All-Star Jam Planned for Dio Cancer Fund’s Awards Gala + Dio Disciples Launch Fall Tour

Formed shortly after the legendary singer's death two years ago, the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer research. The organization's second Awards Gala is set for Halloween night (Oct. 31) at the Avalon in Hollywood, Calif.

Performing at the ceremony will be the Dio Disciples, which includes former Dio members Craig Goldy (guitar), Simon Wright (drums) and Scott Warren (keyboards) along with vocalists Tim 'Ripper' Owens and Oni Logan and bassist Bjorn Englen.

There will also be an all-star jam session including Joey Vera (Armored Saint), Billy Morrison (Billy Idol), Glenn Hughes (Black Country Communion), Frankie Banali (Quiet Riot), Stephen Pearcy (Ratt), Joey Belladonna (Anthrax), Michael Sweet and Oz Fox (Stryper,) David 'Rock' Feinstein and members of Buckcherry.

Hughes, Banali, Pearcy, Belladonna and Feinstein are also awards presenters along with Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath) and Eddie Money. Butler's bandmate Tony Iommi, who has been battling lymphoma, will receive one of the awards. In addition, Iommi donated a Gibson prototype guitar for the event's silent auction.

The performance troupe Cirque Berzerk will also perform at the Gala, and Eddie Trunk of VH1 Classic's 'That Metal Show' will serve as emcee. General admission tickets start at $200 and are available at the organization's official site.

Dio's widow Wendy is the president and founder of the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, dedicated to cancer prevention, research and education. The organization has already raised more than $500,000. Monies raised have been committed to the cancer research work of the T. J. Martell Foundation for Cancer, AIDS and Leukemia Research and the gastric cancer research unit of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where Ronnie was treated for gastric cancer during the last six months of his life.

In related news, the aforementioned Dio Disciples kick off a North American tour tonight (Oct. 23) in Seattle. The group will be out in support of the 'The Very Beast of Dio Vol. 2' collection that recently hit store shelves. Check out the full itinerary below and click here if you'd like to purchase the CD compilation.

Dio Disciples Tour Dates:

10/23 El Corazon, Seattle WA
10/24 Hawthorne, Portland OR
10/26 Hard Rock On The Strip, Las Vegas NV
10/27 Club Red, Tempe AZ
10/28 Ventura Theater, Ventura CA
10/30 Brick By Brick, San Diego CA
10/31 Avalon Theater, Hollywood CA 2nd Annual RJD Stand Up And Shout Gala
11/03 House Of Rock, El Paso TX
11/04 Trees, Dallas TX
11/07 Underground, Sandusky OH
11/08 Pierre's , Ft. Wayne IN
11/10 Harpo's , Detroit MI
11/11 Tap House, Akron OH
11/13 Asylum, Portland ME
11/15 Starland, Sayerville NJ
11/16 The Met, Providence RI
11/17 Revolution, Amityville NY
11/18 The Chance, Poughkeepsie NY
11/20 Crocodile Rock, Allentown PA