When Ronnie James Dio passed away from stomach cancer in May, he was in the midst of launching a record label with his wife and manager, Wendy Dio. The future of the company which they planned to call Niji Entertainment Group, and would use to release recordings by Dio and other artists was thrown into doubt. But Wendy Dio now tells Rolling Stone that she will launch the label herself, with several releases scheduled for November. Meanwhile, she has been shopping Ronnie's memoirs with an agent.
Niji will get rolling on November 9th, when they release the double-disc set Dio at Donington UK: Live 1983 and 1987, which collects two vintage performances by Dio's solo group. The '83 performance, Wendy explains, "was the first appearance in the UK of the Dio band it's very energetic." Four years later, the band came with a different lineup and "a lot more songs under their belt." The first disc represents "a new, young band coming out of the box," says Wendy, "and then the [second disc] is a more seasoned band."
Dio at Donington UK: Live 1983 and 1987
Tracklisting
CD 1: 1983
1. Stand Up and Shout 2. Straight Through the Heart 3. Children of the Sea 4. Rainbow in the Dark 5. Holy Diver 6. Drum Solo 7. Stargazer 8. Guitar Solo 9. Heaven and Hell 10. Man on the Silver Mountain 11. Starstruck 12. Man on the Silver Mountain (Reprise)
CD 2: 1987
1. Dream Evil 2. Neon Knights 3. Naked in the Rain 4. Rock and Roll Children 5. Long Live Rock n Roll 6. The Last in Line 7. Children of the Sea 8. Holy Diver 9. Heaven and Hell 10. Man on the Silver Mountain 11. All the Fools Sailed Away 12. The Last in Line (Reprise) 13. Rainbow in the Dark