Heavy Metal Veteran Ronnie James Dio Dies, Aged 67

abc ^ | 5/16/2010 | reuters

[tobyhill]

Ronnie James Dio, the pint-sized heavy metal singer who replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath, died on Sunday, five months after being diagnosed with stomach cancer, his wife said. He was 67.

The rocker, born to an Italian-American family in New Hampshire as Ronald James Padavona, also led his own band, Dio, whose 1983 song "Holy Diver" is a classic-rock radio staple.

"Many, many friends and family were able to say their private good-byes before he peacefully passed away," Wendy Dio, who also managed her husband, said in a statement.

"Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all. We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us. Please give us a few days of privacy to deal with this terrible loss. Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever."

[Viking2002]

Not to pick at a nit in this thread, but 'Stone Cold' was Joe Lynn Turner-era Rainbow.

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away, for his name is Obama."

[representativerepublic]

I was at the Tampa Bay Rays game last night and in between the action while playing filler music they played a segment from “Holy Diver”. It gave me goosebumps to hear it. Now this.

RIP RJD. Thank you for your contributions to the music industry and a large part of my youth.

[tobyhill]

I was watching Southpark, the episode when the hippies took over, and I'll never forget the solution on how to get rid of hippies, HEAVY METAL!

[counterpunch]

Here's a photo I took in front of the Guitar Center in Hollywood in 2007.

[DesScorp]

““Heaven and Hell” in my opinion, one of the greatest heavy metal albums of the ‘80’s. R.I.P.”

Agreed. Still listen to it frequently.

I’d heard about his stomach cancer a few weeks ago. I knew he wasn’t very long for the world then. But hey, look at it this way. What other rock stars do you know had a career that started with a 50’s doo-wop band, and ended with heavy metal?

[BallyBill]

Rainbow!

[pnh102]

A cover of Holy Diver done by Pat Boone, with DIO himself singing backup vocals... with a highly appropriate sendoff at the end.

[RS_Rider]

At least he didn’t “Die Young”

[CodeToad]

One of the Rock legends. RIP.

[ezo4]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhe1SuBGkiA

[Deetes]

RIP

[xzins]

his music will live on forever."

I understand the sentiment, and what they're trying to say....

but

it won't be forever.

[sharkhawk]

First real concert I ever saw was Black Sabbath starring Ronnie James Dio in 1983. Great show.

[LS]

I just interviewed his bass player, Rudy Sarzo, last week and he hadn’t mentioned Dio was sick. But Rudy alternates between Blue Oyster Cult and Dio, so perhaps it wasn’t on his mind.

[HKMk23]

... with a highly appropriate sendoff at the end.

Yaaah. THAT was almost as Twilight Zone as when Yul Brynner did that no smoking ad back in the '80's.

[Revel]

Well he was an extremely talented artist. Sadly he comes right out and tells you in that song that he doe not choose God or heaven.

Part Two:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD1FxpSzVQo&NR=1

Part One:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sRNaYEPLsw&feature=related

And he will finally find out the answer to this Question:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOfcBNRzUgo&feature=fvw

Best Hopes for his family.

[Falconspeed]

Very talented rocker. Prayers for a his soul as he faces the “sentenza definitiva” and the final judgment of the Lord.

[BnBlFlag]

Never heard of the guy!

[TypeZoNegative]

He’s rocking it out in heaven right now with Peter Steele.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Internet hoax.