Rockitt Rant – Cancer Sucks!!
Cancer sucks!! I come from a family that has been decimated by Cancer. I have lost several uncles, and aunt, and my niece Pam to this terrible disease. I honestly believe with all of the advances in technology in medicine, that we could have
gotten a grip on Cancer, and come up with a cure by now.
It has been a few days since I learned about the death of Ronnie James Dio to stomach cancer, and I must admit I am still in somewhat of a funk. I feel like a lost a close friend, even though I didn’t know Ronnie personally. I have loved all of his music over the years, whether it has been Rainbow, Black Sabbath, DIO, or Heaven & Hell. I absolutely hate that he is gone. Knowing that I will never get to see him sing again rips at the very fiber of my being.
This week I have listened to several interviews of the friends, band mates and associates of Ronnie, and they all mentioned just how great of a person Ronnie James Dio was. While I never got to know him personally, the few times I have seen him perform, he always gave 100% of himself, and I had a lot of respect for the man.
Looking back over Ronnie’s accomplishments, the one thing that strikes me is “Hear ‘N’ Aid” project back in the mid 80’s that was created to help famine in Africa. This charity CD helped raise over a million dollars. A million dollars is a huge amount when it comes to feeding hungry people. I wonder how a donation of this size would help cure Cancer?! Would it be enough? I doubt it, but I am sure it would help.
I would love to see a new group of hard rock & metal musicians take the time out to record a CD for Cancer Research. I would gladly donate my own 20 bucks for the CD, if I knew it was going to a good cause like the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund. Dio gave us so many great songs to enjoy, can we give something back in return?
The little man with the huge voice and big heart has left us for a better place.The legacy of Ronnie James Dio should live on forever!!
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I could not agree with you more, sir! I lost a GREAT friend earlier this year to Cancer. The closest thing I’ve ever had to a brother. He introduced me to so many GREAT bands. I miss him dearly. As for Dio, the Last In Line Tour was my first ever concert! A spectacular event only topped to this day by Alice Cooper’s Raise Your Fist And Yell Tour. I was so looking to Dio coming back rocking the Hell out of us! Alas, that was never meant to be. Long live the true King of Rock N Roll!!!
I hold my “Horns” up high, but my head down low.
A charity album is a great idea, Rob. I think a benefit concert is essential as well. It’s great the so many festivals this year are dedicating stages to him but surely someone can put together a night of tribute to Dio — nothing but Dio tunes by some of his closest friends, and let all the proceeds go toward fighting cancer.
Eddie Trunk has announced he’s filming a tribute special (tonight, maybe?) for VH1 Classic.
It’s so weird to be affected so strongly by this considering I never knew the guy personally and heck I never saw him live but that’s the power of music. My thoughts on him echo what his friends and family have said — a class act and great guy. I’ve seen and read enough interviews with him to know that. He was so articulate and had such a calm, rich, wise and warm tone in his voice when he spoke. I was glued to the screen whenever he talked.
Not to lighten the subject too much, but Hear N Aid was a classic, from the melody to the solos. I’d be scared to death to hear what they’d come up with today….:^(
That being said, I would also gladly contribute to the cause. You might be on to something…..
Rob Rockitt, you are so right on. I lost my mom to cancer last year… enough is enough. I pray that maybe, just maybe, our children will live to see the day that cancer is obliterated with a cure(s).
Like yourself, the “funk” is gonna be around us all for awhile. Ronnie James Dio touched us all in our Metal hearts with his voice, lyrics, music and persona. I sometimes wonder… the “funk” would be even worse right now if we were blessed to have known him personally. Still… I wish I did know him as a buddy or brother.
I agree 100%… bands, musicians, just have to come together for a charity album with proceeds to fight cancer, in the name of Ronnie James Dio. There are so many “famous” people that have fallen to this evil disease… it doesn’t have a bias when it comes to how wealthy you are and ignores your age too.
I appreciate your “Rant” Rob… hopefully it will motivate the music world, to once again rally together for a righteous cause.
Stone