Guitarist Jimmy Fleming sits down for an exclusive interview with Craig Goldy, the legendary guitar player of Dio, to discuss his gear, his history with Ronnie James Dio, and his experiences in the heavy metal world.
Craig Goldy is more than just a virtuoso; he has been a staple in the ears of rock fans since the 1980s. From his early days in Rough Cutt and Giuffria to his defining work with Dio, Goldy’s journey is a masterclass in dedication. I reached out to Craig and found a generous, down-to-earth musician who truly cares about the craft and the fans. The following interview speaks volumes about his character and his status as a guitar icon.
Inspirations: From Deep Purple to Ritchie Blackmore
What brought you together with music? Who were the people that made you want to play?
Craig Goldy: I was always a music lover. My parents had a radio in the front room, and I would jump between Jazz, Blues, and R&B. Then, I heard the song “Burn” by Deep Purple. I thought to myself, ”Who is that!?” I bought the album and found all my favorite types of music in one band.[cite: 2]
Ian Paice was Jazz-based, Glenn Hughes had that soulful R&B bass, Jon Lord brought the classical influence, and David Coverdale had that thick bluesy rock voice. But Ritchie Blackmore was on another planet! It was at that time that I wanted to learn how to play like Ritchie Blackmore. Little did I know I was in for the ride of my life![cite: 2]
The Dio Era: Sacred Heart and Madison Square Garden
Conducting an interview with Ronnie James Dio and Craig Goldy around the release of Sacred Heart (1985) remains a pivotal moment in metal history. Captured shortly after the departure of Vivian Campbell, this era highlighted the creative energy that fueled the band’s mid-80s success.[cite: 2]
Craig Goldy’s Favorite Gear: The ESP Mark II
Do you have a favorite guitar and why?
Craig Goldy: I still love the Fender Strat, but my favorite is the ESP Mark II. I’ve tried just about every brand, and the Mark II doesn’t limit me. I learned that the type of wood and pickups make a huge difference—nearly more than the amplifier being used. It took me a while to narrow it down, but the ESP Mark II is home.[cite: 2]
Technical Mastery: The One-Handed Solo Technique
One of the most unique aspects of Goldy’s playing is his one-handed soloing. He developed this while writing out tablature for his students; as he tapped the fretboard with his left hand to check notes while writing with his right, he realized the percussive potential of the technique.[cite: 2] This eventually led to a surreal moment where even Ritchie Blackmore asked him, ”You’ll have to show me how you do that?”[cite: 2]
The State of the Digital Music Industry
Craig Goldy: “Nowadays, making a living as only a musician is nearly impossible. The music industry is suffering due to streaming—I call it stealing. When someone tells me they are listening on sites like Spotify, I think, ‘Thanks for the .000003% of a penny!'”[cite: 2]
Original Interview Transcript (Raw Text)
“What brought you together with music? ” Inspirations, People who made you want to play”.[cite: 2]
I was always a music lover…..when I was just a little guy…..my favourite Aunt said that she thought it was cute when I was nodding my head up and down while listening to the radio in their car…..I didn’t even know I was doing that! My parents had a radio in the front room of our house we grew up in, and I would land on one station and like it……thinking that this type of music was my favourite……but then got bored eventually…..this happened with Jazz, Blues, Rock, Classical, R & B…..even though I mostly stayed with R & B.[cite: 2]
Then one day I was at a friend’s house and I heard the song “Burn” by Deep Purple come on the radio…..I thought to myself……”Who is that!!??” So, I bought the “Burn” album…..and there it was….all my favourite types of music in one band! Ian Paice was Jazz-based, Glenn Hughes sounded like a white Stevie Wonder and his bass lines were very different than in most rock bands….. Jon Lord had classical music mixed in his solos…David Coverdale had that cool thick bluesy rock sound to his voice…..and Ritchie Blackmore was on another planet!! It was at that time that I wanted to try and learn how to play like Ritchie Blackmore!! Little did I know I was in for the ride of my life!![cite: 2]
Have you a favourite guitar and why?[cite: 2]
I still love and miss playing the Fender Strat…..but my favourite is the ESP Mark II. I’ve tried just about every brand of guitar……and the Mark II allows me to do the things that I want to do…..it doesn’t limit me. I learned the hard way that the type of wood and pick-ups make a huge difference nearly more than the type of amplifier being used. It took me a while to finally narrow it down to the ESP Mark II.[cite: 2]
How long have you been active in music? What are career highlights or dreams?[cite: 2]
My first real professional band was Rough Cutt around 1983-84. I’ll never forget both the day I was asked to join Dio…..especially since Ronnie James Dio was and still is my favorite singer! And the night we headlined Madison Square Garden……I called my Dad and he said…..” After all these years of telling you that you can’t do it……I’ll be damned if you didn’t do it…..I’m proud of you”.[cite: 2]
One of the biggest was the night Ritchie Blackmore asked me…..”You’ll have to show me how you do that?”! I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! After all the years of trying to learn his solos note for note…..there he was asking me to show him, how I did something I just played guitar. It was the one-handed soloing thing that I do.[cite: 2]
What have you learned from your success or even failures?[cite: 2]
Good question! Not many people ask about “Failures”! Many of my greatest achievements were gained by prior failures! One of my demos that had some songs on it that I thought were quite good got turned down…..so, I submitted them to Warner Bros. for the song publisher I was assigned to, to try and place them with another band.[cite: 2]
The very next day … David Lee Roth told me that he loved my songs and could we meet at his producer’s house to discuss writing more songs. … And that is how I got my first Gold Record.[cite: 2]
Success ……..success was and is an entirely different situation for a guy like me! I came from an abusive family…..physically and verbally…..in and out of the hospital, ER, stitches, and surgeries. So, I left home at a very young age, bought a car I was too young to own, and got a job I was too young to have. I could only sleep in my car on the streets of San Diego, California. … When I found myself on a Headlining stage with my favourite singer Ronnie James of Dio……I found that this new status also comes with a certain amount of influence over certain fans.[cite: 2]
How do you feel about the state of the digital music industry?[cite: 2]
At first, I thought that what the internet had done for the music industry was quite good. … However, the process of creating music that pierces the very heart and soul of people making them want to buy that music……that process is still the same and it always will be. But with streaming…..they misspelled the word…..cause it’s Stealing! … Nowadays no matter how great you are…..making a living as only a musician is nearly as impossible as it was before, but for different reasons.[cite: 2]
I understand how it all came about…..but nowadays no matter how great you are…..making a living as only a musician is nearly as impossible as it was before, but for different reasons. … And I can’t help but think to myself…..”Thanks for the .000003% of a penny”![cite: 2]
Craig Goldy Facebook | Official Fan Page[cite: 2]
