Former DIO Keyboardist CLAUDE SCHNELL Remembers RONNIE JAMES DIO

The Music Legends web site has posted an "epitaph" written for legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW) by former DIO keyboardist Claude Schnell. The dedication originally appeared in the book "Ronnie James Dio - A Photographic Memoir", which came out last November via Rufus Stone Limited Editions.

"With the dawn of the new day on May 16, 2010 came the end of an era. When Ronnie left us in the early hours of that morning, he took with him a presence that will never be replaced," Schnell writes. "But in the wake of this tragedy, when the fog of overwhelming sadness slowly began to lift and give way to the first glimpses of lucidity, it became clear that the gifts this giant of a man had left behind were enough to fill several lifetimes. This was a man who pursued, and I might add achieved, excellence in every arena he traversed. This was never more apparent than when he would sing. And sing he did, with his voice propelling each and every note he ever sang to the zenith of vocal performance. His voice was the stuff of legend, as were his skills as a writer, a musician, and a producer. But he was also a man of intensity, character, and wisdom. A man whose generosity of spirit knew no limits. And this was never more apparent than in his relationships. Anyone who had the good fortune to know Ronnie knows this to be true.

"I, for one, know this to be true. Having played with Ronnie has left me with memories and lessons that will last a lifetime. For that, I am and always will be grateful. But I am truly humbled by the knowledge that Ronnie counted me amongst his friends. The imprint of that friendship will continue to affect me every single day, for the rest of my life.

"Farewell, my friend, you will be missed in more ways than you know."

Ronnie James Dio was one of rock's most respected and talented frontmen, renowned for his instantly recognizable vocals, lyrics and stagecraft. On May 16, 2010, Ronnie succumbed to cancer and the world of hard rock lost one of its greatest talents.

Renowned music photographer PG Brunelli traveled the world with Ronnie from 1983, photographing him onstage, backstage, at home and in the recording studio. This special, large-format hardback book takes the best of PG's photography and weaves a memoir of Ronnie's life starting onstage at Donington Monsters of Rock in 1983. Featuring unique written contributions from Bruce Dickinson (IRON MAIDEN),Rob Halford (JUDAS PRIEST),Doug Aldrich (DIO, WHITESNAKE) and many of Ronnie's peers, colleagues and fellow professionals, this book has been compiled with the knowledge and approval of Dio's wife/manager, Wendy.

Available in two limited-edition versions, starting at just £40 (plus postage and handling),"Ronnie James Dio - A Photographic Memoir" features unique written contributions and dedications from:

* Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH)
* Claude Schnell (DIO)
* Ann Boleyn (HELLION)
* Rob Halford (JUDAS PRIEST)
* Joey Belladonna (ANTHRAX)
* Doogie White (RAINBOW, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN)
* Don Dokken (DOKKEN)
* Stuart Galbraith
* Klaus Meine (SCORPIONS)
* Andy Copping
* Enid Williams (GIRLSCHOOL)
* Denise Dufort (GIRLSCHOOL)
* Bruce Dickinson (IRON MAIDEN)
* Jeff Pilson (DOKKEN, DIO, FOREIGNER)
* Doro Pesch (WARLOCK)
* Ron Keel (KEEL)
* Rowan Robertson (DIO)
* Bernie Marsden (WHITESNAKE)
* Bob Catley (MAGNUM)
* Doug Aldrich (DIO, WHITESNAKE)

You can secure your standard or hardkase version (£150 plus postage and handling). £10 from the sale of the standard version and £30 from the sale of the hardkase edition will be donated to the Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund, in honor of Ronnie James Dio.