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Hughes to join Heaven & Hell in tribute to RJD

Heaven & Hell with Ronnie James Dio were booked to play this summer at the High Voltage Festival in London along with the string of other European dates. These shows had to be cancelled when Ronnie’s health took a turn for the worse. Now, remaining band members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice will honour their commitment for only this one booking — where on July 24th they will perform a one-off tribute to the late Ronnie with Glenn Hughes and Jorn Lande joining them to share vocal duties. Proceeds will be donated to the Ronnie James Dio “Stand Up And Shout” Cancer Fund.

Thanks to black-sabbath.com for the info.



52 Comments to “Hughes to join Heaven & Hell in tribute to RJD”:

  1. 1
    MortO says:

    What a sad thought! One of the greatest is gone – and one of the poorest trying to do what he did!

  2. 2
    Bo says:

    Wow – I want to be there, but I’m sure there will be a lot of tears and joy at the same time.
    I know a man in black who should do something to. It will not damage his image.

  3. 3
    Bo says:

    To MortO: Yes Ronnie was a powerhouse in voice and in person., BUT Glenn is for sure a 100% powerhouse to.

  4. 4
    purplepriest1965 says:

    I m sure Glenn could prove he can do anything

    Hopefully he will be able to restrain himself

    Afraid not

    A few 7th Star tracks would not go amiss?

    I GO INSANE or another tracks from the Hughes and Iommi works?
    I wish Tony Martin would do the main bulk of the songs.

    Why just 2 singers?

  5. 5
    T says:

    With the excellent body of work Hughes has done with Iommi, along with the fact that Hughes knew Dio through Elf opening for Purple in the Mk3 days, the heritage is there and this is thus a fitting tribute.

  6. 6
    HZ says:

    Lande – Hughes! Superb!!! @1 Mate! Glenn is legend just like Dio was, and still is! If just Ritche wanted to have some fun – Lord, Glenn, Lande, Lars…

  7. 7
    MacGrefor says:

    Why not have Tony Martin sing the songs, as he did it very well whilst in Sabbath. Also, I thought Bruce Dickinson & Rob Halford would have been much better. Hughes is vastly over rated & if he starts hooping & hollering, well enough said. I certainly hope this is a one off also, we have had enough of tribute bands ruining the name of the classic acts from the past.

  8. 8
    Jack11 says:

    MortO you got it spot on.

  9. 9
    steve stewart says:

    hey MortO CLEAN THE SHIT FROM YOUR EARS.ALTHOUGH GLEN HUGHES MAY NOT BE THE PERFECT CHOICE FOR THIS ACT HE IS STILL ONE OF THE GREATEST ROCK AND ROLL VOICES OF ALL TIME
    JACKASS!

  10. 10
    Leon says:

    Hold on! Glenn Hughes is the best singer in this planet!
    Both, R.J.Dio and G.Hughes get famouse because R. Blackmore! Dont forget this fact! Sure Dio was just born for sing Rock! We all will miss him. There was never a better voice in Rainbow! But G.Hughes is still alive and better then ever! So sad I am never see Rainbow in the origimal again, I think G. Hughes should
    get the highest respect from you all! Who have a better voice then G. Hughes? That singer is still not born yet.

    Please more respect for G. Hughes! Open your minds and ears!

  11. 11
    Rasmus Heide says:

    @6 – Lars?
    http://jonlord.org/2009/01/06/mark-3-reunion-hot-air-and-wild-speculations/

  12. 12
    Drdp says:

    I hope & pray that this is recorded & filmed so the rest of the world can enjoy it as well. If it’s all for the charity then it makes sense to make it available as a cd/DVD release. I’ve already got my shirt on order and the purchase of a cd/DVD from this show would be a necessity! RJD ~ R.I.P.

  13. 13
    Barfly gypsy says:

    Jorn Lande has the powerplant in the lungs that dio hade And a a touch of coverdale tone i could think of no one better than him to do the job. If some one could do Dio justice he is the man i could think of no one else

  14. 14
    AndreA says:

    I think that Iommi Appice Butler deserve to give us and to RJDIO the best Tribute: they needs to do it! They lost a friend at all,we lost a Great Simble. I love this. I don’t consider this a poor commercial stuff if it is made from them. Glenn Hughes is the best Iommi has found in all his solo’s career (the7th star is great). I would have to see Glenn Hughes with this band in future under another nickname instead of Black Country Comm.

    !!!!!With the lost of RJDIO I fear that in future I will not see anymore BUTLER IOMMI APPICE all together,great band ( I love the last THE DEVIL YOU KNOW time after time..)!!!!!!

    I don’t mind to a reunion with OzzY,he is too much into the decadence ( I hate his new way to make music like a kind of s**t new metal sound..very poor music,I miss Rhoads and Lee era..)

    Lande is a good singer, but I’d prefered only one on memory of RJDio.

    I hope Hughes shall be involved into the best mood-band on stage instead to care to his boring cronic prayers…
    🙂

    “WISHING WELL”
    people

  15. 15
    AndreA says:

    I am disapointed for R.Blackmore,he has always a strange behaviour; he spent few 4 words for RJD after to have shared with him the best Rainbow’s era..He seems a grat musician but a poor lost man,lost in his ego….very sad about me…

  16. 16
    George says:

    @ Leon,
    are you crazy or something like that? who’s best singer? Glen Hughes?
    While the earth has listened to Ian Gillan, Robert Plant and Freddie Mercury, there’s no place for Glen, in the list of premir league of rock singers.
    He was the worst singer (after Ozzy) Black Sabbath hasever had. I mean. of course Glen and Ozzy are both great singers, but while BS had Gillan, Dio and Martin, who cares about Glen?

  17. 17
    George says:

    I mean, he’s not the right singer to replace Dio

  18. 18
    purplepriest1965 says:

    Listen for Glenns ability to sing ROCK on many albums.

    First of all 7th Star and FACE THE TRUTH with John Norum

    Even better…..Listen to ROME IS BURNING on the CD by Erik Norlander called Into The Sunset.
    This song is a sort of remake of Spotlight KId and brought some of us to the fantasy of what could have become of RAINBOW with Glenn.

    The energy and exitement of the Norlander song is incredible.

    I had the fortunate experience of seeing Erik and Lana Norlander, his wife and musical partner several times.

    Vinnie Appice did a good job on one of their albums btw, some years ago.
    I think the album was Project Shangrila.

    Lana also did amazing versions of Long Live Rock and Roll and Stargazer.
    During Secrets of Astrology LIVE, a Lana Lane and Norlander effort once again with Dutch AYREON man Arjen Lucassen guitarplayer on the album,they interpolated, hehehe, STORMBRINGER with great ease.

    Hell, I wish Lana could be involved in the tribute!!!!!

    Going into a spin with replaying ALL my Lana Lane cds now…….

  19. 19
    Renzo says:

    Could be great if The Man in Black will be there too playing Catch the Rainbow + Stargazer + Long Live RnR.

    I know…it’s just a dream….

  20. 20
    HZ says:

    @11
    Yes, i know what JL said year ago about that… Still, both of them: Lord – Blackmore should do something together one more time. Btw. if IP is involved then it’s DP (Lord – Blackmore – Paice: 1968, Deep Purple), and I’m in doubt that IP would go for that while there’s, from business point of view, official DP. What I want to say: We’ll never hear RJD live, so I’m glad that Hughes (who’s amazingly good for his years, way better than IG or DC today, actually as good as ever) will take his part in H&H performance, and I’m glad that he’s singing and is very active, and I’m enjoying all his albums from 90’s to these days. And I’m glad that Lande, who’s really really good singer (something between RJD and DC, and still himself), will sing with Glenn. And I’m all hope that Ritchie will find some old passion to stand together with JL, just to hear that old vibration between them one more time…

  21. 21
    Karl-Heinz says:

    Iommi, Butler, Appice (and Warren?) want to give a tribute to the late Ronnie James Dio, for the fans and fot RJD, and for charity.

    So why this discussions,whether Glenn is a good singer or not. Why the disussion, whether Tony MArtin should sing.

    H & H choose Glenn and Jörn. That’s it.
    And it surly will be a grandios tribute and maybe the last time to get the chance to see a pproper live-concert.

    So please be respectful in this situation.

    I hope a whole concert DVD for charity will be released, because not everyone can travel to London.

  22. 22
    Mister Slate says:

    Glenn Hughes has a terrific voice when the material fits him. I agree that he may not be the best choice to sign Dio-era Sabbath (or any other era for that matter) but give the man credit for taking some risk. This is for a worthy cause and will be an interesting event. Hopefully they can squeeze in a few tunes that Glenn did with Tony (Heart Like a Wheel, Danger Zone, In for the Kill, Angry Heart, Dopamine).

    The brief comment the man in black posted after RJD’s death are another example of his personality defect. Disappointing, but not surprising.

  23. 23
    The Greek Tie Coon says:

    I’ ve heard Glenn singing Catch the Rainbow at RJD memorial service via Youtube and I didn’t like it, but let’s hope he can cope better with Ronnie’s Black Sabbath songs.

  24. 24
    Jack11 says:

    Comment 9 is out of line. Everyone has different views.Some people cant express their views without taking it to the lowest levels with attacks.Sad

  25. 25
    Bo says:

    To Rasmus @11)
    I think we all know that JL dont want this to happen, but we can dream about it. A wonderfull dream I must say. The only thing that could beat that would be Mrk II with Gillan singing as he did 35-40 years ago, and that is impossible. But Mrk III could be possible – if the egos just wanted to happen.

  26. 26
    Purplemaniac76 says:

    Jorn Lande is the only man on this planet that can sing as good as Ronnie James Dio. Of course he’s a follower, but really a powerful one! Iommi/Butler/Appice/Lande under a new name with new material? That’d be just great!!! They could keep this Music alive. Fingers crossed.

  27. 27
    Lazy says:

    @10
    Totally agree with this!

  28. 28
    stefan says:

    Glenn is GOD….Period !!!! Tony Martin is a great singer, but have as much charisma as a piece of furniture ! I´m confident the event will be a huge success, and with some luck for those of us who can´t attend….. we´ll have a DVD & CD out of it !!!!

  29. 29
    Al Cornish says:

    I agree with #12.

  30. 30
    Morten Overgaard says:

    @ 9: Steve, you need to calm down.
    @ 6: Can you seriously look yourself in the mirror, while saying “Glenn i a legend”?
    Someday (and, I’m not hoping for this to happen) when GH dies he will be forgotten very fast. Ronnie on the other hand will be remembered for decades.

  31. 31
    Tracy Heyder (aka Zero the Hero) says:

    This would be a great sendoff to Mr. Dio. I would much rather All the past members of Sabbath join in on this Monumentous Moment singing ONLY DIO songs. Even Ozzy. That would be a true Class Act and contribution from the Osbourne Klan. Gillan, Hughes, Martin, and Ozzy should pay tribute to this Master. He revitalized Sabbath when Ozzy left and brought them to new heights with permanent classics that will stand forever. What better way to pay tribute to this Giant among Giants than to have his Fellow Sabbath singers belting out His songs with Their own great style. I can’t think of a better way…..

    Cheers

  32. 32
    HZ says:

    @30
    I don’t think so, sincerely, for the sake of the arguments – voice, style, etc. GH is great great singer, his work in DP will last forever, well “forever”… From the other side if someone doesn’t like his personality, the fact that he’s “hyperactive” sometimes, or something like that, well it’s irrelevant in term of music. It’s like: Oh, Ritchie is so introvert and moody and eccentric sometimes… Yes, and creator of two great lasting waves in hard rock with his immortal riffs – DP and Rainbow… I mean, even OTR are living on one of that waves, and they enjoying themselves and having a good time – even though he’s eccentric etc. Same thing apply on GH.. Man, I know he’s sometimes overreacting during concerts, he had attitude and drugs problem – but every and each work he participated is more than good, from DP to these days.. It’s just that he doesn’t have a clue about the business and commerciality, he doesn’t know how to be a “legend”, and he doesn’t know how to manage his huge talent. Look who are the guitarists and groups he worked with, look at the opus and songs that are classics… You’re wrong.

  33. 33
    mitch5501 says:

    Should be a great show.Here’s hoping it is filmed…it will be a very emotional night for all.Blackmore made some magical music with Ronnie and unlike so much of the pop dreck served up today(that Blackmore rightly despises),the music they created will inspire for a long long time.Ritchie owes it to Ronnie AND to himself to turn up and blow the world away with a storming “Man on the Silver Mountain”

  34. 34
    DPDAVE says:

    I really can’t believe that Glenn Hughes is going to try to sing
    Ronnie Dio songs. There are few if any singers out there who
    could emulate Ronnie but definately not Glenn.

  35. 35
    purplepriest1965 says:

    Hi Tracy

    Completely agree with you.
    That happens sometimes, hehehe

    Throw some more singers in the basket and I m in.

    Lana Lane
    Joe Lynn Turner
    Dave Meniketti
    Paul Shortino

    Dont like addings of singers like Geoff Tate and Rob Halford.
    Glenn should be able to sings NOT high all the time but these 2 do that all the time I m afraid.
    Ok, maybe for a song or 2.

    Graham Bonnet would be cool but although I love the man I must say I feel he is not in the best shape of his life right now.

    Same goes for Gillan. During BORN AGAIN he did some tremendous versions but today….?

    I like Roy Khan of KAMELOT too.

    Klaus Meine would be cool.

    Lou Gramm anybody?

    Cheers!

  36. 36
    Tracy Heyder (aka Zero the Hero) says:

    Yeah Priest, we do agree Sometimes…..BUT, I this case we did so partially. I don’t agree with the names you threw in the basket. My point was, since this is a “Heaven and Hell” show the Must Go On, it should be done so with all the Prior Sabbath singers in tribute to song DIO would do. “Heaven and Hell” was just another name for a Legitimate Sabbath Line-up. What better line-up for a Sabbath related gig than Ex-Sabbath Singers covering DIO period songs. Regarding others arguments complaining about HUGHES not being able to ’emulate DIO, that statement is rubbish. The point isn’t to Sound like DIO, it is to pay Tribute to the Man. I would much rather hear these guys do it than outside folks come in just because they can sing like DIO. All the Sabbath singers besides Ozzy, sang DIO songs when they joined and toured live. Gillan did a fantastic job with them all. Tony Martin did also, and so did Glenn Hughes for the short stint he participated. Ray Gillen would also be included but he is joined in Rock and Roll Heaven now with DIO.

    Cheers

  37. 37
    George Fotis says:

    It would be much better if it was a large out door concert were other bands played as well. Say AC/DC , Iron Maiden , Deep Purple & the new Rainbow line up. Sure this is a tribute to Dio , but i can’t help thinking it’s a practice gig to see how Hughes goes with Tony’s & the other’s, maybe a future spot in Black Sabbath is on the card’s, Tony for sure want’s to continue playing, his guitar work is too good to end now!

  38. 38
    purplepriest1965 says:

    @ 36

    Sammy Hagar?

    Uncle Ted?

    Rod Evans doing *Changes*…?

  39. 39
    Tracy Heyder (aka Zero the Hero) says:

    Hopefully they will pick up a singer and plow forward. I do NOT want to see another OZZY Sabbath line-up. Unless they do it up right and record a new album first. Tired of the OZZ Fest shows whereby he ‘allows’ his old bandmates to appear and do the Old Sabbath tunes as a Side Show. Pathetic.

    I once sent an audition tape to Sabbath back in the early 80’s. They had posted an add in Kerrang and I answered with a tape. Never heard from them. Maybe it’s time to do it again. Can pretty much cover all era tunes fairly well. I would love to hear a Sabbath Line-up that covered Every Sabbath era Live. I can do it. Anybody know how to reach Iommi????? Let me know.

    Cheers

  40. 40
    purplepriest1965 says:

    Poor Bill Ward!!!!

  41. 41
    George says:

    I think, the best choice would be is Sabbath reunited with Ozzy for that one-off show and pay the proper tribute to our lovely Dio… but Ozzy isn’t the right singer to sing dio-era songs as well…

    Wish a great show to Glen & Sabbath. I hope it will be ONLY ONE-OFF thing and they won’t continue with Glen…

  42. 42
    Roberto says:

    can someone do what Gillan did in Sabbath shows? that were fantastic things….surely phenomenal interpretation by Ian who sung in is own way like every great singer should do while replacing…so….why not Gillan joining Sabbath?

  43. 43
    Christoph says:

    As a long time fan it is a devastating thought that Ronnie not with us anymore. Who could keep up delivering the goods for decades the way Ronnie did, only a handfull I`d say. But please, DON`T ASK joe lynn turner, it`ll be nightmare.

  44. 44
    Arve says:

    Hi
    Jørn Lande will do it very well. I have seen him at Sweden Rock Festival this year and he can sing. Wait an see.

  45. 45
    purplepriest1965 says:

    @ 43

    I dont agree with the JLT opinion.

    I truly think and have witnessed he can deliver old RAINBOW with Dio stuff with great heart and quality as well.

    On the other hand…..
    I can understand why he s being bashed so much.

    2 days ago I saw tubes from his latest SOLO GIGS.
    The setlist contains besides BURN, Perfect Strangers and Highwaystar a large bulk of the OTR live set.

    He even manages to do Gates Of Babylon which OTR not did on their last visit overhere!!!!!

    I love the man but this is really weird.

    Has OTR split?
    Is it really a situation of trying to gig his ass off out of fun or for money?
    Why could he not use OTR instead?

    Calling it solo gigs is not appropriate this way.

    He REALLY should do loads of his sometimes great solo stuff and maybe, JUST MAYBE, a few things like King Of Dreams, he now does that btw, and other things he was included originally.

    Hell, do Fandango, DP , solo and Malmsteen and Hughes and Turner tracks and so on!!!!!

    Will there be an album by OTR soon or not, Joe?

    Just when I thought things did get a bit more serious, espescially seeing great new grouppics, I get to see this.

    If I would get to see him THIS WAY overhere I d go anyway but I ll truly feel awkward…..

    WHAT S GOIN ON HERE????!!!!!

  46. 46
    MrPtheDPFan says:

    I haven’t read all the comments , but let’s cut the crap. H&H has suffered in this as much as anyone .The tour is toast . Every fan of RJD is devastated .What can you do? Do the tribute.The band has a deal to play it.The show must go on.If you don’t like the idea of Glenn doing it , too bad . Start your own damn tribute band if your such a hot shot judge of talent. Maybe audition for Simon Cowell

  47. 47
    BlackSparrow says:

    Coverdale wanted too much money so they picked Hughes makes cents to me. But seriously though Hughes has talent, yeah maybe not as good as Dio, yeah obviously not on vocals, but on Bass he could have wiped the floor with Pandova. As for who should do the gig well I sent a tape to Butler once too Tracy and management said I was not the man. But if they ever met me I am the exact double of Ozzy with a voice that was second only to Gillan, so never underestimate yourself Tracy, maybe they were looking for a british bloke or maybe they were looking for a blond and you are a brunette. The music business is all about timing and obviously yours and mine were not quite right at the time. As one of the ealier posters said if it were not for BLACKMORE none of these blokes would be NOTHING. So why should Blackmore say anything more than he did, Blackmore is the Man on the Silver Mountain and others are mere mortals.

  48. 48
    purplepriest1965 says:

    Googled the name Simon Cowell because I never heard of the man.

    I suppose he is big in Britain?

    Is he really THE talentscout or something?

    What the hell do I know……

    Yeah, I say that when I am confronted again with appearantly a hole in my culture.

    Mister Humble is rubbing his knees and tries to wake up for another hot day.

    Cheers!

  49. 49
    Woodruff P. Hoppinstopp says:

    Jimmy Barnes from Living loud would be great.

  50. 50
    Tracy Heyder (aka Zero the Hero) says:

    It’s been officially announced that Bret Michaels from the band Poison will be replacing Simon Cowell on American Idol…..

    Cheers

  51. 51
    TJ says:

    I think Jorn Lande is an amazingly weird choice. I mean, he’s a great singer and a great guy, but he just doesn’t have the legendary status needed to put Heaven and Hell/Black Sabbath to rest gracefully. (it might be the last Sabbath show ever, you never know)

    I have no doubt he’ll be able to sing the songs, but he’s just barely outside the “cover band singer” category, having tried to emulate other singers for years and years. And I don’t like the way he sings Dio songs either, it sounds strained all the time.

    I think this band should have gotten someone far more known and closer to Dio, like Bruce Dickinson. The band deserved it.

    But Hughes is a good choice, not because he’s close to Dio’s voice, but because he is who he is. An ex-Sabbath member and a rock legend. Maybe we’ll finally hear him sing the songs right, after the catastrophical tour of ’86.

  52. 52
    AB says:

    What about Ronnie Romero ? { teh heh }

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