So, um... Ripper is the new lead singer for Dio?

They're going under the name Dio Disciples...

To confirm what Shawn of Fire said:



Former Dio members Rudy Sarzo (bass), Simon Wright (drums), Craig Goldy (guitar) and Scott Warren (keyboards) will be joined by singers Tim "Ripper" Owens (Yngwie Malmsteen, Judas Priest, Iced Earth) and Toby Jepson ((Little Angels, Fastway) to play a number of shows in Europe under the name Dio Disciples. However, due to Rudy Sarzo’s commitment to Blue Oyster Cult., bassist James LoMenzo (White Lion, Megadeth) will join the band for their European dates until Sarzo fulfills his commitment to B.O.C..


Commented Ronnie James Dio's widow and manager Wendy: "There will never be another Ronnie, but we want to keep his music alive and hope you will support the band and become one of the Dio Disciples. We will [announce] the U.K./European tour dates as they are confirmed, and we are planning some U.S. dates also. Hope to see you at one of the shows."


Wendy Dio recently revealed to AOL's Noisecreep that Rob Halford (Judas Priest), Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Black Country Communion), Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters, Nirvana), Lemmy Kimister (Motörhead), Alice Cooper, Sebastian Bach (Skid Row) and Chris Jericho (Fozzy) are among some of the artists who will appear on a forthcoming tribute album to Ronnie. Grohl will re-record Black Sabbath hit "Mob Rules" and Halford will take on "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll." Cooper already has a song in mind, going back to the Elf days, according to Wendy.


"Rainbow In The Dark: The Autobiography Of Ronnie James Dio," the revealing memoir of the heavy metal master, will be published in the spring of 2012 via MTV Books.

Interesting. I normally don't care too much about tribute albums,but that one may be worth getting.