News
’King of Rock n’ Roll – A Tribute to Ronnie James Dio at Pecsa Music Hall tonight11 May 2012, 00:01
"It is probably safe to say that there is not a single rock or metal fan in the whole world who has not heard of former Rainbow and Black Sabbath vocalist Ronnie James Dio, and most of us treasure his memory up in a special place within our hearts.
On May 11 Hungarian singers, musicians, and bands pay tribute to the legendary frontman who tragically passed away two years ago. The event titled ’King of Rock n’ Roll – A Tribute to Ronnie James Dio” organised by Hard Rock Magazine (www.hardrock.hu) and Pecsa Music Hall will feature a long line of established Hungarian artists from the national hard ’n heavy scene. Fronting bands like Power, Stonedirt, and Avatar will be singers and players Péter Sipos (Irigy Hónaljmirigy), Joe Rudán (Mobilmánia, Coda), Károly Lőrincz (Asphalt Horsemen, Whitesnake Tribute Band), András Zeffer (RockBand, Mobilmánia), Attila ’Atka’ Scholtz (Cry Free), Attila ’Tüdő’ Szűcs (Judas Best, Invader), Szabolcs György Moldován (Avatar), Dániel Szebényi (Avatar), and Zoltán Sipeki (Lead Zeppelin).
The extensive setlist of this special show will include all the Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and DIO classics originally sung by Ronnie James Dio.
As it is known, the late and great artist was carried away by cancer, and the organisers and performers both want to use this event to draw people’s attention to the threat of the killing disease.
'It is our pleasure to welcome the Hungarian Anti-cancer Association (Magyar Rákellenes Liga) amongst the sponsors and supporters of our concert as well as legendary Hungarian classic rock musician András Zeffer, who has successfully survived the deadly disease', the official statement of the organisers reads. 'This concert is not only an opportunity for us to commemorate the life and work of an excellent artist and great person, but also a chance to take action against this cruel disease taking an ever heavier toll of life.
We would like to thank every sponsor, performer, promoter, media person, and everyone at Pecsa Music Hall for their contribution to make this event widely accessible by providing free entry. We hope that in the current economic situation this will further encourage fans of Dio and generally rock music to join this celebration of the genre and one of its most outstanding characters. However, if you can afford to help, we kindly ask you to do so by donating a sum of your choice to the Hungarian Anti-cancer Association. Let’s rock together against cancer!"
Some of Dio's family members, musician friends, and fans are also supportive of the event, as is his widow Wendy Dio, former bandmate and renowned drummer Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath), and keen follower Nils Patrik Johansson (Astral Doors), the latter two of which even messaged us on video.