Ronnie James Dio Hologram Show To Begin U.S. Tour In May
By Andrew Magnotta @AndrewMagnotta
April 9, 2019
The controversial new Ronnie James Dio hologram production is finally coming to American audiences this spring.
The American leg of the "Dio Returns" world tour kicks of May 31 in Ft. Myers, Florida, and wraps up June 29 in Las Vegas for 18 total performances.
Following a brief test run in Europe in 2017, Dio's wife and longtime manager Wendy Dio said the show needed to go "back to the drawing board" to smooth out some imperfections. Still, Wendy raved about Eyellusion's hologram, noting that it is an entirely respectful celebration of her late-husband, who died of stomach cancer in 2010.
The show features the hologram with vocals taken from some of Ronnie's greatest live performances. Holo-Ronnie is also backed by a band of musicians who played with him in Dio, including drummer Simon Wright, bassist Bjorn Englen, keyboardist Scott Warren and guitarist Craig Goldy.
Former Judas Priest front man Tim "Ripper" Owens and former Lynch Mob front man Oni Logan are also featured in the show.
Eyellusion CEO Jeff Pezzuti said last fall that he expects the Dio hologram show to do over 100 shows this year.
Tickets for all live dates go on sale Friday, April 12 at 10 a.m. local time.
Dio Returns U.S. Tour 2019
May 31 - Ft. Myers, FL @ Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall
June 01 - Orlando, FL @ The Plaza Live
June 02 - St. Petersburg, FL @ Palladium Theatre
June 03 - Atlanta, GA @ Vinyl at Center Stage
June 06 - Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
June 07 - Glenside, PA @ Keswick Theatre
June 08 - Asbury Park, NJ @ Paramount Theatre
June 09 - Huntington, NY @ The Paramount
June 11 - Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore
June 12 - Grand Rapids, MI @ 20 Monroe Live
June 14 - St. Charles, IL @ The Arcada Theatre
June 15 - St. Paul, MN @ Myth
June 16 - Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theater
June 19 - Kansas City, MO @ Uptown Theater
June 20 - Oklahoma City, OK @ The Criterion
June 21 - Dallas, TX @ Bomb Factory
June 28 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
June 29 - Las Vegas, NV @ Brooklyn Bowl
Photo: Getty Images