Why I'm a Ronnie James Dio Fan

[alitivity]

As the first Dio Member of the month, I thought I should post a topic that would represent the honor that I have been given. So here it is

When I was three, I was abandoned by my parents. I spent hard time in the Tennessee Foster care system, only to be rescued by an Aunt who turnd out to be just as hard ( Spare the Rod spoil the Child). I was later reunited with my mother and forced to live with her again. I had many bitter feelings and resentment towards her. As i grew into a teenager, I did many things just to spite her. My mother is from Kentucky and as prejudice as the come. So all threw Jr high, I listened to Rap music and told her I was going to date Black girls. She hated it, and would threaten to throw me out on the street if I ever brought a black girl home.

I was just acting out against the injustice that I had to deal with as a child. Growing up with Hillbillies, I had not been exposed to the heavier side of music. I grew up listening to Country and top forty. So I didnt have much exposure to Metal. I think I was in the 8th grade the first time I heard Iron man.

When I reached High School, I met a friend who turned me on to Holy Diver. I had never heard anything like it. It seemed to speak to me. I had never fealt the music the way I fealt this music. It was like a whole new world had opened up. I went crazy, I bought everything from Ronnie I could find at the local record store. Which was Holy Diver, Last in Line, Heaven and Hell, and Long Live Rock and Roll. I couldnt get enough. Ronnie sang with such authority. I had to listen, I couldnt get the songs out of my head. I would listen to them morning, noon, and night. I had always loved to sing, but now I only sang these songs. I have often credited Ronnie for the voice I now have. By learning these songs, I learned to control the muscles in my throat as well as my abdomen, without even realizing I was doing it.

I began to Dream, I Dreamed of singing in my own Rock bands, I believed I could do it, after all Ronnie told me to dream, so I had to. I dreamed of seeing Ronnie Live, and then he came with the Sacred Heart tour, and I went. That is when I saw the most amazing concert I have ever seen. I began to dream again, this time of performing my own concerts.

Eventually I made those dreams come true. I have been performing for over twenty years now. I still hold a passion for Metal that is unbreakable. I do sing other styles, but Metal is the one in my heart. When I think of where that passion comes from, I know that it has always been inside me, but Ronnie unwittingly helped to bring it out.

I still have a dream to meet Ronnie one day, but if that never happens, I still have the view of the man who was so influential in my carreer as a singer and the man I became. His words Taught me how to live. To Stand Up & Shout, to Ride the Tiger, and to Dream .

That is why I'm a Ronnie James Dio Fan
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Check out Al Diamond Phillips/Nevermet on the web
http://www.reverbnation.com/nevermet

[Nurse Ratched]

Hey, congrats on the MotM...you deserve it.

I read all you said about RJD and I'm glad someone could inspire you thru tough times. So often it is the music that gets us thru. I know for me it always has been....and you have a killer voice, btw
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"...you were a fool but that's cool, it's alright!"

[seventh star]

Very inspirational story. I am glad you followed your dreams and heart and are pursuing your passion. Ronnie James Dio is in a sense a beacon of light to all of us, illuminating the way on this plane, raising consciousness of fans, articulating thoughts and expressing through songs what we may not be able to do. Ronnie comes from a place of high spiritual wisdom and this is conveyed through his lyrics. I, like you, would love to meet him one day but if it is not in the cards, then I will be grateful for the impression that he has left on me through his music.

[ryuhi2]

Great thread, and great posts so far. I was reading and it took me back to junior high and high school. I grew up on the poor side of life, but my parents wanted me to have a good education. So needless to say, i was the poor kid in the schools full of rich, snobbish students. In high school I was literaly the ONLY male with long hair, AND the only Dio/metal fan. I had a lot of hard times in school and was caught up in many fights. Through it all though, Ronnie was there in my life. He was my best friend from 7th to the 12th grades, SOMETIMES my only friend it seemed. I would go home after school, and put on holy diver, last in line, sacred heart, or dream evil, and close my eyes and dream. Dio got me through some of the hardest times of my life, and to this day I owe him many, many, thanks....and that is why I appreciate him....... I am a fan, and ALWAYS will be....

Ronnie Rules!!!!!

[alitivity]

I understand that perfectly. I grew up in a Haves and have nots environment as well. Sometimes the pressures we go through in life can be extremely hard. Sometimes all you need to escape is a little RJD.

I spent many hours in my room listening to Ronnie instead of out doing things that would have ruined my life. Not saying i didnt do some of those things, but I did less of them than others I knew, and by listening to RJD I was able to gain new perspective on my life and what I wanted to do with it.

As I have said many times, I believe we all hear what we personally need to hear in Ronnies music. My interperatations lead me the way I needed to go. Others may just hear great songs, but as a kid with a messed up life, I was looking for a way out of that, so I put my own meaning to the songs, and began my journey through them. Only Ronnie knows what his songs really mean, but the fact that they can mean so much to so many people is just an amazing thing. As a songwriter, I couldnt even imagine that kind of response to anything I've done.
_________________
Check out Al Diamond Phillips/Nevermet on the web
http://www.reverbnation.com/nevermet

[seventh star]

When the student is ready, the master appears .... we are open-minded to the philosophy, wisdom and instruction.