COREY TAYLOR: I Don't Think We Will Ever See An End To RONNIE JAMES DIO's Legacy

Corey Taylor recently spoke to Adam Lawton of MediaMikes.com about the SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR frontman's involvement in "This Is Your Life", the tribute to album to legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

MediaMikes.com: What was your first exposure to Dio?

Corey Taylor: I got into Dio when I was still quite young. I remember seeing the video for "Rainbow In The Dark" on MTV. That was my first taste of Dio. It wasn't until years later that I realized he had this whole career with RAINBOW and BLACK SABBATH and even going back to ELF. When I saw that video it instantly became one of my favorite songs. There was just so much power and clarity in Ronnie's voice. It was like he could sing anything. When I went back years later and really explored his catalog I found his voice to be just so vibrant and he really became one of my favorite singers.

MediaMikes.com: Did yours and Ronnie's paths ever cross?

Corey Taylor: They did. I actually met and got to spend time with him shortly before he passed away. We met at the [Revolver] Golden God Awards [in April 2010] as we were both up for best vocalist. I never really root for myself at these things so I was rooting for Ronnie like crazy. I wanted to him to win really badly and he did. I was backstage doing an interview and Ronnie walked up so we in a sense hijacked him into this interview. Ronnie was everything I wanted him to be. He was just so cool and gracious. Even at the end he was fighting. It was really awesome to feel that from him. There was a mutual respect that he didn't have to put out there. I told him I was a big fan and he replied "likewise." That lit me up like the Fourth of July. It was very cool. I had seen him perform live a handful of times but to get to meet him like that meant the world to me. I was just crushed when he passed.

MediaMikes.com: What do you feel is the biggest factor in Ronnie's ongoing appeal?

Corey Taylor: I think it's a lot of different things. He was so good at fitting in with whoever he was playing with. He had his own style, but I think he was able to elevate the music to another level. Ronnie's material has a natural life to it, which is something a lot of music from that same time period is missing. Not to say that some of those bands aren't great, but Ronnie had this consistency to take things to that next level and put it over. I think that's why people keep coming back and rediscovering Ronnie's work. I don't think we will ever see an end to his legacy.

Read the entire interview at MediaMikes.com.

"Rainbow In The Dark" (featuring Corey Taylor) studio version:

"Rainbow In The Dark" (featuring Corey Taylor) live performance: