Classic Concert of the Day: Dio at Super Rock ’85, at Odaiba Kouen Hiroba, Tokyo, Japan

During the pandemic, we ran a series called Classic Concert of the Day to help our metal brethren (that’s you) get over the lack of shows thanks to all the lockdowns. And while we still live in a COVID-19 infested world, things have largely gone back to normal — shows are back on and while cases still exist, they’re not nearly as deadly as they were back in 2020.

Still, it’s Sunday. You’ve got work or school in the morning. Responsibilities are keeping you in the shit and out of the pit. We get it. That’s why every Sunday we’re going to highlight a classic show from the past. You may not be there in real life, but thanks to the power of bootleg video and YouTube, you can travel back through time to see some of the greats.

This week, we bring you the legendary, the irreplaceable, the late Ronnie James Dio. Back in 1985, he’d already completed his first stint with Black Sabbath and was well past his Rainbow days. Still, our glorious short king spent most of his career with his solo project, Dio.

I remember personally getting to see him perform at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey back in 2008 on the Metal Masters Tour. And though Testament, Motörhead, and Judas Priest were all on the same bill, it was Heaven & Hell with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Vinny Appice, and Dio that still stand out to me. Even with all the music filling the amphitheater, it almost seemed like Dio didn’t need a mic to rock. And even though they didn’t play “Neon Knights,” it was a killer time I’ll never forget.

So while I go back and reminisce about that night, you guys should check out the show below. It’s a great reminder of just how talented the great Ronnie James Dio was.

Dio at Super Rock ’85, at Odaiba Kouen Hiroba, Tokyo, Japan – Aug. 11, 1985

King of Rock and Roll
Like the Beat of a Heart
Don’t Talk to Strangers
Hungry for Heaven (live premiere)
The Last in Line
Holy Diver (followed by “The Last in Line” reprise)
Drum Solo
Heaven and Hell (Black Sabbath cover)
Guitar Solo
Keyboard Solo
Sacred Heart (live premiere)
Rock ‘n’ Roll Children (live premiere)
Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll (Rainbow cover)
Man on the Silver Mountain (Rainbow cover) (followed by “Rock ‘n’ Roll Children” reprise)
Rainbow in the Dark
Encore:
Stand Up and Shout

(Setlist courtesy of Setlist.fm)