DIO (Simon Wright )

DIO Drummer Simon Wright - I Have "Lots Of Good Memories With AC/DC"




Get Ready To Roll! spoke with DIO drummer Simon Wright (ex-AC/DC) recently about a number of topics. Here are a few excerpts from the chat:

Get Ready To Roll!: You're currently getting a long break from Dio, whilst Ronnie goes out on the road with Heaven And Hell. How did you feel about that, when the idea was first discussed?
Wright: "I felt fine about the idea, really - the thought of those musicians being on the same stage again after all the years, well, it had to be done! You see I look at it from a fan's point of view, and there are a lot of fans who never got to see it first time round, so as far as I'm concerned it's all good!"

Get Ready To Roll!: Going back to earlier times.... AC/DC - what are your favourite memories?
Wright: "Lots of good memories with AC/DC. Brian is the funniest bloke I have ever met. Ten jokes a minute! He would have you crying with laughter. As for the shows, well there were some massive shows that would make your hair stand up. All great memories and I'm proud to have been a part of it."

Get Ready To Roll!: And even earlier.... how did you get started in the music business in the first place?
Wright: "I started work in the construction industry and enjoyed some of the work, but I could hear the drums along the motor-way calling me in the distance, ha! So off I went, left the job and joined a Manchester band called AIIZ."

Get Ready To Roll!: And how did your career progress from there to playing with AC/DC and then Dio? Is it true that you answered an ad in Sounds magazine for a drummer?
Wright: "I have been asked this question a few times, and yes, that's exactly how I got the job in AC/DC! It's always worth looking in the classified section of your local music paper under Musicians Wanted! As regards joining Dio, I got to know Ronnie back when we were doing the Monsters Of Rock festivals in the late 80s. I loved his work in RAINBOW, SABBATH, and his own band Dio. What a voice! So powerful, and a brilliant songwriter. My time with AC/DC was coming to an end, and as a drummer I needed to stretch out a bit. I still enjoyed the music, but it was a mutual thing that I move onwards - and onwards I did move, as luck would have it, to start rehearsing and recording for the Dio album Lock Up The Wolves - and we've been great friends ever since."

Get Ready To Roll!: Who are your top three musical heroes - and why?
Wright:
"1 - Ronnie James Dio. I have worked with a lot of musicians throughout my career, but none has had the same standards and self-belief as Ron. He's smart, savvy, there's no bullshit, he has a relentless work ethic, and he has a wicked sense of humour too. For me, he's the king of rock n 'roll. He's not a bad singer either. (Did he bribe me to say that? You decide!)
2 - Malcom Young. When I joined AC/DC, I was basically a kid, 18 going on 19 years old. I thought I knew it all. Haha, I didnt have a clue. How could I - I'd never been in one of the biggest rocknroll bands in the world before! Anyhow Malcom (who would definitely hate the word 'hero') always had time for me to ask what the fuck is going on with this or that. That helped me out a lot... So, thanks mate!
3 - John Bonham. Many things have been said about Mr. Bonham. Why? Because he redefined what drums were about. There were great drummers around, but.. in The Song Remains The Same, and in Dazed And Confused, when they go back into the main riff, after the middle section - there is a note he hits on the bass drum which I have never heard any other drummer get close to. I keep trying to of course! Yes, the late great Mr. John Bonham. R.I.P."

Get Ready To Roll!: What is the proudest moment in your career?
Wright: "There are three actually. When I was in AC/DC my family came to see the show at Castle Donington. All my hard slog had finally paid off and I'll never forget that day... marvelous. Also playing six nights in Chicago with UFO... and thirdly, Ronnie receiving his lifetime achievement award at Wacken festival - we stood there on the stage, with 40,000 fans singing Dio. A very proud moment for us all!"

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