Rocker Ronnie James Dio remembered with bowling fundraiser for cancer awareness and research

As a fervent admirer of Rock ‘n Roll legends, I find myself deeply moved by the story of Wendy Dio and her Stand Up and Shout cancer fundraisers. Having lost my dear mother to breast cancer, I can truly empathize with the pain and determination that drives Wendy to honor her husband Ronnie’s memory while supporting those battling this relentless disease.

For over fifteen years since the passing of legendary heavy metal figure Ronnie James Dio, his wife and companions have persisted in their battle against cancer in his honor.

This coming Thursday, Wendy Dio along with her companions and advocates are planning to host the yearly Bowl for Ronnie celebrity bowling event at the Pinz Bowling Center in Studio City.

Previously, this event has been graced by distinguished figures such as rockers Dave Grohl, Tom Morello, and actor Jack Black, along with many other musicians from the metal and hard rock genre. It is one of two yearly events that support and generate funds for the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, which aims to raise awareness about cancer.

Based on Wendy Dio’s statement, it’s been estimated that the organization has accumulated approximately $2.5 million in total donations throughout its existence. These funds have been directed towards several projects:

At our upcoming bowling tournament, corporate sponsorships for a team of bowlers range between $2,500 and $3,000 (with the price varying based on booking time). A restricted number of fan tickets are also available for approximately $90 each, which includes all necessary fees.

Following over four decades of work in the music industry as a manager, Wendy Dio, who made an appearance in the 1975 cult film “Death Race 2000”, established this fund not too long after her husband of many years passed away from stomach cancer on May 16, 2010, at the age of 67.

After Ronnie’s passing, many people expressed a desire to contribute funds for cancer-related causes, she explains, perched on a bar stool in their former castle-like residence in Encino. “I strongly disapprove of large corporations hoarding money,” she continues, “as it’s often unclear where it ends up. The heavy metal band Iron Maiden donated $10,000 to us, which sparked an idea: why not establish our own cancer fund? That way, we can ensure every penny goes directly towards research and education, rather than getting lost in the system.

Following the establishment of the fund, Wendy Dio managed to garner support from different aspects of Ronnie James Dio’s illustrious career. Besides leading his band Dio from 1982 until 2010, this short singer was recognized for his powerful vocals and being one of the early rockers to popularize the now-famous devil horns hand signal. He also had spells as the frontman for Elf, Rainbow with Ritchie Blackmore, Black Sabbath during Ozzy Osbourne’s solo period, and Heaven & Hell, a group that brought Dio together again with Tony Iommi, the guitarist from Black Sabbath, and Geezer Butler, the bassist.

Not long after their last tour together with Heaven & Hell in 2009, it was discovered that Ronnie Dio had stomach cancer. In the recently released documentary “Dreamers Never Die,” his bandmate Butler mentioned that Ronnie was experiencing difficulties during that tour.

At that moment, he hadn’t realized it was their final performance, but before taking the stage, he often looked as if he were in severe abdominal discomfort.

In the movie, Butler expressed that they, his bandmates, urged Dio to seek medical attention; despite appearing to be fine on stage and continuing to perform, he would experience pain after the concerts.

Prior to the tour, Wendy Dio stated that Ronnie was already experiencing issues with digestion and sought advice from a specialist in Beverly Hills. “They conducted heart tests, made him exercise, and ran various examinations,” she reminisces. Unfortunately, this doctor missed the cancer diagnosis, so Ronnie continued with his career as normal.

Following the conclusion of their last Heaven & Hell tour, Wendy mentioned that Ronnie (Dio) had alternative arrangements. “Ronnie wasn’t keen on taking a break,” she stated, further explaining that he intended to bring his band Dio back for a European tour. In fact, he had already shipped the group’s equipment overseas in anticipation of the upcoming tour.

In the end, Dio’s pain grew unbearable, leading him to consult another physician who recommended a blood test. This test eventually led to his cancer diagnosis. Overwhelmed, Wendy began an extensive search for the top hospitals specializing in stomach cancer treatment. At first, they struggled to arrange admission at the MD Anderson Cancer Research Center, so they opted instead for the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

I remember that doctor telling me, “There’s no treatment for you here. You might as well go home and organize your affairs.” It was devastating. We returned to the hotel, shed tears, and then received a text about an appointment at MD Anderson. Tony Martell of the T.J. Martell Foundation intervened, securing us an appointment at that hospital. (Wendy’s words)

In that location, they discovered a doctor with an upbeat perspective, who pledged to take all necessary steps to aid Dio in overcoming cancer.

Following his medical care, Ronnie’s health started showing signs of recovery. He returned to Los Angeles, receiving recognition as the Best Metal Singer at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards. However, several weeks after that, his health deteriorated once more. He was admitted to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank and administered morphine for his discomfort. Subsequently, he slipped into a coma and passed away a few weeks later.

After Dio’s passing, Wendy continued on for several weeks and months. However, five months later, Davy Kirkwood – an audio engineer who was among the pallbearers at Dio’s funeral – also passed away.

According to Wendy, she found herself utterly overwhelmed, as if a mountain of stress had suddenly collapsed upon her. In that moment, she felt a strong compulsion to act, which led to the formation of the cancer fund.

Notably, Lita Ford – a celebrated singer and guitarist – has been among those lending their support to past Stand Up and Shout fundraising events. For her, this cause is deeply significant as she was both a fan and a close friend of Ronnie.

She expresses her longing for Ronnie during a phone conversation from her home close to Phoenix. “There simply isn’t anyone else like him in the music world,” she says. Almost daily, she listens to his songs, both before performances and as they prepare to take the stage. Occasionally, they’ll play one of her favorites, ‘Stargazer,’ by Rainbow. If a singer can’t perform Ronnie’s tunes, they haven’t properly warmed up yet.

Ford too lost both her parents to cancer. Her mother passed away from breast cancer and her father suffered from brain cancer. She recalls her father’s sudden decline while fishing, saying he was gone the next instant, reflecting how swiftly the disease progressed. Regarding her mother, she remembers a time when her mother questioned why she had cancer, but Ford couldn’t provide an answer because she didn’t know.

Despite Ford’s history of attending the bowling tournament, she won’t be able to make it this time around because she has a concert date scheduled in Cincinnati instead. She looks back fondly on her past experiences at events like Stand Up and Shout, including last year’s Rock for Ronnie concert at Warner Park in Woodland Hills, where she played and auctioned off a specially made guitar for charity. In 2025, the annual Rock for Ronnie concert will move to a new location on the grounds of the Autry Museum in Griffith Park.

This event, including this year’s bowling party and various Stand Up and Shout fundraisers, has Eddie Trunk as the host – a well-known TV/radio personality who formed a bond with Dio through numerous interviews over the years. Trunk was deeply affected by Dio’s passing, just like many others. When Wendy Dio shared her plans to establish a cancer support fund, Trunk promised to lend any assistance he could.

Similar to Ford, Trunk’s family has faced a cancer challenge, but their story ends positively. Thanks to regular screening and early detection, Trunk’s father was successfully treated for colon cancer in its initial stages and is now cancer-free. “Because of my own experience and the fact that I have a family history with this disease,” he says, “I get screened every three years using colonoscopies. This is a topic I often discuss on the radio – emphasizing the significance of regular screenings.

Apart from expressing gratitude, Trunk acknowledges that Wendy Dio’s charity events in honor of Ronnie are wonderful. He appreciates the fact that they not only raise funds but also celebrate Ronnie. Moreover, he finds it heartwarming that these events foster a community of Dio friends and fans, uniting everyone under the shared memories of Ronnie. In a sentimental way, he mentions that during these gatherings, Ronnie seems to reappear among them as they all celebrate him and reminisce about their times with him.

Just to clarify for those who might see it as mere fun, Trunk, who competes in the tournament too, notes that some participants treat the bowling event with great seriousness.

Among his fellow team members is Tom Morello, renowned guitarist from Rage Against the Machine, who just so happened to be a guest during Trunk’s radio program when I had my conversation with him.

Trunk praises Tom as a reliable teammate, stating that he’s essential for their team every season. He often expresses enthusiasm about improving their performance, saying things like ‘This year, we need to recruit professionals, bring in some all-stars, and make this our winning year.’ Trunk continues, ‘He really gets fired up about it,’ while he himself is content if he manages to score 100 points.

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2024-11-13 14:32