Tim “Ripper” Owens and Dio Band Members Lead Dio Disciples

One year ago this week, heavy metal legend Ronnie James Dio succumbed to his battle with cancer. Almost immediately, the rock world responded with tributes and benefit projects. Now, some of those closest to the late Rainbow/Black Sabbath/Heaven & Hell singer are carrying the torch of his music with a new project called Dio Disciples.

The group is composed of former Dio members Craig Goldy, Simon Wright and Scott Warren, as well as former Megadeth/Black Label Society bassist James Lomenzo, former Judas Priest singer Tim “Ripper” Owens and Little Angels/Gun singer Toby Jepson.

The group will embark on a European tour on June 8 to be followed by an American tour in September (no dates yet announced). The last four dates of the European tour will feature German metal queen Doro Pesch filling in for Owens, who will attend his daughter’s wedding instead, according to Blabbermouth.

Wendy Dio, the singer’s widow and manager, commented, “There will never be another Ronnie, but we want to keep his music alive and hope you will support the band and become one of the Dio Disciples.”

Dio Disciples European Tour Dates:

June 08 - Moscow, Russia - A2 Club
June 09 - St. Petersburg, Russia - Kosmonayt
June 10 - Tampere, Finland - Sauna Open Air
June 11 - East Midlands, UK - Download Festival
June 12 - Newcastle, UK - Academy
June 14 - Glasgow, Scotland - Garage
June 15 - Wolverhampton, UK - Sleigh Rooms
June 16 - Manchester, UK - Academy 2
June 17 - London, UK - Islington Academy
June 19 - Uden, Netherlands - De Pul
June 20 - Aschafensburg, Germany - Colos Saal
June 21 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
June 22 - Berlin, Germany - C Club
June 24 - Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Metal Meeting
June 25 - Bochum, Germany - Matrix
June 27 - Vienna, Austria - Szene Wien
June 28 - Lucerne, Switzerland - Konzerthaus Schuur
June 29 - Milan, Italy - Magazzini Generali
July 01 – Bilbao, Spain - Rockstar Live
July 02 - Madrid, Spain - Heineken
July 03 - Barcelona, Spain – Bikini

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Brotherly Love: Kings of Leon Members Have Tried to Stab Each Other

Stephen Mitchell considers himself Kings of Leon’s #1 fan. As such, he’s been filming the band for a decade, steadily putting together footage for the upcoming documentary Talihina Sky – about to make its debut at the Tribeca Film Festival. The director recently spoke to Spinner.com about the members’ sometimes violent relationship (three of them are brothers, after all).

“[Nathan and Caleb Followill] have notoriously gone at each other over the years,” he said. “They’ve had knockout – I mean broken shoulders, pulled hair, trying to stab each other. Those two are like twins almost. They’re so close but they’re too close, if that makes sense.”

The movie follows the Kings from their first show in a garage to playing to enormous crowds at giant festivals, following the release of their 2008 breakthrough Only by the Night. Since Mitchell has been to so many of the band’s shows, which one does he think was the best?

“The best show ever was 2008 at Oxygen, just outside of Dublin – Irish people just get [expletive] nuts,” he said. “They’re bonkers! They get so drunk. They sing every word, every background vocal part. They sing the guitar solo parts and they’re going [expletive] nuts!

“The dudes get so fired up with joy, they’re not even mad and they’re punching each other in the face. It’s awesome.”

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