The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, founded in memory of Ronnie James Dio, the legendary voice of Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio, presented a wonderful weekend of events from May 15-17 in Los Angeles, dubbed the RONNIE JAMES DIO’s 5th Year Remembrance weekend. The events included a BOWL FOR RONNIE Celebrity Bowling tournament and red carpet, a public Memorial Service celebration with performances and speeches, and the inaugural RIDE FOR RONNIE motorcycle ride and BBQ.
Designed to raise funds for cancer research and education, the weekend’s events and auctions brought in over $155,000 to go directly to these causes. Auctions included bowling pins autographed by artists such asTenacious D, Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac, YES, Anthrax and Metallica, a Dio guitar signed by artists in attendance to the bowling event (this guitar fetched a generous $6,100), a signed book of photography by PG Brunelli ($2,000 raised), and more.
The overlying theme of the weekend wasn’t just celebration, but in addition, learning how to prevent and detect cancer – early. The Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund cites early detection as a way that Ronnie could still be with us today, and many of the funds garnered from these events will go towards this type of education.
“Detecting cancer early saves lives and it gives doctors a better chance to cure cancer,” states Ronnie’s doctor Sandy Kapoor, MD. “We support research that develops new cancer screening tests and finds new targeted treatments that are more effective at treating cancer. I enjoyed manning the Check Yourself booth during the events this weekend that educated the fans about protecting against the ravages of skin cancer.”
The weekend began with a fun-filled BOWL FOR RONNIE charity bowling tournament at Pinz in Studio City, CA. Celebrities filed in one by one to walk down the star-studded red carpet, take photos and do interviews. Once finished, everyone made their way to the auction area for the signed pin charity auction and to get situated in their bowling lanes while DJ Will spun tunes. The fun began with weekend host Eddie Trunk kicking off the festivities with a speech, and the attendees began to bowl immediately.
Attendees to the red carpet and bowling event included Jack Black and Kyle Gass of Tenacious D, Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine, Steven Adler of Guns N’ Roses, Christian Martucci and Roy Mayorga of Stone Sour, several past members of Ronnie’s different musical groups, and many more.
Wendy Dio and Gonzo Sandoval, 2nd Place Winner
Photo by PG Brunelli
Steven Adler, Eddie Trunk, Nuno Bettencourt, Chris Broderick, Jeff Scott Soto, Jack Black, Tom Morello and Josh Todd getting ready to bowl at Pinz
Photo by Alex Kluft
The second day of the weekend, the beautiful memorial celebration and performances at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, began with the public opening of a two-wing Ronnie James Dio museum, featuring gold and platinum records, exclusive photos, memorabilia, stage outfits, and more. The performances and speeches began, featuring words by Ronnie’s doctor, Dr. Sandy Kapoor, Wendy Dio, Eddie Trunk, Dean Schachtel, Vinnie Appice, David “Rock” Feinstein, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo, Lita Ford, and others. Stellar performances included the track “Lisa” by Lita Ford (written as an homage to her mother, who passed of cancer), Patrick Kennison (The Union Underground), Marty O’Brien, and covers of Ronnie James Dio songs “Heaven & Hell” performed by Great White, “Take Her” performed by Rough Cutt (Paul Shortino, Amir Derakh, Chris Hager, Matt Thorne, Dave Alford), “The Last In Line” performed by GREAT WHITE feat. Lorraine Lewis (Femme Fetale), “Mistreated” performed by John Payne (Asia), Rock Feinstein (Elf, The Rods), Christian Martucci (Stone Sour), Sean McNabb (Quiet Riot, Dokken, Great White), Roy Mayorga (Stone Sour) & Scott Warren (Dio, Heaven & Hell), “Rainbow In The Dark” by Gabbie Rae, Rowan Robertson (Dio), Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Geoff Tate, Dio), Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio, Rick Derringer, Heaven & Hell) & Scott Warren (Dio, Heaven & Hell),“Sign Of The Southern Cross” performed by Ann Boleyn, Craig Goldy (Dio), Sean McNabb (Quiet Riot, Dokken, Great White), Simon Wright (Dio, AC/DC) & Scott Warren (Dio, Heaven & Hell), and “Stand Up And Shout” performed by Ricky Warwick (Black Star Riders), Robbie Crane (Black Star Riders), Chris Broderick (ex-Megadeth, Act of Defiance), Jimmy Bain (Dio, Rainbow) & Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio, Rick Derringer, Heaven & Hell). After the memorial, family, friends and fans made their way up to Ronnie’s gravesite to pay their respects.
Chris Broderick performing at the memorial service at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills
Photo by Kevin Estrada
Rudy Sarzo and Lita Ford backstage at the memorial service at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills
Photo by Kevin Estrada
Wendy Dio speaking at the memorial service at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills
Photo by Gene Kirkland
Day three kicked off with a RIDE FOR RONNIE motorcycle rally starting at Harley Davidson of Glendale riding to Los Encinos Park in Encino, CA for a sunny BBQ full of fun auctions and performances. In addition to several reprised performances from the memorial, rock legend Eddie Money, DC4 ((Rowan Robertson, Jeff Duncan, Matt Duncan, Shawn Duncan), and Others (Joe Colover, John Hatfield, Jessie Sanches, Patrick Martin) performed tracks for onlooking fans and friends. Attendees enjoyed tasty food and several goods being sold from merchant tents, in addition to free SUAS Cancer Fund sunscreen being handed out by Dr. Sandy Kapoor, promoting measures to prevent different types of cancer. A special Condor Squadron fly-by of seven vintage World War II airplanes put a cherry on top of the already amazing day – a beautiful homage to cap a fantastic, celebratory weekend.
Over the BBQ: a Condor Squadron fly-by of seven vintage World War II airplanes, taken from one of the cockpits
Photo by Scott Dworkin
Eddie Money performing at Los Encinos Park
Photo by Gene Kirkland
Fans, friends, and musicians alike enjoyed themselves while honoring Ronnie and raising cancer awareness. Lita Ford, who appeared at the bowling event and performed at both the memorial service and BBQ, had much to share about each of the weekend’s events. “I have to say, Wendy Dio has put together the classiest, most well-arranged and beautifully arranged functions I have ever seen – right down to the Glendale police escort at the motorcycle run. What a joy to be able to attend these events. I was in tears looking in the rear view mirror of the motorcycle back at 150 bikers all following Wendy. Wow! The first day at the bowling alley was a blast with Dio music playing the entire week end, and getting to meet Jack Black was so wicked. Awesome… even though I cannot bowl to save my life. I had to have one of those beautiful t-shirts that Wendy and her team had a limited edition made up of, so I bought four, then watched my band bowl while I sat back and ate pizza and drank champagne.
Ford adds, “The memorial was heart-warming and touching, and needless to say, being the softy I am for Rainbow, Sabbath and Ronnie, I cried again. Tears of joy. Wendy and her team are awesome and I would do anything for them out of love, respect, and an activist against cancer myself. I was invited to sing my song I wrote for my mother who died from cancer. Three months prior to her death, LISA was written. In honor of Ronnie’s angel watching over us during those days. It’s still so hard to believe he’s gone. Eddie Trunk always knows the right thing to say too, as well as Ronnie’s doctor and other guest speakers. It was a magical day of remembrance and guest speakers, and of course rock n’ roll.”
Wendy Dio and Lita Ford with the RIDE FOR RONNIE escorting officers
Photo by Gene Kirkland
“It was really a fun filled weekend, and that’s just the way Ronnie would have wanted it,” states David “Rock” Feinstein, Ronnie’s cousin and member of The Rods and Elf. “Yes, there were sad moments remembering him, listening to his music, and all the experiences that we shared, bringing tears to my eyes, but I knew Ronnie well enough to know that he would want us to be laughing, and not crying. We all miss him terribly, but we are still fortunate enough to have his music and the messages in his lyrics to remember him by.”
David “Rock” Feinstein performing at the memorial service at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills
Photo by Kevin Estrada
Emerging rock vocalist Gabbie Rae adds, “It was such an honor to be part of the Ronnie James Dio Memorial weekend and so amazing to perform his masterpiece, “Rainbow in the Dark” surrounded by so many of his friends, family and fans who all loved him so much. My Mom and Dad raised me on the best music and I have been listening to Dio since I was 5 years old. His music and his lyrics inspire me every day and I look forward to representing the next generation of rock as Ronnie would want…. with honesty, kindness and respect. Thank you Ronnie and Rest in Peace.”
Gabbie Rae performing at the memorial service at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills
Photo by Kevin Estrada
