Ronnie James Dio Fans to Gather for ‘Build Dio Day’ at Portsmouth City Hall

A petition signed by thousands of supporters will be presented to the Portsmouth City Council on Monday, June 20.

Ronnie James Dio fans and lovers of the arts plan to come out in force to push a plan to build a statue in his honor in Portsmouth.

Supporters are calling their presentation of the project to the Portsmouth City Council "Build a Dio Day." So far the petition to build the statue in Prescott Park has gained almost 5,000 signatures.

One of the residents leading the charge is Brian Kelly, Director of Marketing and Development at The Seacoast Repertory Theatre. He will be presenting the petition as a Dio fan, lover of the arts and supporter of Portsmouth's unique role on the seacoast.

The presentation is being created in collaboration with Art-Speak, a cultural commission in Portsmouth. Kelly is urging any supporters to join him in Portsmouth City Hall at 7pm to show the city council

“The support for this proposal is overwhelming, benefitting Dio’s contributions to music,” wrote Kelly in a letter to the council.

Ronnie James Dio was born in Portsmouth on July 10, 1942 and passed away on May 16, 2010. Founder of popular bands like "Black Sabbath," "Heaven & Hell" and "Dio," Ronnie is known as the father of heavy metal music (and the popular "metal horns" hand signal.)

Aaron Fournier, who first lead the charge for a Ronnie James Dio statue in Portsmouth, created a GoFundMe page for a memorial of the late rocker. So far it has raised $1,244 towards its $50,000 goal.

Fournier writes that the statue will be bronze with "a design to be decided on and agreed upon by the artist, city and organizers. Any excess or unused funds will be donated to the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund and possibly to fund a scholarship for a student interested in furthering their education in the arts/music."