MEGADETH's ELLEFSON, DROVER Pay Tribute To RONNIE JAMES DIO; Audio Available

May 19, 2010

MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson and drummer Shawn Drover were were interviewed for a special Ronnie James Dio tribute edition of "The Metal File" podcast from Montreal's CHOM-FM. The 84-minute podcast is available for download as an MP3 audio file at this location. The Ellefson and Drover interviews can also be streamed using the audio players below.

David Ellefson on Ronnie James Dio:

Shawn Drover on Ronnie James Dio:

David Ellefson recently had the following to say regarding Dio's passing: "He was truly one of the 'good guys' in this business and a consummate pro, someone we can all take a que and learn from. We are all fans of his and he did many great things for MEGADETH and its members, starting starting as far back as his 'Dream Evil' North American tour in which we were the support band during the 'So Far, So Good...So What' tour. . . I'm very thankful to have gotten to know and tour with him in both MEGADETH and with Tim 'Ripper' Owens [former JUDAS PRIEST and current YNGWIE MALMSTEEN vocalist]. Wendy Dio [Ronnie's wife/manager] looked after Ripper's European tour where we played several shows with HEAVEN & HELL and we got to have many good moments with Ronnie during that tour. He is missed by us all."

Shawn Drover added: "I had the pleasure of touring both Canada and America in 2007 when MEGADETH toured with HEAVEN & HELL (BLACK SABBATH in my eyes) and I swear to you [Ronnie] is one of the nicest human beings I have ever met, period. Many a night on that tour, Glen [Drover, then-MEGADETH guitarist] and myself would have amazing conversations with Ronnie about his career, etc. fully knowing he had probably told these stories 10,000 times to people and yet he answered every question I had with a big smile. I can recall so many times making eye contact with Glen sharing the exact same thought: 'Dude, I can't believe we are hanging with RONNIE JAMES DIO!!!!!'

"If you are lucky enough in your lifetime to actually meet one of your idols (let alone tour with them) and they turn out to be even nicer than you could have envisioned, that is something you would truly treasure. Lucky for me, I will cherish those memories forever."

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