Ronnie and Buster 1987
I first photographed Black Sabbath with new singer Ronnie James Dio at the Spectrum in Philadelphia in 1981 for US magazine. Earlier that year I was assigned to shoot several covers for Circus: the leading Rock & Roll magazine of its time. One being an old band mate from Rainbow, Ritchie Blackmore and another being the former Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne, who Ronnie had replaced. I became close with Ozzy and was quickly accepted in his world and had unlimited access. When I got the assignment to shoot the new Sabbath singer with Ozzy’s old bandmates, I hesitated to accept the assignment. I felt I was cheating on Ozzy. Like an old girlfriend – do I talk to her friends? I quickly realized it was a job and accepted the assignment. I did a quick band photo before they went on stage as well as individuals. All but Ronnie volunteered to go first. Tony and Vinnie needed to warm up and so I did a few with Geezer – I had Ronnie James Dio, the new singer of Black Sabbath all to myself. My editor wanted me to focus on getting as many images of the new singer as possible. Ronnie didn’t say much and gave me the “evil eye” for a few shots, But I still didn’t get the shot I was looking for. I wanted to get the “Master of Evil” off guard, not the demon singer from hell as we all knew him. Then when he told me he had to get ready for the show I felt I had failed to get the shot.
As Ronnie walked away, he told me to follow him. He said “I thought you didn’t get your shot you were looking for? Come to my dressing room maybe you’ll get it there.” To my surprise, he even helped me with my equipment. As I walked into his room and began shooting him preparing for the show, I knew that it was there that I would get Ronnie being “Ronnie”. In the corner of my eye I saw the magazine with the cover I did of Ozzy. He saw me look over and said “…So your Mark Weiss… Nice shot of OZZY.” We started chatting about my budding career as a photographer. I began snapping shots as he was getting ready, putting on his “metal netting” as 20,000 fans were chanting “SABBATH…SABBATH…SABBATH” just minutes before the show. That’s when I got the shot.
Thirty years later and in every incarnation of his career since I first photographed him in 1981, I was fortunately there to capture it all. I was honored when Wendy asked me to photograph the promotional photographs for “Heaven & Hell” in 2007. The photos were used in the packaging of their box set. After that, I photographed their historical performance at Radio City Music Hall in NYC. The photos appeared in the DVD.
Wendy was being so optimistic on the upcoming tour and asked me a couple of months ago what I would charge for the use of the early days photos to show on the video screens. I suggested to her to just to bring me over to shoot them, thats all I wanted. It was a done deal. It was never work when photographing Ronnie. I guess for all of us that are involved with Rock & Roll its not “work” its “Rock” and, with Ronnie Dio, it was and will always be Rock at its finest.
Ronnie, thanks for letting me into your world to capture the last thirty years of your life. I will never forget you. I am honored to contribute to your legacy and memory through my photographs for your family, friends and your devoted legions of loyal fans. –
Ronnie and Mark 2007
