Wendy Dio, the widow and longtime manager of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW, HEAVEN & HELL), spoke to Eric Blair of "The Blairing Out With Eric Blair Show" at this past Saturday's (December 1) Icons & Idols-Rock 'N' Roll Auction at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills, California.

Asked for her opinion of STRYPER's cover version of the BLACK SABBATH classic "Heaven And Hell", Wendy said (see video), "I think they're a great band, and I think it's great that they would do something like that. I really do; I think it's great. A lot of people do covers, and if they do them well, I think it's great. It's a very nice acknowledgement as well."

STRYPER's version of "Heaven And Hell" was included on the band's covers album, "The Covering", which sold around 4,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 175 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Produced by frontman Michael Sweet, "The Covering" was unlike any previous STRYPER recording in that it was a collection of cover songs from bands that inspired them and helped to shape their sound and musical identity, including hits from JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN, LED ZEPPELIN, KANSAS and many others.