Photos By Brooke Striewski

Back in late 2006, I had been a new father for just over half a year when I ventured out to Ormond Beach, FL for Biketoberfest to catch Quiet Riot and Skid Row – two bands I loved while growing up that many of my middle/high school peers would surely give me flack for still rocking out to at the height of grunge and nu metal (Though I never cared much what anyone else thought). It ended up being one of the funniest shows I had ever been to up to that point, and I’ll forever be grateful to have seen the late legends Kevin DuBrow and Frankie Banali on stage together prior to their unfortunate, respective passings since.

Twenty years later, and a lot has certainly changed. But I knew when I saw Quiet Riot were coming to the Hard Rock Live in Orlando with Vixen in tow on Friday, March 6 (coincidentally one year to the day since I was also discharged from the hospital), it was time to finally catch the band live again, this time with my wife and Photographer Brooke beside me for the ride, too, who was ready to once again break out her SLR camera again for the occasion. (As crazy as the first week of March might have started out for us, too.) And after putting in a last-minute request, we got the “okay” from none other than Quiet Riot guitarist Alex Grossi himself (the only remaining member of the band left from said time I caught them back in ’06 who I also interviewed for Rewind It Magazine back in 2021), we were all set to go. (Thank you again, Alex.)

Almost immediately after entering the building it was clear that we had made the right decision to go. While preparing to start photographing the show from the side of the stage, Brooke ran into longtime (and legendary) Quiet Riot bassist Rudy Sarzo, whose initial time in the band stretches all the way back to the late ’70s, and recently returned to the lineup in 2021. Sarzo – who also served some time in both Ozzy Osbourne’s band and Whitesnake in the ’80s, and has also had stints with the likes of Dio and Blue Oyster Cult, among so many others – was no doubt one of the major selling points for us to go that night in the first place (Especially yours truly, having come from the school of bass players myself.)

Another group that we’ve caught live before who have also experienced some significant lineup changes since the last time we saw them back in 2019 (opening for Sebastian Bach, ironically at the very same venue), the always-lovely Vixen, who now featured new lead singer Rosa Laricchiuta, and temporary bassist Jennifer Jo Oberle filling in for Julia Lage. (Who is currently on tour oversees with Smith/Kotzen, and admittedly I was a bit disappointed to find out was not there, though Oberle no doubt did an admirable job in her place).

Vixen on stage at the Hard Rock Live in Orlando, FL on Friday, March 6. (Photo by Brooke Striewski.)

The gals kicked off the night with plenty of energy though, opening with “Rev It Up” before launching into “Charmed Life,” “How Much Love,” “Crusin’,” “Hard 16,” and “Cryin’.” A medley featuring parts of “Runnin’ with the Devil,” “I Want You to Rock Me,’ “Perfect Strangers,” “What You’re Doing,” “War Pigs,” and “Still of the Night” kept the momentum going before a drum solo from Roxy Petrucci lead them back to “I Want You to Rock Me.”

Yet the girls were still far from finished, with “Streets in Paradise, “Love is a Killer,” “Not a Minute Too Soon,” “You Ought to Know By Now,” “Love Made Me,” and of course, “Edge of a Broken Heart” all finally wrapping up their whopping seventy-five minute long set.

By the time Quiet Riot hit the stage the excitement was undeniable. The previously mentioned Sarzo and Grossi were now joined by another former Rewind It interveiwee, Jizzy Pearl of Love/Hate (another band whose show we covered some years back in 2018), and drummer Johnny Kelly of Type O Negative and Danzig fame. (Who I was also lucky enough to catch on stage with both acts in the past in the ’90s and ’00s.)

Bass icon Rudy Sarzo commanded the stage with Quiet Riot at the Hard Rock Live this past Friday, March 6 (Photo by Brooke Striewski).

In an instant the entire audience was transported back in time with the likes of “Run For Cover,” “Slick Black Cadillac,” “Mama Weer All Crazee Now,” and “Love’s a Bitch,” all paving the way for what was still to come. The tender “Thunderbird” was then introduced and then dedicated not only to late guitarist Randy Rhodes (who the song was originally penned for after his tragic death in the early ’80s), but also DuBrow, Banali, and another former Sarzo bandmate, Mr. Ozzy Osbourne himself.

“Party All Night,” “Blackout in the Red Room,” and “The Wild and the Young” all kept the party going before the guys unleashed a medley of their own that featured “Let’s Get Crazy,” “Crazy Train,” a guitar solo from Grossi that segued into Van Halen’s “Eruption,” and a touch of Type O Negative’s “Black No. 1 (Little Miss Scare-All)” before coming full circle back into “Let’s Get Crazy” again.

By that point, there was not much more left to do other than the one-two punch of “Cum On Feel the Noize” and “Metal Health (Bang Your Head).” No doubt it was a night full of fun and classic anthems, but there’s more to it than just that; each time bands like Quiet Riot and Vixen hit the stage, they’re keeping not only the music itself alive, but also the memories of all those those who had a hand it helping to create it.

Album Review: Revolution Saints – Against The Winds (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)

By: Jesse Striewski

Often times many “supergroups” may sound good on paper, but end up just feeling forced and/or just plain forgettable. Such is not the case with Revolution Saints, who, now four albums in, seem to be hitting their stride.Founded and fronted by Journey drummer extraordinaire Deen Castronovo, the group is currently rounded out by Whitesnake/former Night Ranger guitarist Joel Hoekstra, and Foreigner/former Dokken and Dio (and recent Rewind It interviewee) bassist Jeff Pilson.

Things start off a little on the safe side with the somewhat basic title track, but quickly progress with the likes of “Changing My Mind,” “Fall On My Knees,” and the ballad “Can’t End It Right Now,” all of which deserving to be modern hits in their own right (if only radio these days didn’t focus on just the same classic “hits” unfortunately).

Journey’s obvious influence definitely shines all the way through to the ending track “No Turning Back,” and fans of their music should have no problem whatsoever adapting to the sound of Revolution Saints (I certainly haven’t); give it a fair try and you might just be surprised with the results.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Interview with Foreigner/Revolution Saints/The End Machine/ex-Dokken/Dio Bassist Jeff Pilson By Jesse Striewski

For many years now, bassist Jeff Pilson has been someone I’ve held much respect for (as one bass player to another), and has been on my radar to interview for quite some time now. But with someone with as many fires consistently burning as Pilson has, that is not always an easy feat. Currently, Pilson is still rocking stages with classic rockers Foreigner, and has two new albums soon to drop with both “supergroups” Revolution Saints, and The End Machine.

My patience finally paid off this past Tuesday, January 30, when I was finally able to sit down and speak with Jeff regarding all of the previously-mentioned projects of his, as well as touch upon other aspects of his storied career, including playing in such other legendary acts as Dokken and Dio.

With new music from Revolution Saints looming on the horizon, I wanted to jump right on the subject of that group right away, and asked a little about how his involvement with them initially came about. He explained; “It was a project originally conceived by (Frontiers President and mastermind) Serafino Perugino, and just one of those things that I just couldn’t resist. I had already met and worked with (Whitesnake guitarist) Joel Hoekstra over the years, and (Journey drummer) Deen Castronovo is just a total powerhouse in everything he does. It’s all come together fairly organically, and definitely looking forward to the new album.” (Against the Winds will be dropping via Frontiers Music s.r.l. on February 9.)

Having a chance to already preview said upcoming album, I personally had a favorite track from it in mind already, and wondered if Jeff possibly had one as well. He told me; “I wouldn’t say I necessarily have a favorite track per se, since I tend to gauge things as a whole. I’d say the entire record is really solid overall.”

As previously alluded to, Pilson has also been busy once more with The End Machine, a project he started with former Dokken bandmate George Lynch in 2018. I asked him what could be expected with their upcoming third album, The Quantum Phase (set to be released in March), and he explained; “Well, it’s our first album with our new singer Girish Pradhan, who’s just such an amazing young talent that brings so much to the table. His vocal styles really compliment the band, and we’re extremely excited for everyone to hear the end results!”

2024 also marks twenty solid years for Pilson as a member of Foreigner, and I had to know what it was like for him when he first joined a band of such stature. He told me; “It’s been nothing short of phenomenal, having grown up listening to so many of those classic songs over the years and then having the chance to be up there actually playing them live has been such a joy. And we’re definitely excited to be getting out there this year and doing one last major stretch of the whole nine-months-out-of-the-year touring cycle.”

I was also curious what it was like playing quite possibly one of the greatest power ballads of all time every night in the form of “I Want to Know What Love Is” (which actually turns forty years old this year), and Pilson stated; “To this day I still get goosebumps from playing it and hearing the crowd sing it back to us. It’s just one of those timeless songs that everyone knows and loves, I’ve always personally loved it, along with “Waiting For a Girl Like You.”‘

And speaking of power ballads, I also wanted to know if he felt “Alone Again,” the very first ballad he had ever co-written while a member of Dokken, still holds up to this day. Pilson explained; “Don (Dokken, lead singer) already had the bare bones for that song for quite some time, and I just came in and helped complete it. I’d say it definitely holds up though – being told from the perspective of someone longing for something they cannot have will always no doubt be a fairly universal theme.”

Of course I wouldn’t be a good journalist if I didn’t at least inquire if the chance for a reunion (or even possibly a one-off show or two) with Dokken could someday be a possibility in the distant horizon. Pilson stated; “I wouldn’t ever rule anything out entirely (because there’s always a chance), but I know he currently has his new album out that he’s still promoting at the moment, and I’m definitely busy with all of the projects I currently have going on right now as well, so it’s definitely not a necessity at this given time.”

I also couldn’t resist to ask what it was like filming the video for “Dream Warriors” (from 1987’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors), and if he was a fan of horror films prior to that moment. He told me; “I wouldn’t say I was a huge fan of horror films before that, but I always liked the Nightmare on Elm Street movies, and working with Robert (Englund) and being around him as Freddy was a ton of fun, and just a total blast on set!”

As if being a member of each of the previously-mentioned bands was not enough already, Pilson also spent some time on-and-off with the legendary Dio in the ’90s and early 2000’s. I asked him to tell me a little about what that experience was like for him, and, of the three albums he recorded with them, if he had a personal favorite. He enlightened me; “That was another dream come true, to be up there alongside someone like Ronnie James Dio – what more can you ask for?! But I’d have to say (1993’s) Strange Highways was probably my favorite to record; I’d say I was definitely more involved with that one over the others, and truly captured where the band was at at the time the most.”

Last but not least, I had to ask about his involvement with the 2001 Mark Wahlberg film Rock Star (one of my personal favorites), where he played the part of Jorgen in the fictional band Steel Dragon. He informed me; “Well, I was already involved with working on the music for the film at the time, so it seemed only a natural fit to play in the band on screen. I still had to audition for the role like anyone else, but I must’ve done something right…though I’m still not holding my breath for Hollywood to knock down my door again to this day” (Laughs).

Film Review: Dio: Dreamers Never Die (BMG)

By: Jesse Striewski

I’m sure I’ve probably mentioned this a time or two before, but one of the biggest personal regrets I have is not catching the late, great Ronnie James Dio in concert before his death in 2010 (the closest I ever came was a 2019 Dio Returns show, where several former members of the Dio band paid tribute to their former singer while using live backing tracks of Ronnie behind them, along with a hologram of him). The recent documentary Dio: Dreamers Never Die certainly helps confirm this regret.

Spanning his entire life and career, the film covers every aspect of his time in rock music. From Elf to Rainbow, to Black Sabbath to Dio, there’s no shortage of story to tell. And featuring interviews and insight from fellow personalities and rockers like Rob Halford, Eddie Trunk, Lita Ford, and Jack Black, as well as former wife Wendy Dio, and a host of many of Ronnie’s former bandmates.

“The Man on the Silver Mountain,” “Heaven and Hell,” “We Rock,” “Holy Diver,” “Rainbow in the Dark,” “The Last in Line,” and “Rock and Roll Children” are just a few of the titles Dio gifted us during his time on this Earth, and remain unmistakable classics to this day. The origins to many of these tracks are meticulously covered in great detail, among many others.

But of course, there’s only one way Dio’s life story can possibly end…with his unfortunate death. The results are some of the most tear-jerking moments compiled on film in recent memory (no doubt enough to make a grown man such as myself shed a tear or two). But that just stands to reason the true testament of Ronnie James Dio; every bit of praise is not only accurate, but deserved. He left behind a legacy that most artists today could only dream of ever having, and those of us who knew his music, understood his deep impact and worth.

Shot from the Dio Returns show Rewind It Magazine covered at The Plaza Live on 6/2/19. Photo by Brooke Striewski.

Shot from the Dio Returns show Rewind It Magazine covered at The Plaza Live in Orlando, FL on 6/2/19. Photo by Brooke Striewski.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Book Review: Rainbow in the Dark: The Autobiography By Ronnie James Dio with Mick Wall and Wendy Dio (Permuted Press)

By: Jesse Striewski

Although I’ve seen two of the bands he fronted during his lifetime (Black Sabbath and Dio Disciples, a group made up mainly of former members of the Dio band), and have been lucky enough to even meet his former wife/manager Wendy Dio, I regrettably never had the chance to catch the incomparable Ronnie James Dio while he was still with us on this Earth.

This long overdue, posthumous autobiography, Rainbow in the Dark, describes the first half of the life of one of rock’s greatest warriors with amazing detail. From forming the foundations of early groups like Elf and Rainbow, to reaching epic proportions with Sabbath and Dio, it’s a fascinating look into the life of one of rock’s last true class acts.

Wendy Dio also helps add some personal insight along the way as well; whether discussing tumultuous break ups with former bandmates and business partners such as Ritchie Blackmore and Tony Iommi, or the invention of the “devil horns” in those early Sabbath days, everything is covered perfectly. The only downfall? Unfortunately the story ends (as it also begins) in 1986, with Dio rising to the heights of headlining Madison Square Garden. Although it does make for a perfect ending story wise, it does leave more to desire. One can only hope there is more material out there for a part two, and the gap is eventually bridged.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Album Review: Dio – Holy Diver: Live (BMG)

By: Jesse Striewski

Ronnie James Dio might be gone, but the music he left behind across multiple decades and via numerous staple bands (including Black Sabbath and Rainbow) will forever live on. This latest reissue of a 2008 Dio show is a perfect example of just that, showcasing the immense talents of one of the greatest frontmen in rock to ever step up to the microphone.

Originally recorded live at London Astoria, this collection contains not only all nine tracks from the original 1983 masterpiece album of the same name (as it’s title suggests), but a number of other essential cuts from throughout Dio’s career. Classic’s like Sabbath’s “Heaven and Hell” and Rainbow’s “Man on the Silver Mountain” help make up this seventeen track collection. And even the physical editions come with some cool perks, including an album-sized, 3D lenticular art piece with the vinyl version.

There’s even another Dio reissue being released in tandem with this one, Evil or Divine: Live in New York City, but Holy Diver: Live is definitely the strongest of the two. But if you’re even half the Dio fan I am, you should be able to appreciate either of these collections.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Dio Returns at The Plaza Live in Orlando, FL on 6/1/19 By Jesse Striewski/Photos By Brooke Striewski

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Ever since the Dio Returns tour had first been announced there’s been an abundance of backlash from some fans calling it a ‘cash grab’ (I’d almost guarantee most of those complaining are the same people who went to see Bohemian Rhapsody when it came out last year, too). You can write tours like this off as such (it should also be noted that some of the profits from the tour are allegedly going towards the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund), or you can look at them the way I do; tributes meant to keep the memories alive of legends who rightfully deserve it. Ronnie James Dio was one such icon who I grew up admiring dearly, and unfortunately I was never able to see him perform live before his passing in 2010. The Dio Returns tour gives all those who never saw him the chance to finally experience his music live (and the last time I can remember looking forward to a tour as much as this much was probably when I caught the original lineup of one of Ronnie’s former bands, Black Sabbath, back in 2004).

Essentially, the band itself is one of two current versions of the Dio band that has been going for nearly ten years now (the other being Last in Line, with Vivian Campbell and Vinnie Appice at the helm) called Dio Disciples. This version of the band (which features Dio alumni Craig Goldy, Simon Wright, and Scott Warren) has been performing for years with multiple singers in place of Ronnie, including ex-Judas Priest/Iced Earth vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens, and former Lynch Mob singer Oni Logan, who were both there trading off vocal duties (along with live recordings of Ronnie when his hologram was present) when the band came through The Plaza Live in Orlando this past Saturday, June 1.

Jizzy Pearl’s current incarnation of Love/Hate opened the show, and I was actually looking forward to finally catching Pearl live as well after interviewing him for Rewind It Magazine just last year (I found it strange however that none of the material from Pearl’s recent album that I interviewed him for made it into the set list). At this point, the club was still fairly empty, and the band received only a modest response. But still, they played with all their might on tracks like “Straightjacket,” “Tumbleweed,” “Spinning Wheel,” “Fuel to Run,” “Mary Jane,” and “Wasted in America.” A seemingly set up (and awkward) moment found the band being told to leave the stage before declaring they were doing one more song, which ended up being “Blackout in the Red Room.”

After Pearl’s set, there was a sort of calm before the storm as the crowd sat anxiously to finally see what awaited them (this was only the second night of the tour, after all). It was quickly revealed as Ronnie’s hologram made its introduction by way of “King of Rock and Roll.” From there, it was one amazing moment after another from beginning to end.

A pair of Sabbath-era classics in the form of “Mob Rules” and “Children of the Sea,” sung by Owens and Logan, respectively, followed before Ronnie’s image made its way on the screen again for the classic Dio tracks “The Last in Line” and “Holy Diver.” After Owens belted out one more Dio classic (“Stand Up and Shout”), the stage was cleared for a drum solo by Wright, which was a tribute of sorts to Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.

A tagged-team rendition of “Don’t Talk to Strangers” by Owens and Logan followed before more Dio/Rainbow classics began making their way into the set, including “Rainbow in the Dark,” “Egypt (The Chains Are On),” “Gates of Babylon,” and “Invisible” (another duel effort from Owens and Logan). Goldy then treated the crowd to a guitar solo before a couple more Rainbow tracks (“Catch the Rainbow” and “Stargazer”) preceded an unforgettable version of Sabbath’s “Heaven and Hell” (which briefly segued into the classic “Man on the Silver Mountain”).

Owens and Logan then took the stage along with Ronnie’s hologram to close out the night on an epic note with “We Rock,” and finally (after a short reprieve) “Neon Knights.” The only thing I might have changed (other than include tracks like “Time to Burn” or anything off the Sacred Heart album in place of some of the other chosen tracks in the set, but that’s just my own personal taste!) would have been to market the tour itself a bit differently; even though the hologram does indeed play a prominent role, there’s so much more to the entire show than just that. Still, every person in attendance that night seemed to be in agreement of just how well-executed this show truly was.

After the show itself, my wife/photographer and I were extremely lucky to be invited backstage, where we were able to briefly meet and talk to every member of the band, as well as Dio’s own former wife, Wendy. It was apparent that this tour was a collective labor of love from all those involved, and the feelings resonating backstage were that of celebration, and triumph. And as far as all the closed-minded critics of the tour go, to quote Aesop; “The ignorant despise what is precious only because they cannot understand it.” I think if Ronnie were still here today, he would fully approve of what is being presented on stage in his honor right now.

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