Rocket Queen *Promotion*: legend

This was your life! The day the legend died. Goodbye Ronnie James Dio.

My personal story about the sad day I received the news Ronnie died.

Pic source: WWW

Some days before Ronnie left us some internet media already reported that he already died an so I was shocked and browsed the whole internet for news on Ronnies condition. So all the fans browsed the news for official statements but luckily there weren't any. So I was worrying more and more – like all the fans did. In April the news said that Ronnies condition is better so it was great news and positive vibes but then rapidly bad news were on its way in May. Well but lots of fan groups opened way after it was official that Ronnie has got cancer. I joined some groups too and we all posted and sent prayers for Ronnie to be heard. Also I sent a personal letter to Ronnie with positive thoughts and prayers also included a CD of my husband`s band to send positive vibes via music as music is what Ronnie loved best. It was really touching me writing this letter but I did it with all my love for Ronnie. And so hoped that he could read it and had the strength to read lots of his fan-mail during his hard battle... sure it was tons and tons of letters as thousands of fans all around the globe send their personal wishes to Ronnie.

So it was the day which changed my life once more... May 17^th2010. It was a Monday and I was at work. Still Ronnie on my mind. Then I was about to check my short messages with a blink of a second I found out that my husband sent a text telling me: Hi sweetheart, Ronnie is free and out of pain, he left us. Don't be sad he had a fulfilled life. Even now as I write this tears fill my eyes. So I was speechless and sad. Even if I know he had a fulfilled life and such it hit me hard. I was totally down and sad to the bones. At this moment I wanted to cry and scream all at once. But as I was at work no chance for an immediate crying-session. So I worked on tally out of my mind and waiting for the time to get out of the office. So the moment I got into my car I cried and cried – was so sad. I sure knew that Ronnie was at a better place now and without pain but I asked myself how to live a life without holy Ronnie without my master of metal? Really unbelievable and up to this day it still is... well so I let my feelings out while driving to my mom... with tears in my eyes I drove to my mom – once reached her I had to whipe the tears from my eyes and then I told her that my legend Ronnie died... and when I went back home same thing driving with tears in my eyes another hard drive. And so this crying-session with many tears lasted a whole week – it was the same feeling like a close family member died. It was and still is so hard to imagine that there won't be another Dio show nor another concert.

The good thing was that I kept on listening to the Dio albums and all Ronnie related albums all the time especially when I drove to work and back.. followed by many many tears from time to time. Well but if I would have stopped listening to Ronnie back then I think the sadness kept me away from listening to Dio Songs ever again. You the fans and members of the band and family sure know what I am talking about here. Well but still hard for me is the fact to watch DVDs with Ronnie and it is still hard for me to this day... so I am only watching them once in a while. Well a whole week of sadness paid its tribute. It was really a hard hard time and hard to get through to it. Ronnies music always guided me through some very hard times and also send a spark of light in those heavy times and is still doing it since the day I discovered Ronnie for myself way back in 1993. Ronnies magic was always there any still is and gives me support, shelter, great stories and magic. So he was like a virtual dad for me. I always admire Ronnie for what he did and what he achieved. Ronnie was loved by all and Ronnie taught us so much – in any case. Every time I listen to his songs I find something new by following the lyrics and that is also magic and very special. For me there is no other vocalist with such a generosity like Ronnie.

Last but not least I have to add: All I ever wanted was to meet Ronnie in person but sadly it didn't work … but I have great memories and I am so thankful that I had the chance to see him live on stage in 2000 (Magica tour) in Bad Laasphe and in 2009 with Heaven and Hell in my hometown Gießen. Ronnie is and was awesome. And I am so happy that Ronnie sends little signs from time to time. So he sent me many „RAINBOWS“ and every time I see a „rainbow rising“ I know that it's Ronnie and I whisper „Thank you Ronnie“!

Well and I privately do anything to let Ronnies magic live on.... like spreading videos, and pics of Ronnie, spreading lyrics on Ronnie.. remembering Ronnie in every way possible... Ronnies magic will shine on! Forever!

And now up to the special Dio family I met over the years - I thank you all for being a part of my life... Dio fans are the best most lovely people in the world. Thank you for being there in those hard times and beyond. Wouldn't know what to do without you. Also a very very special thank you to all of Ronnies real-life friends and bandmembers which I met during the last years. Thank you for becoming friends. I know you are and forever will be Ronnies pride and joy!!! And I am so proud to call you my friends... I am honoredRonnie sent YOU his friends my way as he knew how sad I was and still am. As Ronnie knew that I am so sad he sent me the best gift and so took the action and sent his friends my way and I am really so thankful for that! So thank you to all of YOU for being there for me that means the world to me. So I hope that I can meet you sometime when you are back in Germany would be most special for me. So let me know once you are in Germany and I try to arrange a meeting to get in touch and to say HI in person! YOU ALL ROCK. As Ronnie would say “WE ROCK”.

Another special personal thank you to Tim Ripper Owens for the personal meeting in 2011 (Bochum with Dio Disciples) for making this possible! Tim you are the best and I really admire you for what you do and for being you - I am very proud of you! Also thank you to Steve Mignardi for a short talk backstage. Means so much to me! Well my husband and me joined backstage back then and well I am not sure if you Craig, Simon, Scott, Toby remembered this day and remembering this? But hope you do. As you had other friends from the Netherlands backstage and were about speaking with them my hubby and me don't want to disturb you and don't want to be intrusive so we didn't interrupt those conversations. But I have to say that I am also happy to made a new friend LILLY. Shortly just a day after the show Lilly found me on facebook back then and I was happy bout that and feelhonoredto be her friend too.

Now where do we go?

with ~~~Tim Ripper Owens~~~

~~~© Pic taken by Bassluzi~~~

Craig Goldy (ex-Dio guitarist, Dio Disciples guitarist)

with friendly permission by Craig Goldy

Losing a loved one is hard.

Losing anything is hard......just think of the last time any of us even suspected we had lost our credit card.....and what it does to us....so how much more the loss of a loved one can affect us .....even on a daily basis.

I find that the memories that remain....keeps him close....

And then to realize that even though his body is no longer here.....the relationship that was so dear, actually has not been severed by a mere physical and spiritual relocation, but is maintained thru his memory and the love that we all feel and felt for him and from him.

Ronnie is always.....and will always be...on my mind and always in my heart.He made me a much better person and a better thinker even in times of life's bitter detours.Though time may fly on heartless wings.....Ronnie's memory is a stabilizing force within! I will continue to try to be all that he taught me.

His influence was so profound that I find myself at times making decisions and taking actions as though he were right next to me, ready to make a comment.....in the past, my thoughts and actions thereof were often refined and therefore enhanced by how I imagined his potential criticisms might be....and now that often spills into the present day....and I am often better as a result of it.

He is here...but he is not here.....he may be dead....And yet alive. Ronnie is the perfect example of how one man can change the world.

I've said this in the past, and am now compelled to repeat it.....there was a great educator by the name of Horace Mann who had a quote that we all should live by.....but Ronnie was truly one who did....the quote was...."Be ashamed to die....until you've won some victory for mankind"...."Be ashamed to die....until you've won some victory for mankind" !!!!

Ronnie's constant and un-wavered pursuit of supreme excellence in all and everything he did and strived to achieve, his intelligence level, sense of humor, kindness, warmth and the many people and organizations that he helped and played a major part in helping.....not to mention the unique universe his unequaled musical talent created.....that often changed the course of people's lives...is by far a victory for mankind! And Ronnie need not be ashamed to die!

He made the world a better place.......and that's not an easy thing to do! But it sure seemed to come easy and natural to him!

He was the first and last of his kind....and I for one am going to try to live up to those standards in which he so eloquently prevailed and consistently maintained on a daily basis! As impossible as it may seem to obtain.....and if there's one thing I can take with me from all my years with Ronnie.....is that dreams do come true.....and if this is a "dream on dude" moment......then that is exactly what I'm going to do.....until it becomes my reality like it was his!

My prayer for us all is that we are comforted by our most cherished memories of him and that he is in fact in a better place, knowing that he is still with us, watching over us and that our hearts and minds are guarded by the knowledge that God has a plan.....and we are all part of it......as well as Ronnie's new home is also part of the wondrous plan for peace and eternal rest awaiting us all.

Rowan Robertson (ex-Dio guitarist)

I still thank my lucky stars that one of the all time greats in rock and roll music plucked me from obscurity and said I had the talent to play for him. I sincerely miss him and cherish the memories I have of him. Cheers Ronnie!

Colin Heart (ex Rainbow tour manager)

For Ronnie. A diminutive figure of a man with a giant heart and an even bigger voice. The world misses you.

Joacim Sandin (ex Bai-Bang)

„He was the nicest person I've ever met on tour. It was on the monster of millennium tour 2001 and I played with Bai Bang and also was the bass/git tech for Ratt.“

Jeff Pilson (ex-Dio bass player)

„Ronnie was one of the most generous, talented and accomplished musicians I've ever worked with. There's hardly a day goes by where I don't think of him. I miss him so very very much but am glad his music and legacy will live on.“

Steve Mignardi (road manager and personal assistant)

Ronnie and I have been friends since meeting in 1981. In 2002 I had the honour and privilege to take over the position as his road manager and personal assistant. Needless to say this was the best job anyone could ever imagine. Ronnie was a true gentleman in every sense. He truly loved his fans and would spend hours after a show to meet with them and listen to how his music not only inspired them but helped through difficult times in their lives. No matter how many people lined up to see him he always stayed until the last autograph was signed and picture was taken.

I believe that band members became better musicians from working with Ronnie. His quest for always being the best he could be and putting on the best possible performance every night inspired those around him. Not only the musical world but the entire world lost a great man that had so much more to contribute when Ronnie passed away. His legend lives on through his music and in the hearts of all of us who loved him so dearly.

Special thanks to Craig Goldy, Rowan Robertson, Jeff Pilson, Joacim Sandin, Steve Mignardi for writing something for my article - you are the best!

Mittwoch, 10. August 2016

Dio Disciples Rocked Wacken 2016 - presenting Hologram of Ronnie James Dio

Dienstag, 4. März 2014

Ronnie James Dio: The day a legend died....