Tracy Grijalva, known as Tracy G, explained that his departure from Ronnie James Dio’s band resulted from being asked to switch from lead to rhythm guitar, told Guitar World.
Tracy G had played lead guitar for Dio for six years before being asked to change roles. He emphasized that the exit was not due to conflict with Dio himself, but rather a musical decision he could not accept.
“Ronnie was interested in finding a guitar player who could write for him,” Tracy G said. “I left the audition after that, and they ended up calling me back. I went back and played again, and then, Vinny [Appice, drummer] called me and said, ‘Ronnie wants you in the band.'”
Tracy G described the recording sessions he completed with Dio. “The sessions for Strange Highways went good. It took about six weeks to record that album and maybe eight weeks to record [1996’s] Angry Machines.”
The turning point came when Dio decided to bring back Craig Goldy as lead guitarist. “Well… I didn’t go for that [Dio’s decision to bring back Craig Goldy on lead guitar],” Tracy G said. “I had played guitar and lead guitar for Ronnie for six years, and now he asked me to play rhythm. When I solo… that’s when and how I express myself. If you take that from me, then I’m out.”
Tracy G stressed that his relationship with Dio remained cordial despite the split. “I was never at odds with Dio. The Christmas after I left, I called him at the office to wish him a Merry Christmas and left him a message. I never heard back from him again.”
Tracy G’s comments came during a discussion about his time in Dio’s band and the circumstances that led to his departure.
Tracy G joined Dio in early 1993 and remained with the band through 1999, playing on two studio albums, Strange Highways and Angry Machines. Strange Highways was released on October 25, 1993, through Vertigo Records in Europe, and on January 26, 1994, through Reprise Records in the United States. Angry Machines followed on October 4, 1996, through Mercury Records in Japan, and on October 15, 1996, through Mayhem Records in the United States.
The decision to return to the band’s traditional sound came after disappointing record sales for Angry Machines. Label pressure in 1999 prompted Ronnie Dio to shift the musical direction back to the band’s earlier style. Dio offered Tracy G the opportunity to stay in a dual-guitar lineup alongside Craig Goldy, but Tracy G chose to pursue his own path rather than accept a reduced role.
Tracy G’s exit marked the end of a period in which Dio explored a harder, more modern sound on his two albums with the guitarist. His departure reflected his musical priorities rather than any personal friction with the frontman, as Tracy G has made clear in his recent statements about his time with the legendary singer.
