The worldwide metal community has mourned the tragic death of the iconic vocalist Ronnie James Dio ever since he succumbed to stomach cancer at the age of 67. A year-and-a-half after Dio’s passing, some of rock and metal’s biggest names such as Rob Halford, Lemmy Kilmister and Dave Grohl have begun recording a tribute album in honor of the late singer.

The death of an icon in the metal world strikes at the core of every metalhead, but there is an added feeling as if we had lost a close friend. The feeling resonates from kids in high school rock bands to the most influential musicians on the planet. Ronnie James Dio fronted some of metal’s biggest bands such as Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Heaven and Hell and of course, Dio.

Additional musicians who will tend their talents to the upcoming tribute album include Deep Purple and former Black Sabbath members Ian Gillian and Glenn Hughes, Alice Cooper, ex-Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach and WWE superstar and Fozzy vocalist Chris Jericho.

Ronnie James Dio’s widow Wendy Dio spoke to Artisan News at last month’s Dimebash event about the creative direction of the upcoming tribute album. “I’m letting them pick what songs they wanna do in the way they wanna do it,” Wendy stated.

So far it has been revealed that Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl will be covering Black Sabbath’s ‘The Mob Rules,’ and legendary Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford will record his rendition of Rainbow’s ‘Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll.’

Watch Artisan News’ Report on the Ronnie James Dio Tribute Album

More From Highway 98.9