List of Dio members explained

Dio was an American heavy metal band centred around vocalist Ronnie James Dio. Formed in 1982, the group originally consisted of Dio, guitarist Jake E. Lee (replaced by Vivian Campbell for the first active lineup of the band), bassist Jimmy Bain and drummer Vinny Appice. The band's final lineup, active until Dio's death on May 16, 2010, included guitarist Craig Goldy, drummer Simon Wright, keyboardist Scott Warren and bassist Rudy Sarzo.

History

Dio was formed in October 1982 by vocalist Ronnie James Dio and drummer Vinny Appice following their departure from Black Sabbath.[1] For the first lineup, the pair worked with Rough Cutt guitarist Jake E. Lee and former Wild Horses and Rainbow bassist Jimmy Bain for around six weeks, before parting ways with Lee due to stylistic differences.[2] Preferring to work with British musicians, Dio asked Bain for suggestions of a replacement; he recommended Sweet Savage guitarist Vivian Campbell, and Campbell joined the group.[3] Around the release of the band's debut Holy Diver in May 1983, Claude Schnell joined as Dio's first full-time keyboardist.[4] After two more studio albums – The Last in Line and Sacred Heart – as well as live release Intermission, Campbell left the band in March 1986.[5] He was replaced by former Giuffria guitarist Craig Goldy.[6]

Goldy remained for just one new album, Dream Evil, before leaving Dio due to "musical differences" in August 1988.[7] After "hundreds" of submissions from guitarists worldwide, Rowan Robertson was chosen as Goldy's replacement in May 1989.[8] A few months later, Bain and Schnell were replaced by Teddy Cook and Jens Johansson, respectively.[9] In December, Appice also left Dio,[10] with Simon Wright leaving AC/DC to take his place early the next year.[11] The new lineup recorded and released their only album Lock Up the Wolves in 1990.[12] The following January, Dio returned to Black Sabbath.[13]

By November 1992, Dio and Appice had left Black Sabbath for a second time.[14] They reformed Dio and added new guitarist Tracy G and bassist Jeff Pilson early the following year, after initially working with original member Bain.[15] After recording Strange Highways, the group returned to a five-piece with the addition of Scott Warren on keyboards.[16] Pilson remained until the end of the album's tour in late 1994, when he rejoined Dokken, although he contributed to the 1996 release Angry Machines.[15] Larry "Bones" Dennison replaced him for the next tour, which spawned the live release .[17] In February 1997, Appice was replaced for a run of shows by James Kottak, after being hospitalised for pneumonia.[18] He was also next to leave Dio permanently, when he toured with Black Sabbath from June 1998.[19]

Appice was replaced, again, by Simon Wright.[20] The following year, former members Goldy and Bain also returned.[21] [22] Again, Goldy only lasted one album – 2000's Magica – before he was replaced by Doug Aldrich in January 2002.[23] The new guitarist recorded Killing the Dragon, but by early 2003 had left due to "scheduling conflicts" with his other group Whitesnake.[24] Aldrich was originally set to be replaced by Ratt guitarist Warren DeMartini,[25] however he was replaced within a month by the returning Goldy.[26] Bain also left in early 2004.[27] Pilson returned to perform on Master of the Moon, with former Ozzy Osbourne bassist Rudy Sarzo taking over on tour from July.[28] Aldrich would later return to fill in for Goldy on tour in 2005 due to an arm injury,[29] and again in 2009 due to scheduling conflicts with Budgie.[30]

On May 16, 2010, Ronnie James Dio died of stomach cancer, marking the end of his eponymous band.[31] All four other members went on to form Dio Disciples with former Judas Priest frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens in 2011,[32] while original members Appice, Campbell, Bain and Schnell formed Last in Line with former Lynch Mob vocalist Andrew Freeman in 2012.[33]

Members

Official members

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
1982–2010
all releases
Vinny Appice
Jimmy Bain
Jake E. Lee1982guitarnone
Vivian Campbell1982–1986
Claude Schnell1984–1989all Dio releases from The Last in Line (1984) to Dream Evil (1987)
Craig Goldy
Rowan Robertson1989–1991guitarLock Up the Wolves (1990)
Teddy Cook
Jens Johansson
Simon Wright
Tracy G
1993–1999guitar
Jeff Pilson
Scott Warren1993–2010
Jerry Best1995–1996bassnone
Larry "Bones" Dennison1996–1999Inferno: Last in Live (1998)
Chuck Garric1999–2000none
Doug Aldrichguitar
Warren DeMartini2003none
Rudy Sarzo2004–2010bassHoly Diver – Live (2006)

Live substitutes

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsDetails
James Kottak1997 drumsKottak filled in for Vinny Appice during a tour in February 1997, when he was hospitalised for pneumonia.
Bob Daisley1998bassAfter Larry Dennison had to leave a tour early, Daisley took over for Scandinavian shows in late 1998.[34]

Lineups

PeriodMembersReleases
October – November 1982
November 1982 – May 1983
  • Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Vivian Campbell – guitar
  • Jimmy Bain – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Vinny Appice – drums, percussion
May 1983 – March 1986
  • Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals
  • Vivian Campbell – guitar
  • Jimmy Bain – bass, backing vocals
  • Vinny Appice – drums, percussion
  • Claude Schnell – keyboards, piano
March 1986 – August 1988
  • Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals
  • Craig Goldy – guitar
  • Jimmy Bain – bass, backing vocals
  • Vinny Appice – drums, percussion
  • Claude Schnell – keyboards, piano
  • Intermission (1986)
  • Dream Evil (1987)
  • At Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987 (2010)
  • Finding the Sacred Heart: Live in Philly 1986 (2013)
May – September 1989
  • Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals
  • Rowan Robertson – guitar
  • Jimmy Bain – bass, backing vocals
  • Vinny Appice – drums, percussion
  • Claude Schnell – keyboards, piano
rowspan="2"
September – December 1989
  • Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals
  • Rowan Robertson – guitar
  • Teddy Cook – bass, backing vocals
  • Vinny Appice – drums, percussion
  • Jens Johansson – keyboards, piano
January 1990 – January 1991
  • Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals
  • Rowan Robertson – guitar
  • Teddy Cook – bass, backing vocals
  • Simon Wright – drums, percussion
  • Jens Johansson – keyboards, piano
Band inactive January 1991 – November 1992
November 1992 – March 1993
  • Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Jimmy Bain – bass, keyboards, guitar, backing vocals
  • Vinny Appice – drums, percussion
rowspan="2"
March – summer 1993
  • Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Jeff Pilson – bass, keyboards, guitar, backing vocals
  • Vinny Appice – drums, percussion
Summer – November 1993
  • Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Tracy G – guitar
  • Jeff Pilson – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Vinny Appice – drums, percussion
November 1993 – October 1994
  • Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals
  • Tracy G – guitar
  • Jeff Pilson – bass, backing vocals
  • Vinny Appice – drums, percussion
  • Scott Warren – keyboards, piano
August 1995 – May 1996
  • Ronnie James Dio – vocals
  • Tracy G – guitar
  • Jerry Best – bass
  • Vinny Appice – drums, percussion
  • Scott Warren – keyboards, piano
May – summer 1996
  • Ronnie James Dio – vocals, bass
  • Tracy G – guitar
  • Vinny Appice – drums, percussion
  • Scott Warren – keyboards, piano
  • Jeff Pilson – bass
November 1996 – May 1998
  • Ronnie James Dio – vocals
  • Tracy G – guitar
  • Larry Dennison – bass
  • Vinny Appice – drums, percussion
  • Scott Warren – keyboards, piano
  • (1998)
May 1998 – June 1999
  • Ronnie James Dio – vocals
  • Tracy G – guitar
  • Larry Dennison – bass
  • Simon Wright – drums, percussion
  • Scott Warren – keyboards, piano
rowspan="2"
June – September 1999
  • Ronnie James Dio – vocals
  • Craig Goldy – guitar
  • Larry Dennison – bass
  • Simon Wright – drums, percussion
  • Scott Warren – keyboards, piano
September 1999 – January 2002
  • Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Craig Goldy – guitar, keyboards
  • Jimmy Bain – bass, backing vocals
  • Simon Wright – drums, percussion
  • Scott Warren – keyboards, piano
January 2002 – April 2003
  • Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals
  • Doug Aldrich – guitar
  • Jimmy Bain – bass, backing vocals
  • Simon Wright – drums, percussion
  • Scott Warren – keyboards, piano
April – May 2003
  • Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals
  • Warren DeMartini – guitar
  • Jimmy Bain – bass, backing vocals
  • Simon Wright – drums, percussion
  • Scott Warren – keyboards, piano
rowspan="2"
May 2003 – March 2004
  • Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals
  • Craig Goldy – guitar
  • Jimmy Bain – bass, backing vocals
  • Simon Wright – drums, percussion
  • Scott Warren – keyboards, piano
March – July 2004
  • Ronnie James Dio – vocals, bass
  • Craig Goldy – guitar, bass, keyboards
  • Simon Wright – drums, percussion
  • Scott Warren – keyboards, piano
  • Jeff Pilson – bass
July 2004 – May 2010
  • Ronnie James Dio – vocals
  • Craig Goldy – guitar
  • Rudy Sarzo – bass
  • Simon Wright – drums, percussion
  • Scott Warren – keyboards, piano

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Popoff, Martin . Martin Popoff . Black Sabbath FAQ: All That's Left to Know on the First Name in Metal . . 368 . May 1, 2011 . December 8, 2015 .
  2. News: Jake E. Lee Says His Six-Week Stint In Dio Ended Because His Guitar Playing Was Too 'American' . . November 21, 2018 . May 3, 2019 .
  3. Web site: Dio: the acrimonious story behind Holy Diver . Wall . Mick . . July 10, 2016 . May 3, 2019 .
  4. News: Ex-Dio Keyboardist Claude Schnell Once Again Denounces Ronnie James Dio Hologram: 'It Isn't About Ronnie Anymore' . . August 21, 2018 . May 3, 2019 .
  5. Web site: Vivian Campbell: Biography & History . Bonacich . Drago . . . December 8, 2015 .
  6. Web site: Dio: Biography & History . Prato . Greg . . . December 8, 2015 .
  7. Hear & There . Rene . Sheila . The Gavin Report . August 26, 1988 . 1721 . 23 . May 3, 2019 .
  8. Bits & Pieces . The Gavin Report . May 5, 1989 . 1755 . 20 . May 3, 2019 .
  9. News: Ex-Dio Guitarist Rowan Robertson Comments On Ronnie James Dio's Passing . . May 16, 2010 . May 3, 2019 .
  10. News: Vinny Appice Recalls Getting His Ass Burned On Stage With Black Sabbath . . June 9, 2016 . May 3, 2019 .
  11. News: Drummer Simon Wright Talks Ronnie James Dio - "He Was A Massive Part Of My Life" . . December 25, 2018 . May 3, 2019 .
  12. Web site: Lock up the Wolves - Dio: Songs, Reviews, Credits . Erlewine . Stephen Thomas . Stephen Thomas Erlewine . . May 3, 2019 .
  13. Book: McIver, Joel . Joel McIver . The Complete History of Black Sabbath: What Evil Lurks . 15 October 2016 . New York City, New York . . 978-1631062728 . 118 .
  14. Web site: That Time Rob Halford Fronted Black Sabbath For Two Shows . Swanson . Dave . Ultimate Classic Rock . November 14, 2015 . May 3, 2019 .
  15. Web site: Jeff Pilson - Foreigner, War & Peace, ex-Dokken, Dio . Syrjälä . Marko . Metal-Rules.com . February 6, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080211220822/https://www.metal-rules.com/zine/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1194 . February 11, 2008 . May 3, 2019 .
  16. News: Lost '93 Show Reveals "Dio of the Future" . Ruggiero . Bob . . July 22, 2014 . May 3, 2019 .
  17. News: Dio Delivers Decibels On Live Double-Disc . https://web.archive.org/web/20190503203427/http://www.mtv.com/news/350100/dio-delivers-decibels-on-live-double-disc/ . dead . May 3, 2019 . Devenish . Colin . . June 10, 1998 . May 3, 2019 .
  18. Web site: Dio Biography Part 14: February 2nd, February 10th-February 16th, 1997 . dio.net . May 3, 2019 .
  19. News: Sabbath Drummer's Heart Attack Confirmed . https://web.archive.org/web/20190116050049/http://www.mtv.com/news/250219/sabbath-drummers-heart-attack-confirmed/ . dead . January 16, 2019 . . May 26, 1998 . May 3, 2019 .
  20. News: Drummer Simon Wright On AC/DC, Ronnie James Dio And Dio Disciples . . August 17, 2011 . May 3, 2019 .
  21. Web site: 15 Years Ago: Dio Unveils 'Magica' . Rivadavia . Eduardo . Ultimate Classic Rock . March 21, 2015 . May 3, 2019 .
  22. Web site: Magica - Dio: Songs, Reviews, Credits . Adams . Bret . . May 3, 2019 .
  23. News: Dio Part Ways With Goldy, Enlist Aldrich . . January 18, 2002 . May 3, 2019 .
  24. News: Doug Aldrich Confirms Departure From Dio . . May 5, 2003 . May 3, 2019 .
  25. News: Ratt Guitarist Joins Dio! . . April 30, 2003 . May 3, 2019 .
  26. News: Craig Goldy Rejoins Dio! . . May 24, 2003 . May 3, 2019 .
  27. News: It's Official: Jimmy Bain Exits Dio . . March 4, 2004 . May 3, 2019 .
  28. News: Bassist Rudy Sarzo Joins Dio . . April 23, 2004 . May 3, 2019 .
  29. News: Management: Guitarist Doug Aldrich Not Yet A Permanent Member Of Dio . . October 25, 2005 . May 3, 2019 .
  30. News: Doug Aldrich To Fill In For Craig Goldy On Dio's European Tour . . September 11, 2009 . May 3, 2019 .
  31. News: Metal Icon Ronnie James Dio Dead at 67 After Cancer Battle . Harris . Chris . . May 16, 2010 . May 3, 2019 .
  32. News: Former Dio Members To Join Forces With Tim 'Ripper' Owens To Perform As Dio Disciples . . March 18, 2011 . May 3, 2019 .
  33. News: Last In Line Featuring Former Dio Members Sign With Frontiers . . October 17, 2014 . May 3, 2019 .
  34. Web site: Dio Biography Part 19: October 23, 1998-November 11, 1998 . dio.net . May 3, 2019 .