Dio Stage Tribute At Rock Festival

Organisers of a British rock festival will pay tribute to tragic singer RONNIE JAMES DIO by re-naming a stage at the event in his honour.

The heavy metal legend, 67, lost his battle with stomach cancer at a hospital in Houston, Texas on Sunday (16May10).

To mark Dio’s contribution to the rock world, the second stage at this year’s (10) Download Festival at Donington Park in Derbyshire, England, will be renamed The Ronnie James Dio Stage.

Organisers are also honouring Maurice Jones - who co-founded the legendary Monsters of Rock festivals - by renaming the main stage at Download after him. Jones died last year (09).

In a statement, Download bosses said, “In response to the sad news that Ronnie James Dio has died after a battle against stomach cancer, Download Festival organisers have confirmed that they will be re-naming the Second Stage at this year’s festival The Ronnie James Dio Stage, as a mark of respect.”