RONNIE JAMES DIO Cancer Fund Awards Gala: More Details Revealed

The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund, founded last year in memory of the world-renowned voice of DIO, BLACK SABBATH and HEAVEN & HELL, will host its first Awards Gala on Tuesday, November 1 at the world-famous Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills, California. Awards will be presented to six distinguished honorees for their contributions to spreading awareness of Fund's important work.

A privately funded 501C3 charity organization dedicated to cancer prevention, research and education, the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund has already raised more than $500,000 in its short history. Monies raised have been committed to the cancer research work of the T.J. Martell Foundation For Cancer, AIDS And Leukemia Research and the gastric cancer research unit of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where Ronnie was treated for gastric cancer during the last six months of his life, according to Wendy Dio, widow of the late singer and Fund President/Founder.

The event at the Playboy Mansion will include cocktails and gourmet food stations created by renowned chef William S. Bloxsom-Carter, a silent auction and a performance by the rock band ASIA featuring John Payne. Guests will be treated to tours of the Mansion grounds and world-famous grotto.

Eddie Trunk of VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" will serve as special guest emcee. Awards named after songs written by Ronnie James Dio will be presented to the following honorees:

* Man On The Silver Mountain Award: Tony Martell, founder of the T.J. Martell Foundation, which has funded innovative medical research to find cures and treatments for leukemia, cancer and AIDS for nearly 40 years;

* Rainbow In The Dark Award: Mike Carden, cancer survivor and President, North America, Eagle Rock Entertainment, leading independent record label;

* King Of Rock 'N Roll Award: Terry "Geezer" Butler, bassist for BLACK SABBATH and HEAVEN & HELL, and longtime bandmate and friend of Ronnie James Dio;

* Sacred Heart Award: Sandeep Kapoor, M.D., Medical Director/Co-Founder of the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund;

* Killing The Dragon Award: Danny Zelisko, concert promoter and cancer survivor, President, Danny Zelisko Presents, Phoenix;

* Stand Up And Shout Award: Rita Haney, a tireless fundraiser, founder of Dimebash, in memory of her longtime boyfriend "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott.

"Ronnie would be proud to witness the legacy he's left behind," says Fund chairman Gloria Butler. "Sadly, we've all known people that have suffered this cruel disease, cancer. Most of us have lost loved ones far too early. If only... if only there was more money for research to be able to find cures for all of the cancers. Maybe someday people will be able to reflect on how their ancestors strived to make a difference in finding a cure. What now seems like a fantasy may prove to someday be a reality."

Gold Table ($10,000)

* Gold page ad
* Table for 10
* 10 limited-edition commemorative sponsor pins
* Mention on web site and in all event advertising

Platinum Table $15,000

* Platinum page ad
* Table for 12
* 12 limited-edition commemorative sponsor pins
* Mention on web site and in all event advertising

The Ronnie James Dio "Stand Up And Shout" Cancer Fund is a non-profit founded by Ronnie's wife/manager, Wendy Dio, to fund and advocate for cancer research and screenings for societys underprivileged.

For more information, go to this location.

Ronnie James Dio was renowned throughout the world as one of the greatest and most influential vocalists in heavy metal history.
The singer, who was recording and touring with SABBATH offshoot HEAVEN & HELL prior to his illness, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in late 2009. He underwent chemotherapy and made what is now his final public appearance in April 2010 at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards in Los Angeles.

A free public memorial service was held on May 30, 2010 at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, attended by more than 1,500 fans, friends and fellow musicians.

This past March, it was announced that the surviving members of the final lineup of DIO would embark on a project with former JUDAS PRIEST frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens under the name DIO DISCIPLES.

Ronnie James Dio, real name Ronald James Padavona, was born in New Hampshire on July 10, 1942.

He moved to Cortland, New York at a young age, where he began playing with local acts. A street in Cortland, Dio Way, was named after him in 1988.

He released his first single, with a band called RONNIE AND THE REDCAPS, in 1959.

His first heavy rock act, ELF, released three albums and opened for DEEP PURPLE, where Dio's voice caught the ear of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. Blackmore recruited Dio for his own band, RAINBOW, after leaving PURPLE in 1975.

Dio recorded three studio albums and one live set with RAINBOW before exiting in 1978, including "Rising" and "Long Live Rock And Roll".

He replaced Ozzy Osbourne in BLACK SABBATH in 1980, recording the "Heaven And Hell" and "Mob Rules" albums, plus "Live Evil", before leaving in 1982. He rejoined the group 10 years later for an album called "Dehumanizer", and again teamed with the group under the HEAVEN & HELL banner in 2006. HEAVEN & HELL released an album called "The Devil You Know" in 2009.

He has also recorded 10 studio albums with his own band, DIO, including a classic 1983 debut, "Holy Diver", and an equally renowned follow-up, 1984's "The Last In Line".

Dio was also behind the HEAR N' AID project, a collection of metal artists who recorded the track "Stars" in 1985 to raise funds for African famine relief.