Meeting Ronnie

[olivious the drummer]

Ronnie is such a wonderfully warm human being - my wife had never seen Dio until the KTD show and Ronnie made her feel like she had been one of the gang for years.....he even hugged her - she has been a convert since that gig and for the very reason that Ronnie made time for her in a situation where she didnt feel he had to give her the time of day........by the way (as small correction to my earlier posting) I worked out the other day that I first heard Ronnie in 1977 when I was 7 years old......that means I have been a 'fan' for 34 years!!!!
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Stand up and Shout!!!!!

[fiddlequeen07]

I have a friend who knows a woman who saw Dio last time he was in Dallas, Texas. Apparently, she and her husband were friends of a friend from years before, so they had met him previously. She told my friend that Ronnie remembered them even after almost 25 years. I think that really says something good about him--he's not taking anyone for granted. He obviously cares about the people he meets. That deserves a great amount of respect, no doubt.

[SteelCityDio]

When Heaven and Hell toured the UK, I won backstage passes through their website.
I waited after the gig as instructed with people who had meet and greet passes. They all went in and spent a bit of time with the band, the idea being that I'd get the most time with the band. An hour went by and all the other people had left, and finally the tour manager came and told me the band had left.

Very disappointed and angry. Disappointed because I was hoping to meet some of my musical heroes in Ronnie, Tony and Geezer. Angry because somebody let them go know perfectly well that I was waiting to meet them, but nobody told me and I was kept waiting for an hour by myself.

I've got tickets for Ronnie's gig in Sheffield next month and would love the chance to meet him, if only just to get a moment to thank him for the music and maybe get an autograph.
Everyone says he's cool, and it hurts that I came so close to what would have been an amazing experience, only to get shot down.
I think I still have the phone number of the lady who organised the passes. Her name escapes me at the moment but I think she was an assistant to the tour manager or something. Does Ronnie have the same tour management/backstage team with him that were with Heaven and Hell?
I figured maybe I should send her a message and see if she remembers me. Assuming she did remember me, what do you think my chances of actually being able to meet Ronnie would be? Or is there any way of making myself known to Ronnie's management? It's probably a non-starter, but it doesn't hurt to ask and I can't help but think I'm due a break after getting screwed out of going backstage for Heaven and Hell!

I bet you've all heard these requests before, but thanks in advance all the same.

[Non]

I also truly want to know how to get the backstage pass and if there'll be a separate meet and greet (Heaven and Hell had in Japan two years ago)

I love to meet Ronnie too.

Please let us have an information on that.
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☆Tell me lies as long as it's not about love☆

[Rhonda Ross]

[stu]

I've been lucky enough to meet quite a few bands in the 80's and 90's, mainly thanks to a friend who worked in a record shop and had all the right contacts. I never managed to meet Ronnie, but I'd love to. My friend never got me in to any Dio or Sabbath gigs, but he did it himself and at least got me an autograph. There have been times when I waited near the tourbus for ages but always had to leave to catch a train home, or I'd get dragged away by bored friends. Ronnie always seems to play Scotland in winter time and it's too damn cold to hang around outside after the gig in a sweat-soaked t-shirt. I haven't tried to meet a band for years, but I'll definitely be trying it again this tour. Once the bulk of the crowd have left I'm gonna try to move my car as close as I can to the tourbus and wait in comfort!
No idea what I'd say to Ronnie if I ever do meet him, I just wanna say thanks.

[Ruth]

Wendy sent me a backstage pass for the Dream Evil tour in Phila

I got backstage but never got to meet Ronnie. I was devastated.

I finally met him and the rest of the band in October 2004 in Phila

They came outside after the show. It was a long wait for Ronnie but worth it

I have met lot of people in the business but Ronnie was the nicest of all

[PureEvel]

Hey fiddlequeen, I know exactly what your family means! I've been lucky enough to meet many of the people I admire, writers, artists, athletes and a lot of rockers. Some are nice, some are real jerks. We have a way of idealizing people we don't personally know and it can be a great disappointment to meet them and find out their faults.

In the past couple years I became somewhat friends with one of the great frontmen of the 80's and it felt kind of special for awhile. Backstage at all the shows, hanging out afterwards, being greeted by name and hugs in front of all the fans that were waiting. Great ego boost! That was the upside. Downside was I found out what a self centered egotistical jerk he could be! It really showed when this retro glam thing got going and he started feeling famous again I guess. And yeah it was a disappointment. I was mad at first but then had to realize, they're human too, was really my fault for expecting any more and for getting caught up in my own ego. So when the retro glamtrain crashes and hes touring clubs on his own again I'll be there and I'll still be his friend and I'll remind him what a jerk he's been

BUT, I gotta say although meeting the famous can be a disillusioning realization and it's happened to me a few times Ronnie was not one of those disappointments! I really was scared he would be and almost didn't go backstage last year because I wasn't sure I wanted to face that. I am so glad I didn't let my fear rule me because out of all the celbs I've met RJD is by far the nicest and most thoughtful. He lived up to every expectation I had of him and more! Tell your family that RJD is the real deal and he will not disappoint!

[fiddlequeen07]

[eiricd]

had the pleasure of meeting Ronnie last year in Oslo, after the Dio gig.
he was incredibly friendly and took the time to talk to everyone and pose for pics and sign autographs.
when you're beyond your teenage years and getting older, like I am, it's so great to discover that one of your heroes actually deserves the title "hero".
Ronnie has achieved so much, many people who have accomplished alot less than Ronnie wouldn't bother with the fans this way, but Ronnie was a true gentleman. and it felt like he meant it, that he wasn't just doing it to be nice, which made it even more special.
aside from all the great musical moments he's given me, this is what stands out, now, in this time of illness.

so thankyou Ronnie, for really stepping up, and prove yourself as not only a great singer, but a great man.

[olivious the drummer]

Great post eiricd, When I met Ronnie I was really worried that all my 'hype' of the man would be shattered.......BUT I need not have worried because not only was I amazed by how much time he gave to everyone he met but also that he spoke to us like equals and in my case as a fellow musician.

He proved that my belief in him was always founded on solid ground and that my love for him was always correctly placed.

He truly loves his fans, appreciates what they give back to him - he is a unique person. I only have one hero, one Icon and that is Ronnie James Dio.

Ronnie is the role model that so many other 'stars' should be following......
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Stand up and Shout!!!!!

[miker270967]

Wow, I'e always regarded myself as extremely lucky having met Ronnie twice after gigs in Liverpool in the 80's, one with Dio Holy Diver tour and one with Sabbath a few years later. The first time I couldn't speak... literally!!! My brother had to ask him to sign my denim jacket. I think I managed to say WOW!.
Second time I managed a few more words. I have never forgotten the thrill of meeting my all time idol. I was about 16 to 20 at the time and am now 42. I obviously kept both jackets as my pride and joy and now my youngest daughter has nicked the one signed by Ronnie, Vinnie apice and Viv Campbell and Jimmy Bain. and although I worry about something happening to it, I'm much happier getting it out of the wardrobe and seeing her wear it with pride. After reading some of your comments about how rare my experience is, i'm glowing with pride!
Got tickets to take both my daughters to see Ronnie next week in Manchester, ah well, maybe next year. Get well soon Ronnie, you've been a life long inspiration to me, and now my family.
I still play Rainbow on Stage in the car, Catch the Rainbow Ronnie.

Cheers, Mike
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Too many Mountains, Not enough time.

[Reem]

i'd be the happiest person if i met Dio !!!! but i don't think it's possible because if i was told i an to meet Dio i'd die of a heart-attack before i get to see him !!!!!

[bristoldiofan666]