Greg Prato of Brave Words spoke with former Dio guitarist Craig Goldy about two new songs he recorded in honor of the singer’s memory. Excerpts from the interview appear below.
BraveWords: I understand there is some new music on the way.
Craig Goldy: “I’m going to be doing my own personal tribute to my mentor, friend, band mate, family member and often father and brother figure’ – Mr. Ronnie James Dio – the most amazing man I have ever known! I mentioned at his public memorial service that when I do some original material next, that I will use what I have learned from working side by side with the master for so many years, in such a way, that I could only hope to make him proud. When Wendy Dio heard the first draft of these two songs, the first thing she said was, ‘Wow, Ronnie would be proud of you!’ And the second thing she said was, ‘Who’s that singing?’ In a later email after listening to the final versions, she said that they made her cry, and called them ‘your beautiful songs’.”
BraveWords: How did the idea come about?
Craig Goldy: “I’ve been wanting to do my own personal tribute to Ronnie for a long time now, I recently got an opportunity to get theses two songs professionally mixed, they came out so well…that it was then that I decided to release these two songs on May 16th, the fourth anniversary of his passing. And in a further attempt to honor him and his memory, for every purchased download a donation to the Stand Up and Shout Cancer Research Foundation will be made, or to the charity or cause of the individual downloader’s choice, in which to honor their lost loved ones in the manner they seem fit. As Ronnie gave to so many different people and causes throughout his whole life and career, this would be one more way in which to honor him. So if they have a preference, they would email me their choice to [email protected], otherwise, if not specified, I’m sure you can guess where the donation will be made. I came from an abusive family – both physically and verbally – in and out of hospitals for quite a lot of my childhood, so I took to the streets at the age of 16 to get away from the abuse. Ronnie was the voice I turned to in my time of need. He was – and still is – my favorite singer, so I listened to him all the time anyway, but I’m hoping that one of these songs can be such for any of his fans that are still hurting inside from missing him as much as I do, and they can turn to one of these when their pain is felt while during the time that missing him hits. If that happens, then this truly would be an honor and tribute to him in full.”
BraveWords: And who is the singer on the two tracks?
Craig Goldy: “The singer – whose identity I’ve been keeping in secret – is Mark Huff, and it’s been causing quite a stir that way. Mark Huff, is currently best known for his time served in Quiet Riot between 2010-2012. Mark underwent emergency brain surgery, and literally came back from the dead, better than ever and with a new perspective on life.
Read more at Brave Words.
source: bravewords.com