Ronnie James Dio: This Is Your Life has got to be the best cover compilation that has come out so far this year, and it couldn’t be for a better cause (with all the proceeds going to the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up & Shout Cancer Fund). Corey Taylor chose to coverRainbow In The Dark and I’m struggling to pick whether I prefer his version or the original.Corey took some time to hang out withMedia Mikes and talk about his contribution to the album and the influence that Ronnie James Dio had on him. Check it out!
Adam Lawton:What was your first exposure to Dio?
Corey Taylor:I got in to Dio when I was still quite young. I remember seeing the video for Rainbow in the Dark on MTV. That was my first taste of Dio. It wasnt until years later that I realized he had this whole career with Rainbow and Black Sabbath and even going back to Elf. When I saw that video it instantly became one of my favorite songs. There was just so much power and clarity in Ronnies voice. It was like he could sing anything. When I went back years later and really explored his catalog I found his voice to be just so vibrant and he really became one of my favorite singers.
AL:Did yours and Ronnies paths ever cross?
CT:They did. I actually met and got to spend time with him shortly before he passed away. We met at the Golden God Awards as we were both up for best vocalist. I never really root for myself at these things so I was rooting for Ronnie like crazy. I wanted to him to win really badly and he did. I was back stage doing an interview and Ronnie walked up so we in a sense hijacked him in to this interview. Ronnie was everything I wanted him to be. He was just so cool and gracious. Even at the end he was fighting. It was really awesome to feel that from him. There was a mutual respect that he didnt have to put out there. I told him I was a big fan and he replied Like Wise. That lit me up like the fourth of July. It was very cool. I had seen him perform live a handful of times but to get to meet him like that meant the world to me. I was just crushed when he passed.
AL:How did you get involved with being a part of the tribute album?
CT:I was asked though Jay Ruston who was the overall project director on this album. He and I have worked together in the past and are good friends. I was actually at his place writing when he mentioned his involvement with the project and that Ronnies wife Wendy wanted me to be involved. I was instantly in! I didnt really want to go through the channels of selling either band on it so I decided I would put together a band full of my friends. Once I got the ok to do that I made sure I had enough time to work on the project and that we were doing this in the right spirit. Being a huge fan of Ronnie and of his music I wanted to make sure I paid proper tribute to him.
AL:What do you feel is the biggest factor in Ronnies ongoing appeal?
CT:I think its a lot of different things. He was so good at fitting in with ever who he was playing with. He had his own style but I think he was able to elevate the music to another level. Ronnies material has a natural life to it which is something a lot of music from that same time period is missing. Not to say that some of those bands arent great but Ronnie had this consistency to take things to that next level and put it over. I think thats why people keep coming back and rediscovering Ronnies work. I dont think we will ever see an end to his legacy.
AL:Can you give us any updates related to the new Slipknot album?
CT:All I can say is that Slipknot is working on an album. I will be doing a couple one off shows with Stone Sour this summer but after those are done it will be pretty much all go and no quite with Slipknot.
Check out the rest of the interview atMedia Mikes
