Jimmy Kay and Alan Dixon from Canada’s The Metal Voice interviewed former DIO Keyboardist Claude Schnell. Claude Schnell Talks Last In Line, Sacred Heart and Dream Evil recording sessions, guitarist Vivian Campbell’s contribution to Dio and his exit, the tensions on the recording of Lock up the Wolves and his thoughts on the Dio Hologram and Dio Disciples.

Watch the interview here:

When asked about the songwriting, publishing and why Ronnie stated all lyrics and melodies were written by him
“Quick lesson in publishing when it comes to the rights of a song they are based entirely on two things, the melodies and the lyrics. I think and suspect cause Ronnie got the short end of the stick in much of the Rainbow credits as well as possibly Sabbath, the omnipresence of Ronnie James Dio on all lyrics and melodies by him was to get it out of the way that it was his project, every word, every note and it was his own band Dio. Ronnie wrote the lyrics and the melodies and as far as the music went everyone in the band would contribute. Most of that stuff qualifies as arrangement.”

When asked if Dio was a band or solo project
“It’s semantics, it’s subject to interpretation for better or worse for the first three albums 1983-1986 we were a band there is no question about it . A band isn’t determined by who gets paid what. What makes a band has to do with hanging out and mutual respect. On the first three records I was just a salary player but regardless of who says otherwise I was in a band.”

When asked about Vinnie Appice’s and Vivian Campbell’s business relationship with Ronnie
“For as much as I was led to believe that what I would get early on and didn’t, as frustrated as I was about it I found my solace when I found out what Vinnie was promised. So as bad as I felt about not getting whatever it was in terms of money. I could only imagine being in Vinnie Appice’s shoes being promised the world and not getting it. The people who usually speak up the most are the people who have the least to lose. Ronnie used to say that musicians in L.A. bands are basically interchangeable parts of a jigsaw puzzle. You don’t want to stir shit or make waves if you don’t want to lose your meal ticket. Enter Vivian who came from a wealthy family. So as far as Vivian was concerned the money we has getting paid by Ronnie was less than most famous bands.”

When asked about Vivan Campbell being replaced by Craig Goldy on the Sacred heart tour and Dream Evil album
“On the one hand Craig is a very accomplished guitar player but we all felt that that Vivian was treated very badly, not so much by Ronnie but it was obvious those decisions were being handled by Wendy Dio. Vivian was basically set up and he was put in a position where the only thing he could do was the exact thing that would get him kicked out of the band. When it came to pass Wendy was trying to get Craig into the band and Vivian got unceremoniously let go. In my humble opinion for no real fault of his own.”

When asked about to Vivan Campbell joining Def Leppad and Ronnie’s reaction
“That’s an interesting thing for Ronnie to react negative to Vivian joining Def Leppard after paying him far below his market value, then you fault him for getting a gig making ten times he was making in Dio. For whatever Def Leppard is or isn’t as far as music is concerned they are a machine, they will be a legendary band that will never be forgotten and for Vivian to be a part of that I think it was a very good move for him. I think the best move for Vivian and for all of us would have been if we had stayed together had Wendy allowed a more equitable split so we can all have a living wage and allow the band to develop in way bands used to develop back in the day. Not to take anything away from Craig but I think that Dream Evil would have been a better record if Vivian was playing on it. ”

When asked why he left Dio after Dream Evil during Lock up the Wolves
“The guitar player that we wanted to replaced Craig with, when I say we I mean Vinnie, Jimmy and I all unanimously agreed that we wanted a guitar player by the name of Gary Howey for the band. Gary auditioned for us and he was amazing, I don’t think the band sounded better. The three of us were convinced Ronnie was going to love this guy. After Gary left after the audition, Ronnie came into the studio and said , guys you are going to hate me for this but I found the guitarist, Rowan Robertson. You could just hear our collective hearts fall. Given that we were stuck with a guitar player we didn’t want Ronnie’s choice in Rowan was somewhat uninspiring and as badly as the rehearsals were going Rowan was having a very hard time in the beginning keeping up with the pressure that Ronnie puts everybody through. Rown was having a hard time keeping up and tensions were building and building. Jimmy got fired, Ronnie seemed terribly upset with Rowans performance, the songs were lukewarm at best and I didn’t want to be in band where Jimmy and Vinnie we not going to be in. ”

When asked about his thought on the Dio Hologram and Dio Disciples
“It just isn’t about Ronnie anymore, they can say it’s about keeping Ronnie’s music alive but nobody made any holograms of the Beetles and their music is still alive. I think their decisions are based more pragmatic concerns. You got a bunch of guys who can’t find gigs, they are managed by the same woman who has contact all around the world with agencies and promoters. And what can be a more natural thing then to take out of work musicians and putting them on tour and making a little money. Don’t get me wrong not to take anything away from these guys they all do a great job and if the fans are happy about it that’s all that matters. But you are not asking me what the fans thing you are asking me what I think.”

Claude Schnell (17 May 1958, Brooklyn, New York) is an American keyboardist who has been a member of the bands Magic, Rough Cutt, Dio, and Last in Line. He also played on the Y&T album Down for the Count.

Claude Schnell’s discography with Dio

The Last in Line (1984)
Sacred Heart (1985)
Intermission (1986)
Dream Evil (1987)
Finding The Sacred Heart: Live In Philly 1986 (2013)