The annual "Rock For Ronnie" benefit concert returned to Los Angeles on May 31, bringing together fans and fellow musicians to honor the legacy of Ronnie James Dio and support the fight against cancer. Now in its 16th consecutive year, the outdoor celebration — organized by Wendy Dio and benefiting the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund — drew thousands to the sunlit South Lawn of the Autry Museum of the American West in Griffith Park.
Hosted by SiriusXM personality Eddie Trunk, the seven-hour event (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) was headlined by LITA FORD and DIO DISCIPLES, the officially sanctioned DIO tribute act. LITA FORD delivered a commanding set, her signature guitar work and hard rock presence as potent as ever. DIO DISCIPLES — currently featuring the newly announced lineup revealed by Wendy Dio earlier this week — gave the classic DIO catalog the full-throttle, reverential treatment it demands. Additional performances came from JASON CHARLES MILLER, LED ZEPAGAIN, and SAINTS OF SINNERS.
The cause behind the celebration is as important as the music. The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund has raised over $2 million since its founding, channeling proceeds to cancer research through the T.J. Martell Foundation, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and the UCLA School of Dentistry's pioneering saliva-based cancer detection research. The Fund was established by Wendy Dio following Ronnie's death from stomach cancer on May 16, 2010.
Beyond the music, attendees could participate in silent and live auctions, visit vendor booths, try food from local trucks, and take part in artist meet-and-greets. The relaxed open-air format — with both VIP seating and general admission available on the museum's expansive South Lawn — has made "Rock For Ronnie" one of the metal community's most beloved and consistent annual gatherings.
Ronnie James Dio, who passed away at age 67, remains one of heavy metal's most revered vocalists of all time. His work with RAINBOW, BLACK SABBATH, and DIO defined an era of melodic, mythologically charged heavy metal, and his influence continues to resonate across generations of musicians and fans. The "Holy Diver" sign — the devil-horns gesture he popularized — became one of rock and roll's most universal symbols. The annual gathering in his name is a testament to the depth and permanence of that legacy.
Wendy Dio, who has kept the flame burning since Ronnie's passing, continues to champion both the Fund and the DIO musical legacy with remarkable dedication. Sixteen years in, "Rock For Ronnie" shows no signs of fading.