The annual Rock For Ronnie Concert in the Park, held on May 31st at the Autry Museum of the American West in Griffith Park, has brought in over $125,000 for the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund. Crowd favorite Lita Ford, popular tribute band Led Zepagain, the new lineup of Dio Disciples, southern rock band Jason Charles Miller, British hard rock band Legs Diamond, the all-female tribute to AC/DC Whole Lotta Rosies, Los Angeles-based up and comers Saints of Sinners and the signature All-Star Jam comprised the day of non-stop music. The event was hosted by radio and television personality Eddie Trunk, who is heard on SiriusXM’s 103 Faction Talk channel.
Cancer researchers Irene Choi and Neeti Swarup from Dr. David Wong’s lab at the UCLA School of Dentistry accepted a check for $25,000 to advance their ongoing research to develop a simple, non-invasive saliva swab test for early cancer detection. Because cancer fingerprints are seven times more prevalent in saliva than in blood, this research is crucial to early cancer diagnoses, a major priority for the Dio Cancer Fund.
Local newcomers Saints of Sinners, who count Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler and his wife and manager Gloria Butler among their supporters, kicked off the afternoon of music. They were followed by the all-female tribute to AC/DC Whole Lotta Rosies and veteran British band Legs Diamond, who delivered their brand of hard rock.
Returning to Rock For Ronnie by popular demand for the fourth consecutive year was southern rocker Jason Charles Miller with his band, comprising Allie Kay and Gary Joseph Potter Jr. on guitars; Zach Andrews on bass and drummer Nick Mason.
Dio Disciples inaugurated most of its new lineup with singers Oni Logan and Robin McAuley alternating lead vocals, backed by Rowan Robertson on guitar, Scott Warren on keyboards and Bjorn Englen in bass. Veteran drummer Brian Tichy filled in for Disciples’ drummer Simon Wright, who is currently recovering from surgery.
Popular Led Zeppelin tribute band Led Zepagain, who last year joined the All-Star Jam, returned to perform a full set to the packed crowd.
A spirited live auction preceded Lita Ford’s headline set in which signed one-of-a-kind guitars donated by George Thorogood, Geezer Butler and Lita herself were auctioned off. George Thorogood donated an Epiphone Les Paul while Geezer Butler donated a Lakland bass. Lita Ford once again asked PBS “Guitar Builder to the Stars” Jim Cara, who has designed custom guitars for her, to create a special one-of-a-kind guitar for the occasion, this one featuring the artwork from Dio’s Holy Diver album.
Following her high energy set, backed by her band comprising Patrick Kennison on guitar, Marten Andersson on bass and drummer Bobby Rock, Wendy Dio presented Lita Ford with the Dio Cancer Fund’s Queen of Rock ‘N Roll award in honor of her continued commitment and support of the charity.
Closing out the afternoon of music was the now-traditional All-Star Jam, this year featuring Vinny Appice (Dio, Black Sabbath), Robbie Crane (Warrant, Black Star Riders), Phil Demmel (Kerry King, Machine Head), Mike Dupke (Wednesday 13), Marc Ferrari (Keel, Cold Sweat), Shani Kamelman (Iron Maidens), Ari Kamen (Steven Adler Band), Julia Lage (Vixen), Mike Mangin (The Cult), Chad McMurray (RivetSkull), Keith Nelson (Buckcherry), Michael Nelson (Ricky Warwick), Marty O’Brien (Daughtry), Kirsten Rosenberg (The Iron Maidens), Robert Sarzo (Hurricane), Neil Turbin (Death Star Riders, Anthrax), Ricky Warwick (Thin Lizzy, Black Star Riders), Victor Wichmann (Metalachi) and musician and sponsor Bill McBride.
The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund was founded in memory of the late singer. A privately funded 501(c)(3) public charity, the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund has already raised over $2 million since its inception. Monies raised have been committed to the cancer research work of the T. J. Martell Foundation for Cancer, AIDS and Leukemia Research, the gastric cancer research unit of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where Ronnie was treated for gastric cancer during the last six months of his life, and other cancer research projects. Since 2016, the Dio Cancer Fund has committed funds to support the research of Dr. David Wong and his team at the UCLA School of Dentistry in developing a simple, non-invasive saliva test for the early detection of cancer.
100% of the net proceeds from the Rock For Ronnie will go to the Dio Cancer Fund, which is now in its 16th year of raising awareness and much-needed funding for cancer prevention, education and research for a cure.
The organization also hosts the annual Bowl for Ronnie Celebrity Bowling Party, which will be held on November 12th, 2026.
Save the date for next year’s Rock for Ronnie: May 23rd, 2027.
[Pictured above: Eddie Trunk, Dio Cancer Fund Medical Director Dr. Sandy Kapoor, Dio Cancer Fund Founder/President Wendy Dio, Irene Choi and Neeti Swarup of the UCLA School of Dentistry (Photo by Gene Kirkland)]
[Pictured embed: Lita Ford with Darren Cowan, the high bidder for the Jim Cara-designed Holy Diver guitar that she played during her Rock For Ronnie set. (Photo by Gene Kirkland)]