DIO DISCIPLES Recruits SHOK PARIS Bassist For Ohio Show

SHOK PARIS bass player Ed Stephens filled in for Rudy Sarzo at the DIO DISCIPLES show on October 2 at Ripper Owens Tap House in Akron, Ohio. Sarzo traveled home to Los Angeles following the band's September 29 concert in Chicago for a previous commitment with another band and was not able to perform with DIO DISCIPLES at the Akron gig.

DIO DISCIPLES is the new project featuring former DIO members Simon Wright (drums),Craig Goldy (guitar),Scott Warren (keyboards) and Rudy Sarzo alongside singers Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) and Toby Jepson (FASTWAY, LITTLE ANGELS, GUN). The band pays tribute to the legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio and is fully supported by Dio's widow/manager, Wendy, who recently posted that "there will never be another Ronnie, but we want to keep his music alive and hope you will support the band and become one of the DIO DISCIPLES."

The Akron show at Ripper Owens Tap House was originally not scheduled on the tour itinerary and announced only a few days earlier following DIO DISCIPLES' September 28 Cleveland date at House Of Blues. Ticket sales were limited to 150 and quickly sold out. This special show offered fans the chance to see and meet the band in a small intimate setting.

"Playing with the DIO DISCIPLES was a really great time," says Stephens. "It was a great honor to be able to be a part of, if even for one night, this very special project that is celebrating the music of Ronnie James Dio. His music and his message had a big impact on my life, and apparently still does. The band was very cool and I got a great vibe right away. That was important to me because I was nervous as hell!

"I got the call from Tim "Ripper" Owens about an additional show at his Tap House restaurant and bar. Rudy Sarzo had a prior commitment and he wondered if I would be able to fill in for him. I was not allowed to say anything to anyone, not even my closest friends.

"I've worked with Tim in the past on a CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED tour and BEYOND FEAR shows in Mexico. He knew that I could learn the songs quickly. I had less than two weeks to get the CHARRED stuff together. I had about the same amount of time to learn this set. Even though I was already familiar with the material, DISCIPLES has different endings, extended sections, and some different arrangements than the original versions of these songs. They took a few songs out of their regular set and we practiced on the bus for the first time together the afternoon of the show.

The cool and best part of the night were the fans accepting me filling in for Rudy. I felt bad Rudy could not be there, too. He's always been one of my heroes. I hope to meet him one day and thank him for letting me use his bass rig. That thing sounded amazing!

"Sunday night's show was awesome," adds Ripper Owens Tap House co-owner Randy Arehart. "For the people that witnessed the DIO DISCIPLES in a venue like this, I know this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. To have Ronnie James Dio's band here, most of his crew and his longtime personal assistant Steve [Mignardi] created an atmosphere of 'Long Live Rock 'N' Roll' and 'Long Live Ronnie James Dio.' We are blessed."

DIO DISCIPLES' setlist for the Akron show:

01. Stand Up And Shout
02. Holy Diver
03. Don't Talk To Strangers
04. Egypt (The Chains Are On)
05. Catch The Rainbow
06. Stargazer
07. The Last In Line
08. Long Live Rock 'N' Roll
09. Man On The Silver Mountain
10. Heaven And Hell

Encore:

11. Rainbow In The Dark
12. We Rock