Μόλις το είδα. Οι εντυπώσεις του Eddie απο το τριήμερο που έζησε στο LA
[I]Back from L.A. and Dio Memorial
6/1/10: Just back from L A and the Dio memorial and funeral. Friday was the private viewing, Saturday was the private funeral and Sunday the public memorial I had the honor to host. So many amazing performances and speaches at all in tribute to the great Ronnie James Dio. It was great to see and connect with so many again, but obviously we all wish it was under better circumstances. Wendy Dio and her team did everything so classy and respectful, fitting for a man like Ronnie.
So many friends and family gathered at the various events over the weekend. Spent time with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, Oni Logan, Rudy Sarzo, Doug Aldrich, Craig Goldy, Frankie Banali, Claude Schnell, Scott Warren, Vinny Appice, Glenn Hughes, Simon Wright, Rob Halford, Joey Belladonna and so many others. The public event Sunday was a tremendous honor to host. Thousands of fans, friends and family showed up at Forest Lawn for a final goodbye to Ronnie. It was a celebration that featured video, live performance and great stories about RJD. The event lasted over 4 hours and the overflow crowd watched it on video screens in the parking lot. Shirts were sold for the new Dio Stand Up & Shout Cancer Foundation, all proceeds going to raise money to help the less fortunate get screenings.
Ronnie’s doctor spoke about how important it is to get checked, something if Dio was more open to he would have caught earlier and maybe survived. It was so sad, but also a celebration of his amazing life.
My duty was to MC the entire event and set up speakers, video segments and live performances. Nothing scripted, all from the heart and we traced his entire life. There is tons of footage on Youtube already. Since I was busy hosting I could not take photos, so if you were there and have some for my site please send. Although this was something we all wish we didn’t have to do, it could not have gone better in many ways. I wanted to create a more celebratory event for the fan memorial and it was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster but we all did the best we could. Some friends with me said it was my finest moment, and if that was the case I am proud it was for Ronnie, who truly deserved all the love coming his way from so many.
It was also announced that charity shows are in the works for his foundation. Dio will be missed for sure, but his music and spirit truly will go on forever. Also want to note that the crowd was amazing and respectful. Every person had a chance to approach the casket and was so respectful. Metal crowds always get crap and stereotyped, but there were a ton of people there, nothing was damaged, no trash at the cemetary, just a great job by those that came out. I can’t thank you all enough for your support for me. It was a tough weekend, but you guys were amazing.
Also just a quick note about the “protesters”. Its so sad some news outlets like CNN gave this small handful of people coverage on their news scroll, even having it run yesterday when the event was over. They were such a non factor. Maybe a half dozen lunatics with signs and protests that didn’t even make sense a mile away. It was a total non story that some thought was a story. Just people needing attention. So much more on this on the radio shows this coming weekend. It was an honor to be at and I thank Wendy and the Dio family for giving me the opportunity to be a part of it. Ronnie may be laid to rest, but he will never be forgotten! Much more to come. RIP RJD. [/I]
