Dio Members, Gear & Sound

band with Ronnie James Dio

Genre

Rock Metal Hard rock Glam metal Power metal Classic rock Heavy metal album rock

Members

Select a Dio band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Jake E. Lee

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Ozzy Osbourne Ratt Supergroup A Enuff Z'Nuff BADLANDS Rough Cutt Red Dragon Cartel

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Vivian Campbell

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Thin Lizzy Whitesnake Def Leppard Hear 'n Aid Shadow King The Dudes of Wrath Clock Sweet Savage Riverdogs Last in Line The Hippies From Hell

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Doug Aldrich

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Whitesnake The Dead Daisies House of Lords Revolution Saints Hurricane The Brutal Brothers Lion Bad Moon Rising Burning Rain

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Bob Daisley

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

Black Sabbath Ozzy Osbourne Rainbow Chicken Shack Yngwie J. Malmsteen’s Rising Force Uriah Heep Mungo Jerry Gary Moore Band Last Temptation Bitter Pill Living Loud Stream Mother’s Army Blizzard Of Ozz

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Rudy Sarzo

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

Ozzy Osbourne Whitesnake Blue Öyster Cult Queensrÿche Quiet Riot The Guess Who Supergroup B Yngwie J. Malmsteen’s Rising Force Hear 'n Aid Angel The Dudes of Wrath Dio Disciples A New Revenge アニメタルUSA D-Metal Stars Gunzo Manic Eden M.A.R.S. Dream Child

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Ronnie James Dio

Roles:

Singer Bassist Keyboardist

Groups:

Black Sabbath Rainbow Elf Heaven & Hell Ronnie Dio and the Red Caps Ronnie Dio and the Prophets

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Craig Goldy

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Budgie Giuffria Rough Cutt Dream Child Dio Disciples Resurrection Kings Black Knights Rising

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Jens Johansson

Roles:

Keyboardist Composer

Groups:

Rainbow Stratovarius Yngwie J. Malmsteen’s Rising Force Cain’s Offering

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Jimmy Bain

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

Rainbow Last in Line 3 Legged Dogg

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Vinny Appice

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Black Sabbath Dunsmuir Heaven & Hell Power Project Last Temptation Kill Devil Hill Last in Line Resurrection Kings 3 Legged Dogg Appice Black Knights Rising 9 Chambers Hollywood Monsters Derringer

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Jeff Pilson

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

Foreigner Dokken Wild Horses Revolution Saints The End Machine Power Project Steel Dragon McAuley Schenker Group T&N Lynch Pilson War & Peace The Lake Balboa Fire Choir Black Swan Underground Moon Tooth and Nail

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Claude Schnell

Roles:

Keyboardist Composer

Groups:

Rough Cutt Last in Line

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Chuck Garric

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

Cheap Trick Alice Cooper L.A. Guns Brother Cane ESP

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Scott Warren

Roles:

Keyboardist

Groups:

Warrant Keel Heaven & Hell Hellion Dio Disciples

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Jerry Best

Roles:

Singer Bassist

Groups:

Lion

Needs more gear

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Tracy G

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Love/Hate The Tracy G Group Hollywood Monsters

No gear added

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Rowan Robertson

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Bang Tango VAST Raiding the Rock Vault

No gear added

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Simon Wright

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

AC/DC Rhino Bucket Hellion Dream Child Dio Disciples Operation: Mindcrime Mogg/Way

No gear added

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Teddy Cook

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

Great White Randy Jackson's China Rain

No gear added

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Larry Dennison

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise

No gear added

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About

Dio is a quintessential American heavy metal band formed in 1982 by the legendary vocalist Ronnie James Dio after his stints with Rainbow and Black Sabbath. The original lineup featured Ronnie James Dio (vocals), Vivian Campbell (guitar), Jimmy Bain (bass), Vinny Appice (drums), and later included Claude Schnell (keyboards). Known for their powerful blend of heavy metal, hard rock, and classic rock, Dio's music is marked by epic themes of fantasy and mythology, showcased in albums like Holy Diver and The Last in Line. The band has left an indelible mark on the metal genre with their theatrical live performances and Ronnie's iconic voice.

How to Sound Like Dio

Dio's sound is characterized by its powerful, melodic yet aggressive nature, driven by soaring vocals and virtuosic guitar work. The guitar tones are often rich and overdriven, achieved through the use of high-gain amplifiers like the Marshall 2555X Silver Jubilee Reissue, which adds a classic tube warmth to the mix. Vivian Campbell's guitar work often involves intricate solos and heavy riffs played on guitars like the Kramer Nightswan, known for its sharp, articulate sound. The rhythm section, featuring an energetic and precise drumming style, complements the powerful guitar and vocal lines, creating a sound that is both grandiose and grounded in traditional metal aesthetics. For musicians aiming to emulate Dio's iconic sound, focusing on dynamic vocal delivery and tight, melodic guitar riffs with a blend of delay and modulation effects will be key.

Discography

Holy Diver (2022 Joe Barresi Remix)

1983

The Last in Line (2016 Remaster)

1984

Sacred Heart (2016 Remaster)

1985

Dream Evil (2016 Remaster)

1987

Lock Up the Wolves

1990

From Heaven to Hell

1992

Strange Highways

1993

Angry Machines

1996

Magica

2000

Killing the Dragon

2002

Master of the Moon

2004

Dio At Donington '83 (Live)

2010

The Very Beast Of Dio Vol. 2

2012

Holy Diver: Live

2021

Evil Or Divine: Live In New York City

2021

Dio At Donington '87 (Live)

2022

Get the Dio Sound

Want to sound like Dio? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.