The career of late rock legend Ronnie James Dio is being celebrated with the April 1 release of a tribute album entitled “This Is Your Life.”
The set will feature newly-recorded covers of the singer’s work with Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio by Metallica, Motorhead, the Scorpions, Rob Halford of Judas Priest, Tenacious D, Anthrax, Halestorm, Corey Taylor and others.
Rainbow-era tracks include Metallica’s epic, nine-minute “Ronnie Rising Medley,” which combines “A Light In The Black,” “Tarot Woman,” “Stargazer,” and “Kill The King”; the Scorpions' take on “The Temple Of The King”, Motorhead is joined by Biff Byford from Saxon on “Starstruck”, Rob Halford teams with frequent Dio collaborators Vinny Appice, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Pilson and Scott Warren for “The Man On The Silver Mountain”, and the final line-up of Dio’s solo band – Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo and Scott Warren – are joined by Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath) for “Catch The Rainbow,” a track from Rainbow’s 1975 debut.
Black Sabbath-era covers include an Anthrax version of “Neon Knights”, Adrenaline Mob’s take on “The Mob Rules”, and “I” featuring a group led by Oni Logan on vocals along with Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, and Brian Tichy.
The project presents Dio solo tunes “Rainbow In The Dark” by Corey Taylor (Stone Sour, Slipknot), “The Last In Line” by Tenacious D, “Holy Diver” by Killswitch Engage and “Straight Through The Heart” by Halestorm.
Dio himself is featured on the album’s final song, “This Is Your Life.” Originally released on 1996's "Angry Machines", the singer accompanied only by his longtime keyboardist Scott Warren on piano.
Proceeds from “This Is Your Life” will benefit The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund, co-founded by Wendy Dio. The charity fund is dedicated to supporting cancer-prevention research, raising awareness and educating the public about the vital importance of early detection and prevention when dealing with this deadly disease.
Dio died of stomach cancer on May 16, 2010 at the age of 67.
Various Artists
“Ronnie James Dio: This Is Your Life”
Release date: April 1
01. “Neon Knights” – Anthrax*
02. “The Last In Line” – Tenacious D*
03. “The Mob Rules” – Adrenaline Mob
04. “Rainbow In The Dark” – Corey Taylor, Roy Mayorga, Satchel, Christian Martucci, Jason Christopher*
05. “Straight Through The Heart” – Halestorm*
06. “Starstruck” – Motörhead with Biff Byford*
07. “The Temple Of The King” – Scorpions*
08. “Egypt (The Chains Are On)” – Doro
09. “Holy Diver” – Killswitch Engage
10. “Catch The Rainbow” – Glenn Hughes, Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo, Scott Warren*
11. “I” – Oni Logan, Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, Brian Tichy*
12. “Man On The Silver Mountain” – Rob Halford, Vinny Appice, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Pilson, Scott Warren*
13. “Ronnie Rising Medley (Featuring A Light In The Black, Tarot Woman, Stargazer, Kill The King)” – Metallica*
14. “This Is Your Life” – Dio
* Previously unreleased
See also:
Scorpions recording Rainbow classic for Ronnie James Dio tribute album
Dio album art guitar pick collection available
Ronnie James Dio II Rock Iconz statue unveiled
Dio: 30th anniversary Holy Diver guitars due next month
Ronnie James Dio Cancer Fund to launch awareness program at Orion Music + More
VIDEO: Dio previews Live In Philly 1986 DVD
Ronnie James Dio remembered on 3rd anniversary of his death
VIDEO: Dio previews Live In Philly 1986 DVD
Dio: Deluxe reissue of Magica due this June
Dio to release 1986 live DVD this spring
Ronnie James Dio Cancer Fund presents $100K to T.J. Martell Foundation
Dio: Dream Evil deluxe edition due next month
Ronnie James Dio’s childhood home for sale on eBay
Ronnie James Dio: The Very Beast Of Dio Vol. 2 audio preview
Ronnie James Dio: The Very Beast Of Dio Vol. 2 details released
Dio: The Singles Collection box set due next month
Ronnie James Dio: New Best Of album due this fall
VIDEO: Anthrax covers Black Sabbath classic for Dio tribute
VIDEO: James Durbin pays tribute to Ronnie James Dio
Metallica to appear on Dio, Deep Purple tribute albums
VIDEO: Ryan Adams unplugs for Dio’s Holy Diver
Ronnie James Dio Cancer Fund hosts Awards Gala
Dio's '80s All-Star metal project to be reissued
Update: Ronnie James Dio Cancer Fund Gala
Ronnie James Dio Cancer Fund Gala announced
Ronnie James Dio compilation due next month
Ronnie James Dio Cancer Fund raises more than $450,000 for cancer research
