Rufus Publications has set an early September release date for Sabbath: The Dio Years.
This huge coffee-table book from Rufus Publications celebrates the Ronnie James Dio-fronted era of Black Sabbath right through to the Heaven & Hell project with a wealth of unseen pictures and memorabilia and with a linking text from rock journalist Howard Johnson, who interviewed Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler to discuss this era.
With more than 440 pages, the book is described as “an epic illustrated record of one of metal’s greatest bands.” Check out a YouTube trailer for the book below.
In 1980, Black Sabbath recruited powerhouse vocalist Ronnie James Dio at the start of a new era for the band. Heaven And Hell, the first studio album they released, is now regarded as one of the most iconic rock albums of the 1980s. Rolling Stone magazine voted the album No. 37 in the greatest heavy metal albums of all time.
“I first met Ronnie at our rehearsal house in Beverly Hills,” Butler recalled. “He arrived in this massive brown Cadillac that looked too big for him to drive. He seemed pleasant enough, but when he started singing, I was blown away — so much power in such a diminutive stature. He quickly got to work on some of the ideas we had and turned them into songs for what would become the Heaven And Hell album.”
The book has been put together with the full co-operation of the band and features pictures from Dio’s wife, Wendy’s own personal archive. Three different versions will be published, including two personally signed by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, Vinny Appice, and Wendy Dio.
Dio passed away of stomach cancer on May 16, 2010, at the age of 67. He was renowned throughout the world as one of the greatest and most influential vocalists in heavy metal history. The singer was diagnosed with cancer in late 2009. He underwent chemotherapy and made what is now his final public appearance in April 2010 at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards in Los Angeles.
Dio’s long-awaited autobiography, titled Rainbow In The Dark: The Autobiography, will also be released on July 27 via Permuted Press.
Sabbath: The Dio Years will be available for pre-order starting Friday, April 23.
