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."

[sinanju]

I did NOT like that album cover.

[Longbow1969]

Ugh, sad to see him go.

One of the first concerts I ever saw was Dio during The Last In Line tour. Awesome concert.

[angcat]

I saw that tour at the Garden in the mid 80’s.

[Viking2002]

Oh, man this really sux on so many levels...........!

"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."

[tobyhill]

He wasn't the first concert I saw but I remember Lock Up The Wolves Tour with the opening band called Love and Hate. During DIOs song Children Of The Sea the band members of Love and Hate came rowing in the stage in a bathtub with the fog coming out. It was one of the funniest moments I had ever seen at a concert.

[infidel29]

\m/_ ... _\m/

(Heavy Metal horns) R.I.P. Ronnie James Dio.

[Volunteer]

Rest in peace. I had no idea he was fighting cancer.

[real_patriotic_american]

RIP Ronnie James Dio!

Saw him perform (and several weeks later, saw Ozzy perform).

[Longbow1969]

Yup, was an awesome concert. I saw him many more times at places like the House of Blues.

Holy Diver and The Last in Line are still two of my favorite albums. Some of his stuff with Sabbath off Mob Rules is pretty excellent as well.

[counterpunch]

Well I’m glad this is all about YOU...

RIP Ronnie.

[tobyhill]

It was a very vicious cancer.

[ColdOne]

I always thought he was a up and up guy. RIP He will be missed.

[Bronzy]

I remember the bands he played in such as Rainbow and Black Sabbath. It won’t be the same without him.

[tobyhill]

I was listening to some of his real early stuff and it was still recognizable in his voice but the style was just way different for how he ended up in style.

[Bronzy]

Lot of good concerts on Dio and Rainbow:

http://www.stellarproducts.info/servlet/Categories

[Tolkien]

I screamed “Oh No” when I saw it.

My rock n roll heroes are passing.

[RS_Rider]

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

[reagan_fanatic]

Stone cold by Rainbow. One of my all-time favorites.

RIP, Ronnie. I hope you had time to make peace with your maker.

[RasterMaster]

Been a Dio fan since the Mob Rules album...I'll have to pull out the vinyl later and give that one a spin.

I've never seen a show top the mechanical dragon in the Sacred Heart tour. RIP Ronnie.