List of Dio members

The final lineup of Dio, from left to right: Rudy Sarzo, Craig Goldy, Ronnie James Dio, Scott Warren and Simon Wright.

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 Inferno: Last in Live.[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

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Ronnie-James-Dio Heaven-N-Hell 2009-06-11 Chicago Photoby Adam-Bielawski (cropped).jpg
 Ronnie James Dio (Ronald James Padavona) 1982–2010
(until his death)
  • vocals
  • keyboards
  • bass
 all releases
Heaven and Hell 29 (cropped).jpg
 Vinny Appice
  • 1982–1989
  • 1992–1998
  • drums
  • percussion
  • all Dio releases from Holy Diver (1983) to Dream Evil (1987)
  • Strange Highways (1993 Europe/Japan, 1994 US/Canada)
  • Angry Machines (1996)
  • Inferno: Last in Live (1998)
Jimmy Bain.jpg
 Jimmy Bain
  • 1982–1989
  • 1992–1993
  • 1999–2004
    (died 2016)
  • bass
  • keyboards
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
  • all Dio releases from Holy Diver (1983) to Dream Evil (1987)
  • Magica (2000)
  • Killing the Dragon (2002)
  • Evil or Divine – Live in New York City (2003)
Jake E. Lee in 2014.jpg
 Jake E. Lee 1982 guitar none
DefLepRAH250318-64 (-1945916867) (Cropped).jpg
 Vivian Campbell 1982–1986
  • all Dio releases from Holy Diver (1983) to Intermission (1986)
  • At Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987 (2010)
Claude-Schnell-NAMM-2012.webp
 Claude Schnell 1983–1989
  • keyboards
  • piano
Dio Disciples Craig Goldy (38005464).jpeg
 Craig Goldy
  • 1986–1988
  • 1999–2002
  • 2003–2010
  • guitar
  • keyboards
  • bass
RowanRobertson.tif
 Rowan Robertson 1989–1991 guitar Lock Up the Wolves (1990)
Teddy Cook
  • bass
  • backing vocals
Jens Johansson - Ilosaarirock 2009.jpg
 Jens Johansson
  • keyboards
  • piano
Acdc simon wright (cropped).jpg
 Simon Wright
  • 1990–1991
  • 1998–2010
  • drums
  • percussion
Lock Up the Wolves (1990)
Tracy G
(Tracy Grijalva) 		1993–1999 guitar
  • Strange Highways (1993 Europe/Japan, 1994 US/Canada)
  • Angry Machines (1996)
  • Inferno: Last in Live (1998)
  • Live in London, Hammersmith Apollo 1993 (2014)
2016 Lieder am See - Foreigner - Jeff Pilson - by 2eight - 8SC2570.jpg
 Jeff Pilson
  • 1993–1994
  • 1996 (session)
  • 1997 (touring)
  • 2004 (session)
  • bass
  • keyboards
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
  • Strange Highways (1993 Europe/Japan, 1994 US/Canada)
  • Angry Machines (1996)
  • Master of the Moon (2004)
  • Live in London, Hammersmith Apollo 1993 (2014)
Scott Warren.jpg
 Scott Warren 1993–2010
  • keyboards
  • piano
  • Angry Machines (1996)
  • Inferno: Last in Live (1998)
  • Killing the Dragon (2002) – "Before the Fall" only
  • Evil or Divine – Live in New York City (2003)
  • Master of the Moon (2004)
  • Holy Diver – Live (2006)
Jerry Best 1995–1996 bass none
Larry "Bones" Dennison 1996–1999 Inferno: Last in Live (1998)
AliceCooperO2 250522 (10 of 133) (52101313694).jpg
 Chuck Garric 1999–2000[34] none
The Dead Daisies - Hamburg Harley Days 2017 24 (cropped).jpg
 Doug Aldrich
  • 2002–2003
  • 2005 (touring)
  • 2009 (touring)
 guitar
  • Killing the Dragon (2002)
  • Evil or Divine – Live in New York City (2003)
  • Holy Diver – Live (2006)
Ratt Rams head Live 2010 "Warren DeMartini" " Ratt" (4586600070).jpg
 Warren DeMartini 2003 none
RudySarzo.jpg
 Rudy Sarzo 2004–2010 bass Holy Diver – Live (2006)

Live substitutes

Image Name Years active Instruments Details
Scorpions_-_04.jpg
 James Kottak 1997 (died 2024) drums Kottak filled in for Vinny Appice during a tour in February 1997, when he was hospitalised for pneumonia.[18]
Bob Daisley 1998 bass After Larry Dennison had to leave a tour early, Daisley took over for Scandinavian shows in late 1998.[35]

Timeline

Lineups

Period Members Releases
October – November 1982 none
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) – studio track
  • 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
 none
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
 none
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
 none
May – summer 1996
  • Ronnie James Dio – vocals, bass
  • Tracy G – guitar
  • Vinny Appice – drums, percussion
  • Scott Warren – keyboards, piano
  • Jeff Pilson – bass (session)
November 1996 – May 1998
  • Ronnie James Dio – vocals
  • Tracy G – guitar
  • Larry Dennison – bass
  • Vinny Appice – drums, percussion
  • Scott Warren – keyboards, piano
May 1998 – June 1999
  • Ronnie James Dio – vocals
  • Tracy G – guitar
  • Larry Dennison – bass
  • Simon Wright – drums, percussion
  • Scott Warren – keyboards, piano
 none
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
 none
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 (session)
July 2004 – May 2010
  • Ronnie James Dio – vocals
  • Craig Goldy – guitar
  • Rudy Sarzo – bass
  • Simon Wright – drums, percussion
  • Scott Warren – keyboards, piano

References

  1. ^ Popoff, Martin (May 1, 2011). Black Sabbath FAQ: All That's Left to Know on the First Name in Metal. Backbeat Books. p. 368. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  2. ^ "Jake E. Lee Says His Six-Week Stint In Dio Ended Because His Guitar Playing Was Too 'American'". Blabbermouth.net. November 21, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  3. ^ Wall, Mick (July 10, 2016). "Dio: the acrimonious story behind Holy Diver". Classic Rock. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  4. ^ "Ex-Dio Keyboardist Claude Schnell Once Again Denounces Ronnie James Dio Hologram: 'It Isn't About Ronnie Anymore'". Blabbermouth.net. August 21, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  5. ^ Bonacich, Drago. "Vivian Campbell: Biography & History". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  6. ^ Prato, Greg. "Dio: Biography & History". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  7. ^ Rene, Sheila (August 26, 1988). "Hear & There" (PDF). The Gavin Report. No. 1721. p. 23. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  8. ^ "Bits & Pieces" (PDF). The Gavin Report. No. 1755. May 5, 1989. p. 20. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  9. ^ "Ex-Dio Guitarist Rowan Robertson Comments On Ronnie James Dio's Passing". Blabbermouth.net. May 16, 2010. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  10. ^ "Vinny Appice Recalls Getting His Ass Burned On Stage With Black Sabbath". Blabbermouth.net. June 9, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  11. ^ "Drummer Simon Wright Talks Ronnie James Dio - "He Was A Massive Part Of My Life"". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. December 25, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  12. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Lock up the Wolves - Dio: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  13. ^ McIver, Joel (October 15, 2016). The Complete History of Black Sabbath: What Evil Lurks. New York City, New York: Race Point Publishing. p. 118. ISBN 978-1631062728.
  14. ^ Swanson, Dave (November 14, 2015). "That Time Rob Halford Fronted Black Sabbath For Two Shows". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  15. ^ a b Syrjälä, Marko (February 6, 2008). "Jeff Pilson - Foreigner, War & Peace, ex-Dokken, Dio". Metal-Rules.com. Archived from the original on February 11, 2008. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  16. ^ Ruggiero, Bob (July 22, 2014). "Lost '93 Show Reveals "Dio of the Future"". Houston Press. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  17. ^ Devenish, Colin (June 10, 1998). "Dio Delivers Decibels On Live Double-Disc". MTV. Archived from the original on May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  18. ^ a b "Dio Biography Part 14: February 2nd, February 10th-February 16th, 1997". dio.net. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  19. ^ "Sabbath Drummer's Heart Attack Confirmed". MTV. May 26, 1998. Archived from the original on January 16, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  20. ^ "Drummer Simon Wright On AC/DC, Ronnie James Dio And Dio Disciples". Blabbermouth.net. August 17, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  21. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo (March 21, 2015). "15 Years Ago: Dio Unveils 'Magica'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  22. ^ Adams, Bret. "Magica - Dio: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  23. ^ "Dio Part Ways With Goldy, Enlist Aldrich". Blabbermouth.net. January 18, 2002. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  24. ^ "Doug Aldrich Confirms Departure From Dio". Blabbermouth.net. May 5, 2003. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  25. ^ "Ratt Guitarist Joins Dio!". Blabbermouth.net. April 30, 2003. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  26. ^ "Craig Goldy Rejoins Dio!". Blabbermouth.net. May 24, 2003. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  27. ^ "It's Official: Jimmy Bain Exits Dio". Blabbermouth.net. March 4, 2004. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  28. ^ "Bassist Rudy Sarzo Joins Dio". Blabbermouth.net. April 23, 2004. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  29. ^ "Management: Guitarist Doug Aldrich Not Yet A Permanent Member Of Dio". Blabbermouth.net. October 25, 2005. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  30. ^ "Doug Aldrich To Fill In For Craig Goldy On Dio's European Tour". Blabbermouth.net. September 11, 2009. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  31. ^ Harris, Chris (May 16, 2010). "Metal Icon Ronnie James Dio Dead at 67 After Cancer Battle". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  32. ^ "Former Dio Members To Join Forces With Tim 'Ripper' Owens To Perform As Dio Disciples". Blabbermouth.net. March 18, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  33. ^ "Last In Line Featuring Former Dio Members Sign With Frontiers". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. October 17, 2014. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  34. ^ "CHUCK GARRIC: Playing With RONNIE JAMES DIO Launched My Whole Career". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. May 20, 2010. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  35. ^ "Dio Biography Part 19: October 23, 1998-November 11, 1998". dio.net. Retrieved May 3, 2019.