God Loves Everyone, Including Ronnie James Dio

The life and music of heavy metal music legend Ronnie James Dio will be celebrated with a public memorial at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills this Sunday, May 30th at 2pm at the cemetery's Hall Of Liberty. The celebration, which I hear could draw upwards of 2,000 to 5,000 people and will include a ton of music, is "open to all of his friends and fans from around the world" according to the announcement on his official website. 

Ronnie James Dio (Image Courtesy of MetalMartyr.com)

The hate-monger cretins at Westboro Baptist Church seem to think that includes them and their ridiculous protesting.

Well isn't that special?

"I would imagine, if they do show up, there is going to be a problem," commented guitarist Slash via his Facebook and Twitter.

Ronnie's wife, Wendy, responded succinctly via Ronnie's website: "Ronnie hates prejudice and violence! We need to turn the other cheek on these people that only know how to hate someone they didn't know. We only know how to love someone we know!"

Wesboro's website appears to be down as of this writing. Thankfully, Ultimate-Guitar.com captured the illiterate ramblings of the Fred Phelps clan on why RJD is a target. My favorite: "his fellowship with those pentagon (sic) necklace wearing freakish band members." All those protests at war hero funerals seem to be adding to their inane confusion.

The Phelps Family. ORLY? Sez you. (News Photo)

Also at issue: "the little finger horn thing"....

Just like Grandma (Image Courtesy Hard Rock Hideout)

Technically, it's called corna, Italian for horned hand and traditionally used to ward off evil, which might come in handy this weekend. Read more about the history of the corna at The Devil's Horn's: A Rock And Roll Symbol, an informative Ultimate-Guitar.com page that sets the record straight:

As (Ronnie) himself put it in a 2001 interview “I was in Sabbath at the time. It was a symbol that I thought was reflective of what that band was supposed to be all about. It's not the devil's sign like we're here with the devil. It's an Italian thing I got from my Grandmother.”

Sources in my underground network tell me that a private funeral service will be held prior to the public memorial and that Ronnie will be entombed in a sarcophagus in the FLHH Courts of Remembrance section at an undisclosed date and time.

I don't know which sarcophagus but the photo below shows a portion of said courts. The sarcophagus on the right was inaccurately rumored to have been purchased for Michael Jackson last summer. A recreation of Bertel Thorvaldsen's Christus also is here.

Update 5/30: Ronnie's private funeral was held yesterday and it has been confirmed that his casket will be at the public memorial today. Expect to see many stars from the heavy metal world in attendance. Later, it's been confirmed, he will be entombed in the erstwhile Jackson Three Children sarcophagus in the Courts of Remembrance.

Good news to fans who wish to pay respects to him in the future. Nearby notable crypts include Sandra Dee, Albert "Cubby" Broccoli, Isabel Sanford, Morey Amsterdam, Freddie Prinze Sr., George Raft, Liberace, Charles Laughton, Andy Gibb, Lou Rawls and Bette Davis.  Read more about this specific sarcophagus from a story I wrote last summer.

I've sat under this particular Jesus many tmes and never once did I pick up the vibe that God hates anyone. Just sayin', Fred.

Since Forest Lawn is private property, don't expect to see Westboro anywhere near the Hall of Liberty. The closest they can get is outside the gates on Forest Lawn Dr. where they'll be under the jurisdiction of the LAPD. And motorists.

I'll be tweeting updates from the memorial, so stay tuned.

Ronnie passed away on Sunday evening, May 16th, in Houston, after a valiant six-month battle against stomach cancer. A tour was canceled after his diagnosis in November but he planned to return to making music once he'd beaten the disease. Click here to see an interview he and Wendy did in March with 39News in Houston as he was undergoing chemotherapy.

Wendy has asked that in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to The Ronnie James Dio "Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund" ~ send checks or money orders made out to the organization c/o Niji Entertainment Group, 12400 Ventura Blvd. #837, Studio City, CA 91604 USA. Credit or debit card payments may be made via PayPal via a direct link on Ronnie's official site.

A limited amount of Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout t-shirts will available at the memorial for a minimum donation of $25.00 each. All proceeds from the shirts will go to the charity. (Cash and checks only, no credit or debit cards for this on-site fundraiser.)

Another worthwhile charity to consider is Children of the Night, dedicated to assisting children between the ages of 11 and 17 who are forced to prostitute on the streets for food to eat and a place to sleep. Wendy is the current chair of its board of directors.

I believe in a Rock 'N Roll Heaven. Rock on Ronnie and rest in peace.♥

Crank it. Video courtesy of MetalRocker77:

Comments

[Anne]

Rest in peace Sir. You are now surrounded by peace and angels. So long.

[cade]

Thanks for this, Lisa.

As someone who grew up and went to college just down the road from Westboro, I am well familiar with their antics. I have run into them on several occassions as they reminding me and my classmates that God hated our production of West Side Story. Heck, they even protested a concert that the campus Christian group I belonged to at the time put on. They're nuts. One of my friends' father was the first funeral they ever protested. His family and the Phelpses went back quite a ways and his mom and dad used to "infiltrate" their pickets with signs that read "God is love." The Phelpsies didn't like that too much.

It's unfortunate that they now have national notoriety.

[Liz]

Hey Lisa,
I've awarded you the "Happy 101" blog badge. If you would like to read about it and/or pick it up for your blog, you can here:
http://mybigfatfamilyblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/happy-101-and-my-aunt-marthas-birthday.html
Happy long weekend!
Liz

[Merry]

FYI - went to visit Dio's grave today. The gatekeepers at Forest Lawn state it is the park's policy NOT to give out the burial locations of celebrities. They would not confirm or deny the above location under the mural of the 3 kids, however there is a huge red rose pallet of flowers on top of the tomb. The gatekeepers also state "it is the family's wishes to keep the fans away from the site and from leaving flowers here..." Direct quote! Wonder what RJD and WD would think of this?

[Dave Nelson]

These God squad people protest anything that they don't understand. Dio was an Entertainer thats it. His voice will be miss R.I.P Ronny.

[Eric Schiffer Fan]

Another legend passing on. Thanks for the music and the memories...

[John Marques Bristol Ct.]

RonnieJamesDio Was The mostunique and talented musician on The Planet. i started Listening to His music @ the age of 12 and it was all over FRom there.I never missed a show,ive seen him perform 26 times.I can honestly say his music touched me in such a way it changed my life.i could feel and hear the roar of his powerful voice.and @ times the softer side with
"This is my life"That was a Very touching and beautiful song I only wished he did another of the same.it brought tears to "My Eyes" God Bless you RJD and Thank You For the great times and memories that will last a lifetime. RIP my freind if there is a thereafter i can only pray 2 meet Thank you for the memories. John M

[Mike Brett]

"Evil woman, look out tonight!"