May 16, 2010, marked 15 years since Ronnie James Dio left this earth due to stomach cancer. The legendary frontman of Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and Dio was a Heavy Metal icon with his unmistakable voice, devil horns, and genuine kindness to all who knew him. For more than 10 years, the Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund has been raising money and awareness for cancer research regarding stomach, colon, and prostate cancer in honor of Dio’s battle with stomach cancer. On May 18, 2025 the annual Rock for Ronnie concert was held at The Park at Autry Museum in Los Angeles for a day of Rock n Roll, auctions, and cancer awareness.
This year’s event, sponsored by Motörhead Whiskey, White Hag Beer, Liquid Death, Celsius, and many more, was hosted by Ahmet Zappa and featured music by Anita Squeeze, Jason Charles Miller, Count’s 77, Kill Devil Hill, Dio Disciples, Sebastian Bach and an All-Star jam. The music started at 11:30 with LA’s Anita Squeeze led by LA native Josh Lewis; these guys thrust into some ass-kicking rock n roll to wake everyone up on this Sunday morning. In between bands, Ahmet Zappa entertained the crowd, and Wendy Dio welcomed everyone to the day’s festivities.
Next, Jason Charles Miller (yes, the same JCM that was the vocalist for Godhead) revved up the early crowd with some country/blues-infused rock that showcased his talent outside of the Industrial Rock genre. Miller also played at the 2023 and 2024 Rock for Ronnie events, and with that success, he honored Dio again this year.
Jason Charles Miller
Photo Credit: Chris Loomis
Count’s 77 was up next, and you may recognize vocalist Danny “Count” Koker from the Las Vegas-based show Counting Cars featuring his Count’s Kustoms auto shop. Well, Koker is as talented as a vocalist as he is at building hot rods as he and the band blazed through some 70’s inspired rock n roll.
Count’s 77
Photo Credit: Chris Loomis
Kill Devil Hill has been delivering their flavor of Heavy Metal for the last 15 years, led by original members, vocalist Dewey Bragg and guitarist Mark Zavon. Before their set started, Ahmet Zappa brought up Mia Tyler (Steven Tyler’s daughter – who is Dewey Bragg’s wife), and they had an entertaining discussion about being children of rockstars. Kill Devil Hill definitely took the day into a heavier direction with their upbeat set that had the afternoon crowd rockin out in the 75-degree sun.
Kill Devil Hill
Photo Credit: Chris Loomis
In between all the music, bands were doing meet and greets and there were plenty of vendor booths and food trucks. By this time, the crowd in the park was ready for some Dio music, and Dio Disciples rocked some Dio, Rainbow, and Black Sabbath. Initially, the band consisted of former Dio band members with vocals by Tim “Ripper” Owens and Oni Logan. However, the band has had a rotating door of members over the years. Ultimately, all are paying tribute to Dio to carry on the legacy of his music. This year’s version included Ira Black on guitar, Bjorn Englun on bass, Scott Warren on keyboards, Simon Wright on drums and vocals by Budderside vocalist Patrick Stone and the most recent Lynch Mob vocalist Gabriel Colon. The band was super tight and played “Rainbow in the Dark,” “Long Live Rock n Roll,” “Mob Rules,” and many more Dio classics.
Dio Disciples
Photo Credit: Chris Loomis
To raise money for the Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, a Richie Sambora signed guitar sold for over $1,000 tickets to the Back to The Beginning show with Ozzy and Black Sabbath sold for $3,500, and many other items were gobbled up by generous fans with all the proceeds going directly to the cancer fund.
Sebastian Bach hit the stage at about 4:00 pm for a 60-minute set of Skid Row hits sprinkled with a few solo songs. Bach remains a force onstage with his pristine vocal delivery and active stage antics. His band consisted of his son Paris on drums, and his 12-year-old stepson Trace brought some youth to the stage for “Youth Gone Wild” as he jammed out on guitar for the iconic anthem.
Sebastian Bach
Photo Credit: Chris Loomis
A bit after 5:00 pm, the All-Star jam hit the stage, and it all began with Thin Lizzy and Black Star Rider vocalist Ricky Warrick belting out Thin Lizzy classics “Are You Ready” and “Jailbreak.” Next, Armored Saint vocalist John Bush, Julia Lage, Britt Lightning from Vixen, and Neil Turbin (both Turbin and Bush are former Anthrax vocalists) rocked some Rainbow. Sirius XM’s Tommy London joined in on vocals for some Van Halen then King’s X vocalist/bass player Dug Pinnick came out and played some Jimi Hendrix.
Legendary bassist Rudy Sarzo joined Phil Demmel on guitars and drummer Jeremy Colson on drums with Neil Turin on vocals for some Judas Priest. Doug Aldrich made an appearance, as did Sean McNabb and many more.
Another successful Rock For Ronnie event is in the books, as this was the first time the event was held at this location at Autry Museum Park, and it worked very well. Every year this is a memorable event not only for the performances but to honor a legend gone too soon. To make a donation anytime during the year, go to Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund and support research to help identify early signs of cancer and ultimately cure this horrible disease. Rest in Peace, Ronnie James Dio – your music lives on forever!
All-Star Jam
Photo Credit: Chris Loomis
