Despite the continuous threat of rain, the 3rd Annual Ride For Ronnie Motorcycle Rally and Concert, held on Sunday, May 7th,attracted motorcycle enthusiasts and rock music fans alike and raised $40,000 for the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund. Dio Cancer Fund co-founder and president Wendy Dio led the procession of some 200 motorcycle riders for the morning RIDE from Harley-Davidson of Glendale to Los Encinos Park in Encino. She was joined by Sons of Anarchy actors Emilio Rivera (and also star of the forthcoming Mayans MC series), Sean McNabb (who also performed with Lynch Mob at the concert) and Star Fields, as well as actors Al Coronel (The Last Ship) and Chris Bruno (The Dead Zone) and musicians Lita Ford, former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke, who claimed to be on the oldest bike in the RIDE and Xavier Muriel (Buckcherry) plus Dio Cancer Fund Medical Director Dr. Sandy Kapoor and KLOS Radio “Horns Up” show personality Stew Herrera.
The afternoon of live music following the ride, hosted by radio and television personality Eddie Trunk,was kicked off by the trio of rockin’ schoolteachers known as No Small Children. Performances by Sonia Harley, The Loveless, Eddie Money and Rough Cutt followed. Rough Cutt concluded its set with a performance of Stars, the song released in 1986 by Hear ‘N Aid, an organization spearheaded by the original Dio band to raise money for famine relief in Africa. Rough Cutt members Paul Shortino, Dave Alford, Amir Derakh, Chris Hager, and Matt Thorne were joined on stage by Lita Ford, Ronnie James Dio’s cousin David “Rock” Feinstein, Brittany Denaro (Vixen), Patrick Stone (Budderside), Sean McNabb (Lynch Mob), Joe Retta, Bjorn Englen and Scott Warren of Dio Disciples, Ace Von Johnson (Faster Pussycat) and legendary guitarist Randy Rhoads’ brother Kelle Rhoads for the song.
Next up, Steven Adler and Friends took to the stage for an all-star jam featuring the Guns N’ Roses drummer along with Mike Devin (Whitesnake), Lita Ford, Robert Sarzo (Hurricane), Alex Grossi (Quiet Riot), Patrick Stone (Budderside) and Jeff Pilson (Foreigner and former Dio guitarist), playing three Guns N’ Roses hits.
Rousing sets by Dio Disciples and headliners LYNCH MOB rounded out the afternoon of music. The threatening skies finally let loose during Lynch Mob’s last song, drenching the audience as they headed out of the park.
A silent auction, raffle and live auction, which included Eddie Money’s stage-worn full-length leather trenchcoat from his 2000 Millennium Tour and a Great White acoustic guitar signed by the band members brought in additional donations during the event.
Wendy Dio and Dr. Sandy Kapoor presented a check for $25,000 to Dr. David Wong of the UCLA School of Dentistry to further his team’s research into the development of a simple, non-invasive saliva test for the early detection of cancer. Dr. Wong told the crowd that the recognized support from the Dio Cancer Fund has already brought his project additional funding.
The family of Randy Rhoads-his sister Kathy Rhoads D’Argenzio and brother Kelle Rhoads-joined Wendy Dio on stage to show their support for the work of the Dio Cancer Fund, presenting the organization with a donation in memory of their late brother.
Photo above: Kelle Rhoads, Wendy Dio, Kathy Rhoads D’Argenzio and Eddie Trunk.
Photo credit: Sharon Weisz