Ronnie James Dio – 5 Years Remembered

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Ronnie James Dio – 5 Year Memorial

Hall Of Liberty : Forest Lawn

Hollywood Hills

May 16, 2015

(all photos © Kevin Estrada/www.kevinestrada.com)

    SOUNDCHECK & BACKSTAGE MOMENTS : Photos 1-34 THE EVENT :  Photos 35-146

-WELCOME:    EDDIE TRUNK – introduces DR. SANDY KAPOOR (SUAS Medical Director & Board Member)

SPEAKER 1:   DR. SANDY KAPOOR (speaks about SUAS)

SEGUE: EDDIE TRUNK – introduces LITA FORD

SPEAKER 2:   LITA FORD (speaks about song “Lisa”, written about her mother who passed from cancer)

PERFORMANCE 1:   “LISA” – LITA FORD & PATRICK KENNISON (acoustic)

SEGUE: EDDIE TRUNK – introduces WYN DAVIS (Producer), & DEAN SCHACHTEL (SUAS Board Member):

SPEAKER 3:   WYN DAVIS

SPEAKER 4:   DEAN SCHACHTEL

SEGUE: EDDIE TRUNK – introduces GREAT WHITE

PERFORMANCE 2:   “HEAVEN & HELL” – GREAT WHITE (acoustic)

SEGUE: EDDIE TRUNK – introduces APRIL EPPILITO

SPEAKER 5:   APRIL EPPILITO (speaks about her son)

SEGUE: EDDIE TRUNK – introduces LORRAINE LEWIS with GREAT WHITE

PERFORMANCE 3:   “LAST IN LINE” – LORRAINE LEWIS with GREAT WHITE

SEGUE: EDDIE TRUNK – introduces SHEILA MELODY (SUAS Board Member

SPEAKER 6:   SHEILA MELODY

SEGUE: EDDIE TRUNK – introduces ROUGH CUTT (Paul Shortino, Amir Derakh, Chris Hager, Matt Thorne, Dave Alford)

SPEAKER 7:   PAUL SHORTINO (speaks about Ronnie producing the song)

PERFORMANCE 4:   “TAKE HER” – ROUGH CUTT

SEGUE: EDDIE TRUNK – introduces ROCK FEINSTEIN (Ronnie’s Cousin & band mate from Elf

SPEAKER 8:   ROCK FEINSTEIN

SEGUE: EDDIE TRUNK – introduces John Payne, Rock Feinstein, Christian Martucci, Sean McNabb, Roy Mayorga & Scott Warren

PERFORMANCE 5:   “MISTREATED” – JOHN PAYNE, ROCK FEINSTEIN, CHRISTIANMARTUCCI, SEAN McNABB, ROY MAYORGA & SCOTT WARREN

SEGUE: EDDIE TRUNK – introduces VINNY APPICE & STEVE MIGNARDI

SPEAKER 9:   VINNY APPICE

SPEAKER 10:            STEVE MIGNARDI

SEGUE: EDDIE TRUNK – introduces Gabbie Rae, Rowan Robertson, Rudy Sarzo, Vinny Appice & Scott Warren

PERFORMANCE 6: “RAINBOW IN THE DARK” – GABBIE RAE, ROWAN ROBERTSON, RUDY SARZO, VINNY APPICE & SCOTT WARREN

SEGUE: EDDIE TRUNK – introduces RUDY SARZO

SPEAKER 11:           RUDY SARZO

SEGUE: EDDIE TRUNK – introduces Ann Boleyn (of Hellion), Craig Goldy, Sean McNabb, Simon Wright & Scott Warren

PERFORMANCE 7: “SIGN OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS” – ANN BOLEYN, CRAIG GOLDY, SEAN McNABB, SIMON WRIGHT & SCOTT WARREN

SEGUE: EDDIE TRUNK – introduces CRAIG GOLDY & SCOTT WARREN (Members of Dio)

SPEAKER 12:            CRAIG GOLD

SPEAKER 13:            SCOTT WARREN

SEGUE: EDDIE TRUNK – introduces Oni Logan, Joe Retta, Craig Goldy, Bjorn Englen, Simon Wright & Scott Warren

PERFORMANCE 8: “STARGAZER” – ONI LOGAN, JOE RETTA, CRAIG GOLDY, BJORN ENGLEN, SIMON WRIGHT & SCOTT WARREN

SEGUE: EDDIE TRUNK – introduces SCOTT (BIG SCOTT) SENTINELLA

SPEAKER 14:            SCOTT (BIG SCOTT) SENTINELLA

PERFORMANCE 9: “STAND UP AND SHOUT” – RICKY WARWICK, ROBBIE CRANE, CHRIS BRODERICK, JIMMY BAIN & VINNY APPICE

SEGUE: EDDIE TRUNK – “That was… Ricky Warwick, Robbie Crane, Chris Broderick, Jimmy Bain,Vinny Appice & Scott Warren” introduces WENDY DIO

SPEAKER 15:            WENDY DIO – Thank you / Closing Speech                                                                   

Dio’s Final Farewell

Ronnie James Dio

Hall Of Liberty : Forest Lawn

Hollywood Hills

May 30, 2010

Since 1983, Memorial Day Weekend held a special place in my heart when it came to Heavy Metal Music.  It was on May 29, 1983 that I attended Heavy Metal Day at the US Festival in Devore, California.  300,000 dedicated metal fans came out that weekend to support what was important – Metal.  Once again, Memorial Day Weekend holds a new place in my heart when it comes to Metal Music.  Yesterday, May 30, 2010, thousands of dedicated metal fans came out to support what was important – the life of Ronnie James Dio.

I was one of the lucky ones that was able to attend and take part in this special farewell to one of the founding fathers of Metal.  I was privileged to be able to document the entire Memorial Ceremony – the load-ins, the soundchecks, the arrivals, the fans, the music, the memories, and the tears.

It was a touching and tasteful service, led by Eddie Trunk.  Ronnie’s life and musical talents were broken down and chronicled era by era, section by section, accompanied by live musical performances, video clips, and friends.  Three and half hours was not nearly long enough to display the gifts and love that Ronnie gave to all of us throughout his life.

I hope you enjoy my slideshow…it is my gift to all of you.  I am and always will be a fan and I am blessed to be able to make my living doing what I love.  Rest In Peace Ronnie, your impact in music and your huge warm heart will never be forgotten.

P.S.  Thanks Rob, for being by my side on both of these special Memorial Day Weekends!

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The Man On The Silver Mountain

Ronnie James Dio

(July 10, 1942 – May 16, 2010)

Dressing Room

Los Angeles, CA

April 1, 2005

Just like the millions of Rock Fans around the world, I was stunned this past Sunday morning to hear the news that Ronnie James Dio had passed away a few hours earlier.  Just a few weeks ago I was excited to see him on stage at the Golden God Awards, throwing his metal fingers in the air – as it should be.

Metal and Hard Rock has truly lost an icon, an innovator, and a gentlemen.  I had the pleasure to work with Ronnie a number of times over the years, and every experience was memorable.  He had the heart of a giant and the vocal pipes of an even larger man than that.  The music world will never be the same.

I shot this photo  of Ronnie in Motorhead’s dressing room in Los Angeles a few years ago.  As always, RJD was in a great mood and really played it up for my camera.  I am really going to miss the Holy Diver.

RJD Memorial Info:

Wendy Dio has asked that in lieu of sending flowers, please make a donation to the Ronnie James Dio “Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund.” You can send your check or money order to the Niji Entertainment Group, 12400 Ventura Blvd. #624, Studio City, CA, 91604. From all of us at the Niji Entertainment Group.

Lastly, there will be a Public Memorial Service for Ronnie James Dio on Sunday, May 30th at 2:00 PM at The Hall Of Liberty located at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068.

Stand Up And Shout!

Dio

Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre

Laguna Hills, CA

July 26, 1986

Besides battling wizards and dragons, Ronnie James Dio has gone head to head with such heavy-weights as Ozzy Osbourne, Gene Simmons, and even his former and now current band-mates Tony Iommi and Bill Ward. Ronnie is currently involved in the biggest and most fierce battle he has ever had, and we need to send him our prayers.

Just before Thanksgiving of 2009, Ronnie James Dio was diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer.  He jumped right into his cancer treatments, and despite canceling his European Tour, Dio and Heaven & Hell will perform in July at the High Voltage Festival in London.

I have had the honor to have met and worked with Ronnie a handful of times, and I can honestly say that Dio is one of, if not THE, nicest and most down to earth people in heavy music that I have ever, ever met.  For a man who has helped to bring Heavy Music to the masses as well as spearheading numerous charities and community fundraisers, he is genuinely grounded and modest.

The first time I met him, I thought I was going to crush his bones when we shook hands…and I am not much bigger than he is.  Besides, if it weren’t for Dio, who knows what two fingers we would be sticking in the air!

You can send cards, letters, well-wishes, etc. to Ronnie at:

Dio Fan Club

12400 Ventura Blvd.

Suite 624

Studio City, CA  91604

It Doesn’t Get Much Better Than This

Heaven & Hell
Greek Theatre
Los Angeles, CA
August 11, 2009

Have you ever had one of those nights when everything seems to go just right?  If you’re anything like me, you start waiting to get slammed with something negative to balance things out.  Here is my story…

First off, I get to shoot Heaven & Hell…that alone is cool enough.  Next, they set me up with free parking…not in the stacked area, but in the good lot.  Then, I’m hooked up with a great seat for the show.  Then, my best bud Rob decides to come to the show and we work it out to sit together for the show…just like old times.  Heaven & Hell are amazing…Tony Iommi proves he is still inspiring.  Then, we get hooked up with hospitality at the show… you know – free booze, coffee, desserts, finger foods, etc.  Hung with my bro Rudy Sarzo a bit…greatest guy!!

So, basically, it was an amazing night of Heaven & Hell…and it did not cost me a dime.  But it’s not over yet.  As Rob and I are walking out of the venue, I explain to him what a great night it was and I run the list of greatness by him.  Then I say, “The only thing missing was a free t-shirt.”  Rob says, “Well, you can’t have everything.”

We walk to his car, and three rough looking dudes are drinking beer and leaning on his car.  They look at us, stare us down as we approach.  I am very cautious as I am carrying 15 grand worth of photo gear.  The thugs say, “Hey, is this your car?”  Rob says, “Yeah.”  Then they say, “Hey man, we’re just hanging out man, you gotta’ problem with that?”  Rob says, “No, it’s cool.”  They continue to watch us.  Rob opens his trunk and I start putting my photo gear inside.  Then one dude says to me, “Hey, come here.”  I am cautious, I don’t move.  I say, “What do you want?”  He says again, “Come here.”  I say, “I’m right here, what?”  He pulls out a Heaven & Hell shirt that he bought from some bootlegger in the parking lot.  He says, “This will fit you, right?  It’s a large, I need extra large.  You want it.”  I roll my eyes, the last thing I need is to pull out cash in front of these boozers.  I tell him, “I’m a medium guy, large is too big for me.”  He tosses the shirt to me and tells me to check.  I hold it up against my torso, it’s too big for me.  I tell him, “This thing is like a dress on me, it will fit you.”  I toss it back to him.  He tosses it right back to me, “No man, I need extra large, I’m too fat.”  This guy is not taking no for an answer, I figure he must want more beer money.  So I say, “How much do you want for it?”  He says, “No man, take it, free, I don’t want it, it’s yours…take it.”  I look at Rob.  Rob looks at me.  “Really?” I say.  “Yeah dude” he replies.  We exchange a good bro hug and I tell him that I am happy to know that there are still some good people out there.  He liked that, and tells his buddies, “You hear that, I’m good people.”

Rob and I get in the car and snicker.  I look at the shirt and tell Rob that it is one of the most hideous shirts I have ever seen.  Then I tell Rob, “This thing is not going to fit me, I need a medium.”  I ask Rob if he wants it and he tells me he also needs extra large.  We start to drive off, then I spot a bootlegger selling shirts on the other side of the parking lot.  I tell Rob to drive over to him.  I roll down the window and call the guy over,  His hands are full of dozens of the same hideous shirt.  I tell him, “Hey, I told you I needed a medium and you gave me a large.”  He says, “Oh, sorry” and gives me a medium in exchange for the large.  I roll up the window and look at Rob.  Rob tells me, “I guess you can have everything.”

Like I said, a great night!

Photographed with my Nikon D300 and a 300mm 2.8 lens.