Download re-name 2nd stage in memory of Ronnie James Dio

Download will honour the memory of Heaven and Hell frontman Ronnie James Dio at this year's festival by renaming their second stage 'The Ronnie James Dio Stage'.

In response to the sad news that Ronnie James Dio has died after a battle against stomach cancer, Download festival organisers have confirmed that they will be re-naming the Second Stage at this year's festival 'The Ronnie James Dio Stage', as a mark of respect.

A statement on Dio's official website this weekend by his wife confirmed the tragic news of Dio's passing, leaving the rock and metal world stunned and saddened to hear of the loss of such an iconic front man and musician.

In another formal tribute to a key player in the rock world, organisers have also announced that the Download Festival Main Stage will be called the 'Maurice Jones Stage', in tribute to the co-founder of the Monsters of Rock festivals at Donington Park who passed away last year.

Download festival is held at Donington Park over the weekend of Friday 11th to Sunday 13th June 2010 and features a line-up that includes headliners AC/DC, Rage Against the Machine, and Aerosmith, with Them Crooked Vultures, Wolfmother, Bullet For My Valentine, Motorhead, Deftones, Stone Temple Pilots, Volbeat, Stone Sour, Billy Idol, 30 Seconds to Mars, Lamb Of God, Five Finger Death Punch, and Megadeth also confirmed. For the line-up details as available please click here.

Weekend arena tickets with 3 nights camping were priced at £170 and have sold out, a five nights camping weekend ticket is still available priced at £180, and a weekend only ticket without camping is priced at £140. Lockers in the campsite are priced at £11 with car parking £10 in advance, £20 on the day. A campervan supplement is £40. There will be an additional £10 charge to enter the campsite either on the Wednesday or Thursday. Day tickets for Download are also available priced at £75 each.

To buy tickets, click here.

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