Dio Disciples’ Craig Goldy Wishes Vivian Campbell Would Apologize for Negative Comments
Though Ronnie James Dio passed away in 2010, there are two bands that have chosen to continue the legacy of music from Dio's self-titled band, but they may not be on the friendliest of terms.
Dio Disciples features a number of Dio's musical cohorts and they recently played a show with a Dio hologram and intend to employ it at future shows as well. Meanwhile, guitarist Vivian Campbell formed Last in Line a few years back, saluting the music of the inaugural Dio lineup. But Campbell, who had a less than amicable departure from Dio, had expressed his displeasure with Dio Disciples and has been forthcoming about his differences with Dio.
Back in June, Campbell told Big Music Geek that he felt Dio Disciples had "zero credibility" and added, "I don’t think we’re even in the same league as the Dio Disciples. None of those guys were original members of the band Dio. We’re the original band. We’re the guys who formed the band with Ronnie. Not only were in the band, but we wrote all the songs with Ronnie. If you look at the writing credits on the first three records, it was very, very much a collaborative creative venture. That’s what made the early Dio records so strong."
Speaking with SleazeRoxx, Dio Disciples guitarist Craig Goldy, who replaced Campbell in Dio, states, "It’s just unfortunate that Vivian [Campbell] has continued to say ‘vile’ things about Ronnie and us. I mean, I was in Dio with Vinnie [Appice] and I’m in another band with him [Resurrection Kings]! Just like with any family, there’s always one that holds onto a grudge forever. [Vivian]’s nice to my face. I don’t know if he says bad things behind my back? I don’t recall him saying anything ‘vile’ about me."
The guitarist continued, "Can you imagine if every Dio member that has ever been in the band got together with the same heart, soul, mind and purpose onstage or in a studio setting? That would be f--king outstanding!"
As for Campbell, Goldy says, "I wish he’d just say 'I’m sorry.' Maybe something happened behind closed doors that Vivian finds ‘unforgivable’? I just find that just so hard to believe. I don’t know what happened between the two of them but maybe he stepped over some boundaries and ‘felt the heat'? He got called on it and was let go."
Dio Disciples have discussed plans to record new material in 2017. Meanwhile, Last in Line recorded and released an album of solo material called Heavy Crown earlier this year.
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