Guitar virtuoso Paul Gilbert recently opened up about his regret of never having the chance to play with the late legendary rock singer, Ronnie James Dio. In an interview with Eonmusic, Gilbert revealed that when Dio passed away, it was a moment of both loss and regret for him, as he felt like he missed an opportunity to collaborate with a true rock icon.
Recently, Gilbert found inspiration in an unlikely place – a baseball cap with the word ‘Dio’ emblazoned across it. This seemingly simple item triggered a wave of excitement, and a plan began to take shape: an album entirely dedicated to Ronnie James Dio’s most celebrated tracks. As an accomplished guitarist, Gilbert has tackled instrumental music before, but this project would present a new and thrilling challenge.
‘The Dio Album,’ released on April 7, is an homage to the late singer, featuring 10 of Dio’s most memorable tracks spanning his career with Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and his solo work. Gilbert meticulously studied the vocal melodies and techniques, paying tribute not only to Dio but also to the guitar legends who played alongside him: Tony Iommi, Ritchie Blackmore, and Vivian Campbell.
In his interview, Gilbert was asked if there was ever a point in his career where he could or would have joined Dio’s band. In response, Gilbert reflected on his own musical journey and acknowledged that he had always been involved in bands like Mr. Big and Racer X, or immersed in his solo career. However, he expressed his admiration for Ronnie James Dio and the desire to have played with him at some point in his life.
Gilbert also shared that when Dio passed away, it was not only a moment of loss but also one of regret for him, as he felt that he had missed an opportunity to collaborate with the legendary rock vocalist. He then went on to mention that working on his new album dedicated to Dio’s music allowed him to get closer to that dream, albeit in a different way.
Here is what the guitarist said about his regret about Dio:
“Well, I was always in a band. I was in Mr. Big, I was in Racer X, and by the time I was doing solo stuff, I wasn’t really playing metal anymore. And maybe I didn’t have the right hair or who knows what or wasn’t living in L.A. I mean, I’m just thinking of excuses, but man, I would have loved to play with Ronnie.
In fact, I remember when he passed away that was, besides just missing him, I remember feeling a little a little regret like; ‘Man, I never got a chance to play with him.’ That would have been so cool. So, you know, maybe doing this album is a chance to get a little bit close to that dream.”
Thus, Paul Gilbert’s ‘The Dio Album’ is a heartfelt tribute to the late Ronnie James Dio, showcasing his admiration and respect for the iconic singer. Though he never had the chance to play with Dio in person, this album serves as a testament to the impact Dio’s music had on him and a fitting tribute from one legend to another.
