The Ronnie James Dio hologram will perform live alongside classic Dio members and special guest vocalists this summer when the Dio Returns tour hits cities across the country, with more dates to be revealed soon.

First unveiled at Wacken Open Air 2016, the iridescent likeness of the late vocalist who variously fronted Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell and his namesake act, Dio, is the creation of hologram production outfit Eyellusion. The company's CEO, Jeff Pezzuti, touted the marvel of the Dio hologram in a press release.

"Ronnie James Dio was not only known for his amazing vocals, but also his incredible stage shows," the Eyellusion head said. "This show is a must see for all fans of Ronnie, new and old. The new stage production we have created plus the brand new Ronnie James Dio hologram have to be seen to be believed."

On the special tour, Dio Disciples vocalists Tim “Ripper” Owens and Oni Logan will be backed by guitarist Craig Goldy, drummer Simon Wright, keyboardist Scott Warren and bassist Bjorn Englen, instrumentalists who were members of Dio’s final lineup before the singer's death in 2010, save the latter.

In 2017, Dio Returns launched a number of performances in Europe. Shortly thereafter, Halestorm's Lzzy Hale discussed the Dio hologram, saying she didn't consider it disrespectful "as long as his family is cool with it." The issue of respect in reviving dead artists via hologram has come up in public discourse before, perhaps most notably when rapper Tupac Shakur was resurrected by way of a holographic image at Coachella in 2012.

Below, see the upcoming Dio Returns dates after the official tour trailer.

Dio Returns 2019 U.S. Tour Dates

May 31 — Ft. Myers, Fla. @ Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall
June 1 — Orlando, Fla. @ The Plaza Live
June 2 — St. Petersburg, Fla. @ Palladium Theatre
June 3 — Atlanta, Ga. @ Vinyl at Center Stage
June 6 — Worcester, Mass. @ The Palladium
June 7 — Glenside, Pa, @ Keswick Theatre
June 8 — Asbury Park, N.J. @ Paramount Theatre
June 9 — Huntington, N.Y. @ The Paramount
June 11 — Detroit, Mich. @ The Fillmore
June 12 — Grand Rapids, Mich. @ 20 Monroe Live
June 14 — St. Charles, Ill. @ The Arcada Theatre
June 15 — St. Paul, Minn. @ Myth
June 16 — Milwaukee, Wis. @ Pabst Theater
June 19 — Kansas City, Mo. @ Uptown Theater
June 20 — Oklahoma City, Okla. @ The Criterion
June 21 — Dallas, Texas @ Bomb Factory
June 28 — Los Angeles, Calif. @ The Wiltern
June 29 — Las Vegas, Nev. @ Brooklyn Bowl

Dio Returns 2019 Tour
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