Ronnie James Dio Autobiography Finished

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Ronnie James Dio autobiography finished & tentative release date announced

https://planetradio.co.uk/planet-rock/news/rock-news/ronnie-james-dio-autobiography/?fbclid=IwAR1W5z5gxK7jtK3qJ-gmv42l_OWcNyEsGLKf29M0c2r_8nkUCYiUjQ47ZXo

Ronnie James Dio’s long awaited posthumous autobiography is finally finished and it’s tentatively set for release on Saturday 10th July 2021 - what would have been Dio’s 79th birthday.

The legendary vocalist had been working on his memoir prior to his untimely death in May 2010 and his widow, Wendy, has completed the book alongside esteemed rock and metal writer Mick Wall.

Speaking to RockSverige, Wendy Dio said: "I have the book, Ronnie's autobiography, finally finished with Mick Wall, and I think it's coming out on Ronnie's birthday July 10th.

“Ronnie had written half of it, and Mick Wall and I got together and found lots of interviews, so I wanted it to still be in Ronnie's voice. I'm very pleased with that."

Wendy also revealed more information about the Ronnie James Dio feature-length documentary that’s been in the works for two years.

Fully authorised by the Dio estate, the as-yet-untitled film is being financed and executive produced by BMG who will release it worldwide.

"It's probably coming out next year," Wendy said. "We've been working on that, and then it had to stop for a little bit because of them having to go to Europe to interview more people, and because of the travel bans (because of the coronavirus pandemic) they haven't been able to do that. Hopefully it will come out in 2022."

Helmed by Don Argott and Demian Fenton, it’s the first ever official documentary about Ronnie James Dio and it will focus on his early life and entire fabled music career - from his fledgling days with Elf through to his final project Heaven & Hell.

The film will “set against the backdrop” of Ronnie James Dio’s unfinished autobiography -which has half-finished before his untimely death from stomach cancer in 2010 - and it include rare archival footage and photos from Dio’s personal archives.

It will also shine the spotlight on Dio’s extensive charity work, including the 1986 Hear ‘n Aid compilation album he organised alongside Jimmy Bain and Vivian Campbell, plus the posthumous Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund that was launched in his honour.

Wendy said last year: “I am very excited to be working with BMG on Ronnie’s long-awaited documentary. Ronnie loved his fans and I hope they will enjoy this trip through Ronnie’s life.”

Wendy Dio has previously ruled out making a movie biopic like Bohemian Rhapsody, The Dirt and Rocketman about Ronnie James Dio’s life.

"No, I don't wanna do a biopic,” Wendy told The Metal Voice last year. “Nobody could play Ronnie, I don't think. I don't think so. I'd like to do a straightforward documentary of Ronnie's life, with lots of footage of Ronnie.

“I've got so many interviews that Ronnie did and so much stuff that I'd really like to just keep it very, very natural."

[Zzzptm]

^ That's what I would want. Not a biopic. A documentary.

Let the hologram do the biopic.

[Charger]

I hate biopics myself so I'm so glad if there'd just be a proper documentary.

Good news about the book...I do hope it'll come out soon. I'm looking forward to it. Just so damn sad that Ronnie didn't have the chance to do it all himself.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

The book comes out the end of July (27th July):

Rainbow in the Dark: The Autobiography by Ronnie James Dio, Mick Wall

I've pre-ordered my copy today

[Thelemech]

Thanks for the knowledge Kilo! I might pre-order it as well. I have been looking forward to this since I heard about it 10 years ago.

[Charger]

Need to get this one for sure!

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

My copy arrived today.

After a quick flick through, there's around 2 dozens photos and 240-ish pages of text.

[Charger]

I read somewhere it only covers up to 1986...is that true?

[Jack the Stripper]

^^^I’m a bit skeptical about how much of it are Ronnie’s words. I do remember when he passed away that he’d been working on it but the word around was that he hadn’t completed very much of it.

Anyhow I got a shipping notice from the book depository this morning that it’s been shipped so still very much looking forward to receiving it.