So, shred-maven Craig Goldy, who only moments earlier had refused the one-and-only Silver Fox a photo due to his dissatisfaction with his own coiffure, now stood before us nearly in tears, speaking about his personal history with Ronnie James Dio. It was… It was… Well, it was.
From the moment I saw Mr. Goldy in the DIO: Finding the Sacred Heart video as a kid, rockin’ that melon Spandex number replete with sequined bat-wings, ripping apart his white BC Rich Warlock, I was hooked. I’d wanted to meet the man, ever since. I finally had the good fortune to do so a few years ago when he was touring with DIO Disciples. At the time, he was personable and accommodating. So, I was surprised by his refusal of the photo, especially considering it had come at the entreaty of The Silver Fox. I mean, this is The Fox for crying-out-loud! Some things simply defy explanation.
As I processed all this, the oddest thing happened, Mr. Goldy, for no reason I’m aware, began speaking about his history with Ronnie James Dio and Mr. Dio’s widow, Wendy. Who needs segues anyway? I had heard elements of his story, but never in such rich detail and certainly never from Craig Goldy’s own mouth. He regaled us with how Mr. and Mrs. Dio had plucked him not only out of obscurity, but out of living in his car. They had apparently, in a very real way, made him a part of their family. As Mr. Goldy recounted the story, he was visibly affected. It was a rare and admittedly moving peek behind the rock ‘n roll curtain.