RockStar Weekly Interviews

Rowan Robertson Says Unreleased Dio Tracks Will Remain In Archives

Rowan Robertson, who is currently rockin’ with the Los Angeles band DC4, was also known as the guitarist for a heavy metal legend Ronnie James Dio on the album Lock Up The Wolves. He joined Armored Saint/Odin Guitarist, Jeff Duncan, along with brothers, Shawn Duncan (Odin), and Matt Duncan to form the band DC4 in late 2006. Rowan has been actively writing, recording, and touring with DC4 ever since.

RockStar Weekly had a chance to chat with the guitarist about DC4, Rock Band and the late great Ronnie James Dio. We had to ask if there was any chance we might get to hear some of the unreleased songs he was working on with Dio before Ronnie returned to Black Sabbath in 1991. He said there are Dio songs and recordings that exist, but they will remain unreleased and in his archive.

It’s been a couple years since the first DC4 album. I hear you’re at work on a new one?

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Will it be similar to the first one or will there be some differences?

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

How did you guys hook up with Bill to produce the record?

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

I saw your post that Guns N’ Roses keyboardist Dizzy Reed came to the studio and laid down some tracks. How do you know him?

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

When are you expecting the album to be released.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Will this be released by you guys again like the first one initially was or is there a label involved?

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

I hear you guys are hooking up with the Rock Band video game?

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Have you had a chance to play the game with your song?

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

You guys have been in some pretty cool bands, so how did DC4 get together and what makes the band special for you guys?

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

How does it feel being the non-relative in the band?

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

We lost a metal legend. What do you remember from your days with Ronnie James Dio?

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

This question both can answer: What was your reaction when you heard Ronnie was gone?

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Did you write and/or record some stuff with Dio that might have been shelved. Any chances that may surface at any time?

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

That would be a keepsake for you then.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

That’s amazing, because you hear of some artists that write 20 songs but only choose the best 5 of them.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

You made an instructional video a while back. Any chances we might get an update to that?

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

What is it about teaching that you really enjoy?

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

What else are you working on?

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

You said that you wanted to get back into writing, do you do a lot of writing and does it come naturally to you?

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.