11/10/25 Page 7

The Metal Voice recently spoke to former Dio guitarist TRACY G about his time in the band writing, recording and performing the albums Strange Highways and Angry Machines. Tracy G was asked on how Ronnie's passing affected him:

"I hadn't talked to him for 10 years. 1999 I left. It was 2010 when I think he passed or got sick or something and I hadn't talked to him at all. So, I wasn't really that close to him (at the time). And when I was with him, I was his friend, but it was like a business partnership. Of course, it's devastating and it's a huge loss because that's a huge talent right there. He was such a hardworking guy. On the road he never even missed a show even when he got a cold or got sick, he just sang. Maybe not the same notes he just he sang different notes that he could hit. It's tough on a singer when they get sick. I got sick many times, but I don't sing, you know. It's different. But he was a working madman. Um, first one at practice, last one at practice, he cared. He cared how the guitar sounded. He cared how the snare drum sounded. Major respect to Ronnie. He was one of the greatest singers that there could be for any style of music. I mean does it get any better than that? I have been struggling my whole life till I'm like 30 years old trying to find a decent singer for me. I always needed a better singer. You know. But then I'm in a band with Ronnie James Dio, I mean I hit the musical lotto."

Tracy Grijalva, known as Tracy G, is a guitarist best known for his time with Dio from 1993 to 1999. He left the band when Dio brought back guitarist Craig Goldy and they wanted him to switch to only rhythm guitar. Tracy G appeared on Strange Highways (1993), Angry Machines (1996), Inferno: Last In Live (1998) and Live In London, Hammersmith Apollo 1993.