Watch Clip of Ronnie James Dio Hologram From ‘Dio Returns: The World Tour’ Kickoff
The Ronnie James Dio hologram is now on tour, with the first show featuring it kicking off last night (Dec. 6) in Bochum, Germany. Fan-filmed footage of the band Dio Disciples backing the hologram performing the Black Sabbath song "Heaven and Hell" can be viewed above.
Eyellusion Hologram Production developed a lifelike hologram so the metal legend could entertain audiences following Dio's passing in 2010. It made its debut at Wacken 2016 and hit the stage once again at the 2017 Pollstar Awards.
The European trek, dubbed "Dio Returns: The World Tour," continues across the continent this month, ending with a show in Antwerp, Belgium Dec. 21. It's the first time the hologram will be appearing in a succession of dates, with more promised in 2018.
"Rainbow in the Dark", "We Rock", "Neon Nights", "King of Rock and Roll", "Man on the Silver Mountain" and "Holy Diver" were some of the songs performed by the hologram in addition to "Heaven and Hell." Tim "Ripper" Owens also sang, and Oni Logan is expected on certain dates as well.
Ronnie James Dio’s widow, Wendy Dio, told us back in January that six songs have been programmed to be a part of the Dio hologram set. “We’re developing a new [hologram] right now with six songs,” she said. “So if we do an hour show, Ronnie will probably come out four times. If we do a 90-minute show, he’d come out six times.”
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