Pinnick, (King’s X); Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Whitesnake, Dio); and Kemble Walters (Chevelle); drummers Fred Aching (BulletBoys, Kings of Thrash, Powerflo); Mike Dupke (Wednesday 13, W.A.S.P.); Kyle Hughes (Bumblefoot, Marco Mendoza); Zak St. John (Black Star Riders); and Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Steamroller); and keyboard players Walter Ino (The Babys, Eagles of Death Metal); and Mike Mangan (The Cult).
https://www.facebook.com/RJDSUASCF/
https://www.instagram.com/diocancerfund/
Legendary rock singer Ronnie James Dio, who lost his life to gastric cancer in 2010, is the subject of the acclaimed documentary film DIO: DREAMERS NEVER DIE, which was released theatrically last fall and is now streaming on SHOWTIME. The DVD, Blu-Ray and the film’s soundtrack album will be available later this year.
The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund (www.diocancerfund.org) was formed in memory of the legendary rock singer Ronnie James Dio, 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 already 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. Over the past four years, the Dio Cancer Fund has committed funds to support 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. This technology has been in research and testing phases over the last three years and recently received regulatory approval. This cutting-edge research, which is in keeping with the organization’s mission of cancer prevention, research and education, will enable thousands of people to get screened for previously hard to detect cancers. Early detection saves lives!
100% of the net proceeds from the ROCK FOR RONNIE will go to the Dio Cancer Fund, which is now in its 13th year of raising awareness and much-needed funding for cancer prevention, education and research for a cure. The organization’s next fund-raising event will be its annual BOWL FOR RONNIE Celebrity Bowling Party is scheduled for November 16 at PINZ Bowling Center in Los Angeles.
Heavy Metal Hill 