Believe it or not,Dio's early work with Elf wasn't heavy metal,but really bluesy stuff..I found a CD with his Elf years and it's definately different from his later music which I think started with his work with Blackmore's Rainbow and got even heavier with Sabbath.I had read somewhere that Jim Dandy Mangrum of Black Oak Arkansas was considered to take Ozzy's place before Dio stepped in.Jim Dandy by the way turned 59 this year.To me,that was the ultimate southern rock band and one of my favorites.
Ted Nugent in 1969 with the Amboy Dukes — “Journey To The Center Of Your Mind” — AWESOME GUITAR RIFFS!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HRpbvuU1D8&feature=related
NUGENT ROCKS!