The heavy metal world lost one of its most powerful singers on May 16, 2010, when Ronnie James Dio lost his fight with stomach cancer. However, his cousin David "Rock" Feinstein certainly still carries the torch, unknowingly recording Ronnie's last record "Metal Will Never Die" and continuing to play and release music for die-hard rock fans. He recently took the time to talk to Examiner.com about his cousin and personal music journey.
Examiner: How did you get into music?
David "Rock" Feinstein: I started playing the trumpet at 7. Ronnie was a trumpet player, too. Then I got a set of drums when I was in high school, joined the Cortland High School band.
Examiner: And your first real gig?
DF: I started a band, the Cindells. We had a couple of regional singles. Ronnie had a group, 'Ronnie Dio and the Prophets.' Their rhythm bass player was leaving the band. Ronnie started working me into sets. I barely knew how to play guitar, but quickly learned!
Examiner: And after that?
DF: The group became 'Electric Elves' then 'Elves.' After we signed with Clive Davis, we became 'ELF' and had our first national release. I took a little time off for myself in '73. I did a few oddball jobs during my hiatus, but realized I missed music. In the late 70s I formed The Rods.
Examiner: Do you have a songwriting process?
DF: When I was with ELF, there were no restrictions. I'd get an idea for a riff. Start humming the melody. Song comes together from that.
Examiner: How did "Metal Will Never Die" come about?
DF: I put that together in a day. Ronnie did lead vocals on it, but that's not how I originally planned it. It wasn't until I finished that I thought, 'Ronnie's gotta' sing lead on this.' And he really screamed on it. In retrospect, an eerie chain of events took place before that record came together. It's my most important record to date and will remain a tribute to him.
Examiner: Which do you prefer, studio or touring?
DF: They're two different worlds. Touring is an adrenalin rush. Can get some great ideas during that time. Emotions are put into language form. The studio is a little more challenging. Things have to be done right.
Examiner: Who would you say have been some of your biggest influences?
DF: Dio, Judas Priest, solo Rob Halford stuff, Deep Purple, Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore, Jimi Hendrix.
Examiner: What's on your iPod right now?
DF: I actually don't listen to music much, but when I do, I like everything, even some pop and some country. I like that Kelly Clarkson song, 'Life Would Really Suck Without You.' Wish I'd written that! Like country too because it deals with issues in real life.
Examiner: Has Ronnie's passing affected your work?
DF: It's affected my life in all possible ways, particularly emotionally.
Examiner: What's on your plate for the next year?
DF: My next album, Bitten By the Beast, will be released on Novemer 22. I'll be promoting that, touring, doing interviews. There'll be a new Rods record in the spring of 2011.
Examiner: What's your advice for up-and-coming musicians?
DF: When I was first performing, I never got to go to dances, I got to play them. I didn't even get to listen to much music until the mid-70s. Don't give up on it. If you're a true musician, it's within you. The Rods took its own course. We formed to make a little money and 7 albums down the line, we had. Don't give up.
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