Image by Timmy D

I was a punk rock kid born in the 80s growing up in the 90s finding his way through the 2000s. I have three brothers that are all involved with music in one facet or another. My older brother who bleeds metal music, exposed me to so many amazing bands and musicians of the genre. The first metal record I listened to was the song “Call of Ktulu” by Metallica.  Little did my older brother know that he had immediately changed and broadened my musical horizons forever, not to mention found a

Image by Timmy D

common ground in our musical taste.

Fast forward nine years, my band had just been signed to rolling thunder records in San Diego. We were so excited to write a record that transcended heavy rock, jazz, and punk rock.  So there I was in rolling thunder studios tracking vocals for one of our new tunes, when this five foot something frail older gentleman walked into the control room. I could see him through the glass looking at me with every take holding a look of intent on his face. He kept staring at the microphone as I would blast loudly heartfelt notes of rock ‘n’ roll as if it was all too familiar to himself. After about twenty takes my voice was beginning to feel spent. I removed the headphones to take a break from the adrenaline pumping tune I was recording. As I entered the control room young engineer Chris Modell was “flying the board” as if he had been doing it since the 70s. Listening to the playback through the main speaker system the man stood there with a blonde female by his side grooving to the tune. Head bobbing and nodding to the sound of the music. His attention averting towards me as I walked into the room, Modell turned his head to me saying “Timmy!” gesturing his hand towards the gentleman “this is Ronnie, Ronnie this is Timmy D “ . Having no idea who the man was I said “Hey Ronnie how’s it going man? “ Now sensing that the gentleman was somebody of importance in the music scene. “Man, you have one heck of a powerful voice. “ Not knowing at the time who the gentleman was I simply said “thanks, this one is a tough one.”

After receiving the call from my editor that I would be covering the fourth annual ” RIDE for RONNIE ” concert, that one shining memory flooded by into my heart.  I immediately went to the website to start researching the bands performing at the post ride concert, now more excitement entering my bones to learn that the one and only Steven Adler and his all star band would be headlining.  The day began at Glendale Harley Davidson with an amazing turnout.  At least four blocks worth of concrete was covered with two and three wheel rides by the time the riders were starting their engines up to hit the road.  The famed KLOS tour bus was handing out their usual promo swag with one of their three morning show hosts Mr. Fank Kramer taking photo ops with riders.  Dio Cancer Fund co-founder and president Wendy Dio lead the procession of motorcycles onward to Los Encinos State Park in Encino, CA.  Upon arrival a vast cornacopia of rock n roll fans took to the grass field.  Constantly scanning the crowd I noticed the Ronnie fans dawning all types of past tour shirts from the various bands that he had fronted at one time or another through the years.  So many lives touched with just his music, and now a new cause for raising the metal horns becoming a the reason to congregate.  Among those participating in the RIDE this year were actors Star Fields (Sons of Anarchy) and Al Coronel (The Last Ship), actor and musician E.J. Curse, Faster Pussycat’s Taime Downe and former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke, plus Dio Cancer Fund Medical Director Dr. Sandy Kapoor and event sponsor KLOS.

Image by Timmy D

The live music following the RIDE, was hosted by radio and television personality Eddie Trunk who was joined by KLOS’s Melissa Maxx, with a quick introduction by the two the concert commenced with  LBC’s own “Railgun” hard rockers with a grit and attitude. They were followed by the very first live performance by Classless Act, formed by childhood friends Nico Tsangaris on lead guitar and drummer London Hudson, the 15-year old son of GnR’s lead guitarist Slash. They performed their version “The Mob Rules” in honor of Ronnie James Dio who wrote the song for Black Sabbath. Next the Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band, One More From The Road, kept the crowd going with a fine selection of Skynyrd classics of course putting the metaphorical icing on the cake with a spot on rendition of “Free Bird.” A live auction for a guitar signed by Artemis Pyle of the real Skynyrd band along with a few other rare Skynyrd memorabilia were auctioned off following the set.  Beasto Blanco took the stage with more energy and ferocity than the crowd knew what to do with.  You couldn’t help but feel fired up with every song they performed. Each one a little heavier than the next, while still being incredibly catchy and singalongable. (If that’s even a word?) The creation of Chuck Garric and Brother (Chris) Latham, features rock vixen Calico Cooper, the daughter of legendary shock rocker Alice Cooper.  She had the whole venues attention from the first kick hit to the final symbol crash of their set.  One could say she is the new royal countess of rock and had the whole crowd begging to see what number she was going to call next. Damn, so very impressive, so very on point. Garric looking like a seasoned gargoyle kept the crowd on the edge of their seat receiving every growl of his intense voice with metal horns held high. Garric also previously played bass for Ronnie James Dio in his band “Dio”. Dio Disciples, comprising Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Scott Warren, Bjorn Englen and singers Oni Logan and Tim “Ripper” Owens, gave the crowd exactly what was expected with a slew of Dio classics.

Closing out the afternoon was Steven Adler’s All Star Band, featuring Marten Andersson (LizzyBorden, Steelheart), Ira Black (I Am Morbid, Metal Church, Lizzy Borden), Robert Crane (Black Star Riders), Mike Dupke (Dee Snider, W.A.S.P.), David “Rock” Feinstein (Elf), Constantine Maroulis (American Idol, Rock of Ages), Tanya O’Callaghan (Dee Snider), Carl Restivo (Tom Morello’s Nightwatchman, Street Sweeper Social Club, Perry Farrell’s Satellite Party, Rihanna), Joe Retta (Dio Disciples, Heaven & Earth), Joey Scott (Lizzy Borden), Patrick Stone (Budderside), Michael Thomas (Faster Pussycat), and Ricky Warwick (Black Star Riders, Thin Lizzy, The Almighty) with that jaw dropping line up, I will simply say that it was a joy and a pleasure. Well done Mr. Adler, no crazy lighting, no sophisticated pyrotechnics show, no massive arena of chanting fans. Just the hot afternoon sun, a powerful PA, and talented players. Rock n Roll lives on, and you had an army of fans there marching in time with the beat of your drums.  The day turned out to be an absolute success with over $50,000 raised for the Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund.

The Dio Cancer Fund has been actively backing the research of Dr. David Wong, who has developed a simple, non-invasive saliva swab test that helps with the early detection of specific cancers. The test, called a liquid biopsy, is expected to be available for medical use around the world within the next three years. (*2)  Since the Dio Cancer Fund was founded in 2010, they have raised over $2 million dollars.

Timmy D / BackStage360

Source 1-Wikipedia

Source 2-diocancerfund.org