Image Copyright – Bjorn Englen
I caught up with bassist Bjorn Englen for an impromptu interview on board the Monsters Of Rock Cruise East, Shredders from the Deep where he performed stellar sets with both Dio Disciples and Hellion. Bjorn is one busy bassist active with a several different bands besides the above mentioned bands, he tours with Tony MacAlpine who is recovering from cancer, coaches at Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp and has his own project Soul Sign. If you’ve had the opportunity to see him perform, you know that he has an outstanding stage presence, gives it his all, while having a knack for connecting with the audience. He definitely knows his way around the bass guitar, but did you know he also sings and has a desire to sing lead vocals? He talks about that and the challenge of singing lead and playing an instrument. One or the other or both can suffer. While it would be interesting for him to give singing a shot, there’s no hurry since he’s already teamed up with some great singers. There are videos on youtube with performances of Bjorn playing with both Dio Disciples and Hellion on the MORC. In addition, Ann Boleyn of Hellion joined Dio Disciples on stage to sing the Black Sabbath song “Sign of the Southern Cross” off the Mob Rules album. Ann singing that song was definitely one of the highlights of the cruise.
Bjorn will be coaching at another Rock n Roll Fantasy Camp in Los Angeles on June 23rd-26th along with Paul Stanley of Kiss and Don Felder of the Eagles. Plans to tour with Tony MacAlpine and dates with Hellion are in the works as well as some Dio Disciples benefit shows including a live concert at Los Encinos Historical Park in Encino, CA. May 22nd for The Ronnie James Dio Stand up and Shout Cancer Fund. www.diocancerfund.org. Visit Hellion at www.Hellion.us and keep up to date with all things Bjorn at www.bjornenglen.com
Brenda Starr / BackStage360