BMG green lights documentary on legendary Ronnie James Dio

19 February 2020 - Press release

BMG has announced its next feature-length film will be the first-ever, career-spanning documentary on the life and times of legendary rock icon Ronnie James Dio. It is the first documentary about Dio to be fully authorized by the artist’s estate. BMG is both financier and executive producer of the film, with all rights available worldwide. 

The upcoming documentary is the latest project in BMG’s fast-growing line of music-related films and television projects including the critically acclaimed Sundance Film Festival selections David Crosby: Remember My Name – recently Grammy-nominated for ‘Best Music Film’ – and the Joan Jett documentary, Bad Reputation; The Show’s The Thing, a film about legendary concert promoters and the early days of the live music business; Rudeboy: The Story of Trojan Records, and Echo In The Canyon, one of the top-grossing documentaries of 2019. 

Currently in production, the as-yet-untitled film will be the definitive Ronnie James Dio documentary, incorporating never-before-seen archival footage and photos from his personal archives. The film will offer intimate scenes with his closest peers, friends and family as they bring us inside the life of one of rock and roll’s true heroes. The film is financed solely by BMG and will be helmed by Don Argott and Demian Fenton (Framing John DeLorean, Believer, Last Days Here), produced by Don Argott and Sheena Joyce for 9.14 Pictures, executive produced by Wendy Dio for Niji Productions and Kathy Rivkin Daum for BMG. 

Ronnie James Dio's story transcends the standard rock documentary. Set against the backdrop of Dio's unfinished autobiography – half-finished by Ronnie before his untimely death from stomach cancer in 2010 – the film will chronicle the inspiring journey of his life, love, and storied career. Whether playing sold-out stadiums or battling illness, his powerful voice and gentle heart have had a profound influence on his family, friends, and fans around the world. A metal icon and one of the most beloved figures in rock 

Wendy Dio, said, “I am very excited to be working with BMG on Ronnie's long-awaited documentary. Ronnie loved his fans and I hope they will enjoy this trip through Ronnie's life.” 

Kathy Rivkin Daum, Executive Producer, BMG, said, “We are incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to partner with artists to tell their stories on the big screen. Dio, a larger than life rock hero, whose music means so much to millions of fans worldwide, deserves nothing less. The story behind his passion, ambition, and the highs and lows of success, in the rock and metal worlds, is something audiences have never seen before and won’t soon forget. We are honored to partner with Wendy on this incredible journey celebrating Ronnie’s life and work.”

BMG formally announced the strategic move of the integrated record label and music publishing company into music-related films and TV production in late-2017. 

On March 20, 2020, BMG will release a newly remastered collection of Dio’s acclaimed 1996 – 2004 studio albums Angry Machines, Magica, Killing The Dragon, and Master Of The Moon. Long out of print on CD and never before released on vinyl in North America, the four reissues feature rare and unreleased bonus tracks including in-concert recordings from the subsequent tour for each album and are loaded with Dio classics from his celebrated career, ‘Holy Diver’, ‘Heaven and Hell’, ‘Stand Up And Shout’, ‘Rainbow In The Dark’, ‘Man On The Silver Mountain’, ‘The Last In Line’, and ‘The Mob Rules’, among many others. 

Dio reigns as one of the most influential rock artists of all time and one of the greatest vocalists ever. With an illustrious recording career spanning the 1950’s, 1960’s, 1970’s, 1980’s, 1990’s, and 2000’s, he served as the frontman for some of rock’s elite including Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio, and Heaven & Hell. Famous for popularizing the ‘metal horns’ hand gesture that is synonymous with hard rock and heavy metal music, his many awards include the Classic Rock Magazine Awards “Metal Guru Award”, the Revolver Golden God Awards “Best Metal Singer”, and is an inductee to Guitar Center's Rock Walk of Fame in Hollywood, CA. 

Well known for supporting charities, Dio guided Hear ‘n Aid, the metal world’s answer to Band Aid and USA for Africa in 1985 – a project that raised over $1,000,000 within a year. The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, founded in his honor continues today having raised over $2,500,000 to fund cancer research.