Former VAN HALEN Bassist: DIO Was 'Definitely A Driving Force In Hard Rock Music'

May 18, 2010

Ex-VAN HALEN and current CHICKENFOOT bassist Michael Anthony spoke to The Pulse of Radio and Billboard.com about the influence and legacy of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio, who passed away this past Sunday, May 16 after a six-month battle with stomach cancer.

[Courtesy of The Pulse of Radio] "I don't know anybody that didn't grow up listening to his stuff. You know, VAN HALEN, we used to do from the first RAINBOW album, we did 'Man On The Silver Mountain'. I remember one time, the second VAN HALEN tour we were doing some festivals in Europe, and we actually played on the same show as Ronnie's band. Real powerful voice, you know, and definitely a driving force in hard rock music, that guy was."

[Courtesy of Billboard.com] "[Ronnie] was a great guy. I remember when we opened for them, all of us were back at the hotel having some drinks; it was his birthday, and I remember us all just hanging out, and he was just a great guy."

Photo below courtesy of Mad Anthony Cafe

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