Over 75,000 fans at the Wacken Open Air music festival in Germany this weekend were treated to the late Ronnie James Dio reunited with his bandmates via hologram. The surprise performance took place at the end of Dio Disciples’ set to close the world’s largest annual live heavy metal event.
Dio Disciples features members of the Dio band, which last performed with Ronnie in 2008. Eyellusion, a hologram entertainment company focused on the live music market, created the hologram and produced the groundbreaking performance.
Almost one year in the making, Eyellusion’s Ronnie James Dio production represents the world’s first rock hologram performance and the first time a hologram has been accompanied by a live band in a traditional concert setting. The Wacken Open Air Festival marked the debut of the Ronnie James Dio hologram, which features the singer’s actual live vocals and will be toured globally in 2017, with further details to be announced.
“When I first experienced the full production of Ronnie performing with his band as a hologram, I couldn’t believe my eyes and ears,” said Wendy Dio, who manages Dio Disciples and is also a member of the Eyellusion team, supporting industry relations. “With Eyellusion, we have been able to get Ronnie back up on stage where he belongs, ensuring that his music and memory live on. I want Ronnie’s fans around the world to share this experience.”
Find out more about the Ronnie James Dio Hologram here.
We’ll update this with video when it’s available.