The Ronnie James Dio version of Black Sabbath hit the Brendan Byrne Arena at the Meadowlands in New Jersey in August, 1982 with opener Johnny Van Zant Band. Ronnie James Dio would move on to front the band Dio; Johnny Van Zant would latrr tour with Lynyrd Skynyrd keeping their brand of southern rock alive for fans to enjoy for decades (Skynyrd’s “farewell tour” was interrupted by the pandemic and continues on to this day). I only went to the Brendan Byrne Arena on a few occasions, most notably a Neil Young & Crazy Horse tour which got me in video full frame during “F*!#in’ Up” and years later for an all star lineup with the Love for Levon concert. I also got to see the Black Sabbath line up with Dio at Radio City Music Hall as Heaven and Hell when there was a dispute over using the Black Sabbath name. Ronnie James Dio passed away a few years ago from stomach cancer but his legacy as one of the great heavy metal singers and lyricists lives on.

The Devil Cried

Rock on!

GQ