Many years ago I was getting out of my car to check into my hotel in Daytona Beach, FL. It was raining and very dark. I am confined to a wheelchair and was struggling to hurry with my luggage from my car when this very creepy guy runs up to me, scaring me to death, and grabbed my luggage and said, “I’ll follow you.” I checked in, with the creepy guy in two, and went to my room. He brought in my luggage and told me if I needed anything to call him in his room. He gave me the details, and invited me for a drink in the bar. Reluctantly I said OK figuring I owed the guy a drink. When we entered the bar, EVERYONE looked...It was then I found out he was Ronnie James Deo. He gave me back stage ticket to his show and provided me a ride with him in his limo....I have never met a nicer person in my entire life. RIP, my friend...
Thanks for sharing your story. I just copied it and sent it to Mr. trisham. When I told him Ronnie James Dio had passed away, he was very saddened.
What a great story!
Thank you for sharing such a great story. I’ve always admired his voice; now you’ve given me reason to admire the man even more.
RIP, Mr. Dio.
Wow...what a story. You need to share that one with the people who are writing his obit.
What a great story.
Thanks for telling us your story.
You know, come to think of it, I think you should send your story to Dio’s family. I bet they would really appreciate hearing about it. I mean that. They’ll get thousands of “rock god” emails and letters, but your will mean much more.
Please consider it.
Thanks for sharing that. I saw him 3x, once in Austria, and every show was great. This is so sad.
Devane617,
I posted your anecdote on Ronnie James Dio’s official Facebook page. Its a great story that deserves to be shared.
What an amazing yet not surprising story.
I enjoyed your story. Thanks for sharing it with us.
This is very sad news. He was one of my all-time favorite metal singers. I loved all of his work, but I have a special place in my heart for Rainbow (hence my screen name).
RIP Ronnie. There will never be another like you.
Like a rainbow in the dark?
On the morning talk radio show I listen to Mike Huckabee opened the Huckabee report, mentioned FR and you then read your post word for word. Just thought you would like to know.
Your posting (and a mention of FreeRepublic) made it on today’s Huckabee Report on the radio. Seems he liked the good Samaritan aspect of your story.
Radio Time offers free streaming audio of different stations, you may find a time you can hear it...
http://radiotime.com/program/p_181881/The_Huckabee_Report.aspx
It’s like a modern day “Paul Harvey” 5 minute program.
I couldn’t get the audio from his own “ondemand” link to play
http://radio.mikehuckabee.com/
Wow...what a wonderful story! Got tears in my eyes...
What a great story. I have no idea who this guy is, but I’m going to google him. Sounds like a diamond in the rough.
I saw him with Black Sabbath too, but his Rainbow gig was my favorite.