Glenn Hughes (pictured left) has revealed he still can’t believe close friend Ronnie James Dio has passed away and admitted: “It still feels so raw.”

The former Black Sabbath singer will join Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler at this month’s High Voltage festival to share frontman duties with Jorn Lande in a live tribute to RJD.

And Hughes told rushonrock: “I love Ronnie and I’ve had a long relationship with the Dio family. What has happened is still fresh in my mind and I’m still very, very sad about it. He is the greatest heavy metal singer the world has ever had and it’s tough coming to terms with his death. “When I get up on stage with Tony and Geezer in London later this month I know it will be hard for all of us to hold it together.

“It’s going to be a very emotional set but for the sake of the fans and Ronnie I’m determined to be as professional as possible.

“It will be difficult – everybody knows that. But it will be a celebration of a great man.”

* Look out for a full and exclusive interview with former Sabbath, Deep Purple and Trapeze frontman Hughes right here later this month.