Due to “unforeseen circumstances,” singer Tim “Ripper” Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) will not be able to join his bandmates in DIO DISCIPLES on the Monsters Of Rock cruise, which will embark on its second voyage March 16 and return four days later. Departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this cruise will visit the private island of CocoCay, plus Nassau, Bahamas with a rockin’ bonus day at sea. Ripper says: “I am still in [DIO DISCIPLES] and we will be celebrating the great [Ronnie James Dio] this summer in South America!!!” Filling in forOwens in DIO DISCIPLES on the Monsters Of Rock cruise will be formerYNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ROYAL HUNT and ULI JON ROTH vocalist Mark Boals.
DIO DISCIPLES is the group which pays tribute to legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW, DIO, HEAVEN & HELL) and is fully supported by Dio‘s widow/manager, Wendy Dio. In addition to Owens, DIO DISCIPLES‘ current lineup includes Scott Warren(DIO, HEAVEN & HELL) on keyboards, Oni Logan (LYNCH MOB) on vocals, Craig Goldy (DIO) on guitar, Bjorn Englen (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) on bass and Simon Wright (AC/DC, DIO, RHINO BUCKET,UFO) on drums.
Goldy previously stated about DIO DISCIPLES: “After Ronnie‘s passing and a lengthy mourning period, Wendy Dio and the band that was left behind have decided it was time to honor and keep the memory and legacy of Ronnie James Dio alive in the most respectful way possible!
“There is something special that happens when a group of people gather together with the same heart, mind and spirit as one another… and that is what happens every night we (the DIO DISCIPLES) perform! I never know when… but I know that it will happen because it always does… some time during the concert, the audience and the band connect and become as one!
“And with the large speaker system, lights and special performances by past members of AC/DC, JUDAS PRIEST, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN andLYNCH MOB… you don’t want to rely on all the crappy little cell phone recordings that look and sound like shit posted on YouTube!
“I’ve never lied about anything to any DIO fan and I’m not about to start now! Every time we perform there’s always several very special moments that just can’t be defined into words! You just have to trust me and come experience it for yourselves! And I hope you do!”
Source: www.blabbermouth.net