Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

by Ali Blackdiamond

To read Part 1, visit this location

To read Part 2, visit this location

Ronnie’s Charity Work

As many of you will know, Ronnie did an awful lot of charity work, he was the kind of man who wanted to help people as much as he could, and he did just that.

Ronnie, along with Jimmy and Vivian from Dio decided to put together a heavy metal style fundraiser for Africa’s famine relief, as they found there was a lack of contribution from the metal world, to go alongside projects such as UK’s Band Aid and USA For Africa.
So the three of them wrote ‘Stars’.

The project included many ‘stars’ from the rock and metal world (listed below) and was recorded in May 1985 at the A + M Studios in Hollywood, California.

The lead vocals were shared by several people – Ronnie James Dio, Rob Halford, Geoff Tate, Dave Meniketti, Kevin DuBrow, Paul Shortino, Don Dokken and Eric Bloom.
Iron Maiden’s Adrian Smith were touring at the time on their ‘World Slavery Tour’, so they flew in specially to record their parts for the project.
A documentary was also recorded and released when the single was, which was in both 7” and 12” format.

Artists

Vocals
• Eric Bloom (Blue Öyster Cult)
• Ronnie James Dio (Dio)
• Don Dokken (Dokken)
• Kevin DuBrow (Quiet Riot)
• Rob Halford (Judas Priest)
• Dave Meniketti (Y&T)
• Paul Shortino (Rough Cutt)
• Geoff Tate (Queensrÿche)

Backing Vocals

• Tommy Aldridge (Ozzy Osbourne)
• Dave Alford (Rough Cutt)
• Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge/King Kobra)
• Vinny Appice (Dio)
• Jimmy Bain (Dio)
• Frankie Banali (Quiet Riot)
• Mick Brown (Dokken)
• Vivian Campbell (Dio)
• Carlos Cavazo (Quiet Riot)
• Amir Derakh (Rough Cutt)
• Buck Dharma (Blue Öyster Cult)
• Brad Gillis (Night Ranger)
• Craig Goldy (Giuffria)
Chris Hager (Rough Cutt)

                                    
• Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P.)
• Blackie Lawless (W.A.S.P.)
• George Lynch (Dokken)
• Yngwie Malmsteen
• Mick Mars (Mötley Crüe)
• Michael McKean (David St. Hubbins of Spinal Tap)
• Vince Neil (Mötley Crüe)
• Ted Nugent
• Eddie Ojeda (Twisted Sister)
• Jeff Pilson (Dokken)
• Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot)
• Claude Schnell (Dio)
• Neal Schon (Journey)
• Harry Shearer (Derek Smalls of Spinal Tap)
• Mark Stein (Vanilla Fudge)
• Matt Thorr (Rough Cutt)

Lead Guitar Solos
• Vivian Campbell (Dio)                                                                                                    
• Carlos Cavazo (Quiet Riot)
• Buck Dharma (Blue Öyster Cult)
• Brad Gillis (Night Ranger)
• Craig Goldy (Giuffria)
• George Lynch (Dokken)
• Yngwie Malmsteen
• Eddie Ojeda (Twisted Sister)
• Neal Schon (Journey)
Rhythm Guitar Melody Lines
• Dave Murray (Iron Maiden)
• Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden)
Bass
• Jimmy Bain (Dio)
Drums
• Vinny Appice (Dio)
• Frankie Banali (Quiet Riot)
Keyboards
• Claude Schnell (Dio)

A compilation album was also released featuring live tracks by Motorhead, Kiss, Accept, Dio, Rush and Scorpions, track listing below.

Stars
1. “Stars” Dio, V. Campbell, Bain
Hear ‘n Aid
2. “Up to the Limit (live)”
Hoffmann, Kaufmann, Baltes, Fischer, Dirkschneider, Deaffy
Accept

3. “On the Road (live)”
Burston, Kilmister, P. Campbell, Gill
Motörhead

4. “Distant Early Warning (live)”
Lifeson, Lee, Peart
Rush

5. “Heaven’s on Fire (live)”
Stanley, Child
Kiss

6. “Can You See Me”
Hendrix
The Jimi Hendrix Experience

7. “Hungry for Heaven (live)”
Dio, Bain Dio

8. “Go for the Throat”
Meniketti, Alves, Kennemore, Haze
Y&T

9. “The Zoo (live)”

The Stars project was said to raise one million dollars within a year.

The video below shows an interview with Ronnie discussing the Stars project on the Monsters Of Rock cable show in 1985 –

The following video shows the Stars video –

A rare live recording of Stars in California from 1987 –

Children Of The Night

Ronnie was involved in this charity for many years. They are a privately funded organisation ‘established in 1987 dedicated to rescuing America’s children from the ravages of prostitution.’ (mission statement)

The organisation is run by Dr Lois Lee and the dedicated team offer long term support during the children’s stay and for as long as is needed after they leave, through the ‘Alumni Programme.’

They also may help with finding jobs or financial assistance for books and school supplies.

Further details can be found at this location

Some of the information gathered from Wikipedia and Chidren Of The Night websites.