––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Heaven & Hell bassist Geezer Butler has mixed feelings about the band’s July 24 performance at the High Voltage Festival. On the one hand, he looked forward to paying a proper tribute to band’s late vocalist Ronnie James Dio, who died from stomach cancer on May 16. However, he’s aware that performing the songs while other vocalists are behind the microphone re-emphasizes the singer’s absence.

“I think it will be exciting and a bit sad at the same time,” Butler told Noisecreep. “He was a one-off great person — utterly irreplaceable. He was a great guy to know, a great friend to me and it was just fantastic working with him.”

For the High Voltage Festival concert in London’s Victoria Park, Heaven & Hell were joined by ex-Black Sabbath vocalist Glenn Hughes (ex-Deep Purple) and Masterplan vocalist Jorn Lande, who released released a tribute to Dio, which features songs by Rainbow, Dio and Black Sabbath.

Before Dio became critically ill with stomach cancer, Heaven & Hell had booked shows in Europe with Metallica throughout August. “Six weeks before we were supposed to start rehearsals, Ronnie got really, really bad and we had to cancel the tour,” Butler said. “The medical treatment seemed to be working and we all thought he was getting better. It was totally unexpected [when his health failed].”

After Dio died on May 16, the band’s European promoter suggested Heaven & Hell play the High Voltage festival show as a tribute to their fallen frontman. “He’s going to donate all the money to Ronnie’s cancer fund, [Stand Up and Shout],” Butler said. “So we said, “Yeah, as long as all the money goes to Ronnie’s charity we’ll do it.”

Butler performed on and off with Dio since the 1980 Black Sabbath comeback album ‘Heaven and Hell,’ the group’s first recording after Ozzy Osbourne was fired from the band. While Sabbath’s career with Dio started and ended with a band, the singer and his bandmates also experienced some major turbulence. While 1980’s ‘Heaven and Hell’ album was a big success, tensions developed during the making of the follow-up, 1981’s ‘Mob Rules,’ and after the December 1982 release of the concert album ‘Live Evil,’ Dio left Black Sabbath and formed his own band, Dio.

He returned to Black Sabbath a decade later to write and record the 1992 album ‘Dehumanizer,’ but at the end of a tour for the record, Black Sabbath agreed to open for Ozzy Osbourne in Costa Mesa, Calif. during what they thought would be Osbourne’s farewell tour, and have Ozzy join Black Sabbath on stage. Dio, who strongly disapproved of the idea, quit the band and returned to his solo career.

Then, in 2006, Rhino Records asked Butler, Dio and Iommi if there were any outtakes they could use for a compilation album ‘Black Sabbath: The Dio Years.’ Since there was nothing in storage, the members decided to get back together to write three new songs on the album. The sessions went so well that the members decided to tour as Heaven & Hell and play material from their three albums along with the new songs.

They released the live CD and DVD ‘Live From Radio City’ in 2007, then toured with Judas Priest, Motörhead and Testament on the Metal Masters Tour. Other tours followed before the members of Heaven & Hell decided to return to the studio and record their third full album together, ‘The Devil You Know,’ which came out in 2009. The album and the tour that followed were tremendously successful, which, in retrospect, provided closure to the band, which went out on one of Dio’s legendary high notes.

“It was almost as if fate had a hand in it,” Butler told Noisecreep. He sniffed and paused to recompose himself then concluded, “Well, he’s at peace now, anyway.”

Some of the artists on the playlist are Albert King, Billie Holiday, Robert Johnson, & the Stanley Clarke Trio.  Check it out!

A Tribute To Ronnie James Dio
At
High Voltage Festival, Saturday 24^th July 2010

Proceeds to be donated to the
Ronnie James Dio “Stand Up And Shout” Cancer Fund

On the 16^th May 2010 Ronnie James Dio passed away and the world of music mourned the loss of the greatest voice of heavy metal.

Dio was a truly iconic figure in music, whose work with Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio and most recently Heaven & Hell defined a genre.

Heaven & Hell were set to be on the road in Europe this summer when news came through that despite the amazing progress he was making Ronnie wouldn’t be well enough to tour and those shows were cancelled.  But now, remaining members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice are set to play a one off show to celebrate his life and work. The band will be completed by Glenn Hughes and Jorn Lande who will both contribute vocals. Former Deep Purple / Black Sabbath star Glenn Hughes was a close friend of Ronnie’s for many years and performed a musical tribute at Ronnie’s funeral service in Los Angeles. Norwegian Jorn Lande is best known in the UK as the vocalist for power metal band Masterplan, he has also released many solo albums including a tribute to Ronnie.  It promises to be a fitting celebration to a man that the metal scene owes so much.

“It’s going to be a very emotional occasion. Ronnie loved his fans like no-one else I know – and they loved him. It will be a privilege doing a gig in honour of his memory, and to help towards his charity. Above all, I hope it encourages people to have regular check-ups for this disease. Early detection is vital, and greatly improves the chance of a cure. I know everyone has heard that a million times before, but seeing one of your best friends die because we all think we’re immune from this disease, really brings it home. Do it for yourself, your family, your friends. Ronnie would be proud of you.” Love & Peace, Geezer Butler

Tony Iommi says “Ronnie’s passing has left a huge hole, we hadn’t anywhere near finished what we set out to do as a band together.  He was so looking forward to the European tour and we hope this appearance will go some way to fulfilling that.”

The Ronnie James Dio “Stand Up And Shout” Cancer Fund Program Description

*The fund is committed to the early detection and prevention of cancer through facilitating access to medical screening and medical educational programs.

*The fund supports programs designed to integrate medical knowledge into local communities such as cancer screening programs, education on nutrition in cancer prevention, exercise and overall wellness.”

*The goal of the fund is to reduce the risk of developing life threatening cancers by offering access to preventative medical services.”

*Furthering the commitment for patients to access to quality medical care related to cancer, the fund seeks to assist families burdened by the cost of caring for loved ones with cancer.“

For further information on the Fund and to make a donation please visit www.ronniejamesdio.com

Tickets for High Voltage festival are priced £135 (for weekend tickets) and £75 (for day tickets). There is no booking fee for Classic Rock Presents High Voltage tickets. Other VIP packages available alongside standard tickets from www.highvoltagefestival.com or 24hr cc ticketline 0871 230 5582.

Please check the websites below for further updates

www.highvoltagefestival.com
www.classicrockmagazine.com

It’s impossible to express in mere words the relationship Ronnie and I, Wendy and my wife Gloria had. He was much more than a friend, fellow musician, band mate. If I have a soul, then he is part of it. I truly believe God, fate, destiny, whatever it’s called, brought us together again in 2006, after not seeing each other for 14 years, to do one final tour, which turned into 3 major tours and an album. We were having a blast together, enjoying each other’s company more than we had ever done before, talking about maybe doing one more album, when fate intervened again. We were planning on doing a 2 or 3 part North American tour, after having toured South America and Europe in Spring /Summer 2009, but on the first leg of the North American tour, Tony’s hand ligaments were in a bad way, Vinny’s shoulder became dislocated, and Ronnie was having terrible stomach pains. We decided to cut the tour, get healthy, and carry on the following year. Tony and Vinny had successful procedures to fix their ailments, but Ronnie’s stomach pains were worsening. I saw him at the Dio Halloween party, but he wasn’t drinking, unusual for Ronnie who liked his tipple. He was telling me he had made an appointment with a specialist, to see what it was…..

Wednesday, 12th May 2010.

Wendy invited Gloria and I to lunch in Santa Barbara. A few close friends of Ronnie and Wendy, Omar, Simon, Paul, Tim, and Diana, had dropped by. Ronnie had no appetite whatsoever- the disease and the chemotherapy were taking an immense toll. As usual, we talked sports and had a laugh together- it would be the last time. That night, I had a beautiful email from him, that I will treasure forever. I sent him an email saying I’d see him during the following week.

Friday, 14th May 2010.

Wendy called to say she had taken Ronnie to hospital. The pain had become unbearable. We got to the hospital around 2 p.m. The doctor eventually sedated him. More and more friends were coming to visit- we took it in turns to hold Ronnie’s hand, and whisper our thoughts to him. Wendy wouldn’t leave his side- she stayed curled up on his bed the whole night. Gloria’s assistant, Debi, kept her company. I emailed Tony to prepare him for bad news.

Saturday, 15th May 2010.

There was no mistaking Ronnie’s room. There were around 25 to 30 friends outside his room. We knew the end was imminent. We all wanted to say our goodbyes. It was a day filled with tears and reflection. In the evening, the chaplain came, and we all gathered around Ronnie’s bed and prayed. Ronnie wasn’t going easily. At 11 p.m., most of us left, leaving Wendy her privacy to say her last farewell. The devastation was palpable.

Sunday, 16th May 2010.

7.46 a.m. As we were preparing to leave for the hospital, Gloria called Wendy to see if she wanted a coffee or any breakfast- she broke the sad news. Ronnie had just passed away.

Wendy Dio has been a true saint through all this. She has been with Ronnie every step of the way. Her courage has amazed us all. Even as I write, she is ensuring Ronnie has the finest send off possible. God bless you, Wendel.

Most people who were there for those last days chose to keep their thoughts private. I wanted to keep my thoughts private, too, but I’ve been overwhelmed by emails, and requests from the media and fans for comments.

I can truly say I’ve never known anyone to have such loyal, loving friends, fans, and family as Ronnie. He really was a special person, blessed with a unique voice and presence. He loved his fans- he would stay meeting and talking to them until the early hours of the morning. One of my fondest memories of him comes from last year, at the Sonisphere Festival,Knebworth. He noticed my sister and her husband at the side of the stage. During our opening song, he took the time to go over and hug them. Just a little thing like that made him special to me. Of course his music will live on forever, as will his influence. I have never seen so many tributes from so many musicians and fans, so many good wishes, no cynicism, just pure love and appreciation for a great man.

God bless you Ronald – thank you so much for the wonderful memories.

Love ya,
Geez

Cheers for everybody’s support during this time of worry, and we hope to see everybody soon!

Geezer

I was so saddened to hear of Pete Steele passing away. He truly was one of the nicest blokes I’ve ever met. He came to the first G//Z/R gig, in New York, showing his support for us. I last saw him in Copenhagen, on the Heaven and Hell tour, where he interviewed me for a bassist to bassist piece. We had lots of fun talking together. I always maintained that the best Sabbath cover was Type O’s version of “Black Sabbath” on the Nativity In Black album. I always looked forward to hearing what he’d come out with- he was always surprising, musically, and such a very special person. One of the truly great ones has now left the stage. R.I. P. Pete- Bog Blast ye.

Pedro Howse on Peter Steele:

Last night I got an email from Geezer with the very, very sad news of the death of Pete Steele. I met Pete a few times along the way and without a shadow of a doubt he was one of the nicest blokes I have met.  He was intelligent, charming, extremely funny & well mannered.  The last time I saw him was in 2007 in Copenhagen on the Heaven & Hell tour. He interviewed Geezer.  He was his usual self, he had us all in stitches laughing and the interview he conducted was fantastic.  I’ll never for get the first time I met him.  It was GZR’s debut gig at the Limelight in New York city.  I was so fucking nervous I could have thrown up for days.  We were standing on the stairway to go on stage and I told him I was shitting myself.  He put his hand on my shoulder and handed me his glass of wine and said “Drink” to which I did.  How could I have possibly refused, ha!!!!  I also think that Type O Negative’s version of “Black Sabbath” was the best on the “Nativity in Black” album.  I’m glad I met Pete Steele and I am very sad to hear of his passing.  Another good one gone.  God bless you Pete, I raise a glass to you.

Pedro Howse
GZR

We, however, aren’t just presenting you with just a new coat of paint, we’re also giving you something cool you can download and check out.   Available now for free download is the Geezer track, “Beach Skeleton”.   Astute Geezer fans will note that Beach Skeleton was the bonus track on the Japanese version of the 1997 album “Black Science”.   Beach Skeleton was never available anywhere else (legally, anyway) outside of Japan until now.   You can download the track here:

http://www.geezerbutler.com/sounds/14 – Beach Skeleton.mp3

Enjoy the track, and let us know what you think of the new site!

Cheers,
Geezer.