Heavy Metal Singer Ronnie James Dio Dead at 67

By PopEater Staff Posted May 16th 2010 08:01PM

Heavy metal legend Ronnie James Dio died early Sunday after a battle with stomach cancer. He was 67.

Dio's wife, Wendy, broke the news today on Ronnie's official website.

"Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45am 16th May," she wrote. "Many, many friends and family were able to say their private good-byes before he peacefully passed away. 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."

Dio's cancer was first announced last November. He was expected to take part in this summer's Heaven & Hell tour, which was subsequently canceled in May due to his health.

After stints with bands like Elf (formerly the Electric Elves), Dio was recruited by Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore to form Rainbow in 1975. Dio left the band in 1979 and quickly joined Black Sabbath as a replacement for Ozzy Ozbourne. Dio's first album with Black Sabbath was the iconic 'Heaven & Hell,' released in 1980.

Dio, who is often credited for creating the devil horns hand gesture, recorded two additional albums with Black Sabbath -- 'Mob Rules' and 'Live Evil' -- before leaving in 1982 over reported sound mixing issues on 'Live Evil.' He went on to lead his next band, Dio, shortly thereafter, where he was joined by Black Sabbath drummer Vinny Appice.

Dio would later reunite with Black Sabbath on 1992's 'Dehumanizer.'

Dio released 10 albums under his namesake band, including 'Holy Diver,' and remained with the band throughout, despite numerous departures and changes.

In 2006, he formed the band Heaven & Hell with Appice and Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler. Together, they released one studio album -- 2009's 'The Devil You Know -- as well as a live CD.

At a Los Angeles event in April, Dio gave Artisan News an update on his battle with cancer, saying, "If you're determined to beat it, then you have to go with what you believe is going to beat it for you."

Born Ronald James Padavona in Portsmouth, New Hampshrie, Dio released his first record in 1958 with Ronnie & the Redcaps. He was married twice -- first, to Loretta Berardi, with whom he adopted a son, Dan.

Dio's stage name was reportedly inspired by New York mafia member Johnny Dio.

For more on Ronnie James Dio, visit Spinner.

Tags: ronnie james dio

Comments

(54)

Monday 17 May

By Raz (Johnny Matthews)

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THE PUREST voice of heavy metal has been silenced, but his sound will never cease.

By Doug Few

You are gone Ronnie but you will never be forgotten.I last saw him in Biloxi,Ms.1984.but followed on print and video.Luv the Dio.

By Gorgeous

Hail to the mini metal god! R.I.p. RJD! U will forever live on in your music

Tuesday 18 May

By Felipe

Rock and Roll is crying. I feel empty today... Our world has just changed without him..
Hope you're better wherever you are, but u deserve a whole world for your own.
Thanks for all you have done for us, your fans.
We'll sing your songs forever, Dio!

(YOU'RE like a rainbow in the dark...)

By NATHAN

Its the way of this sad world today. bret micaels gets a headache and its big news. Ronnie James Dio, heavy metal icon leves us, and it barely makes news.

By debbie

R.I.P. Ronnie J Dio. You were one of the best heavy metal Gods. When you came to Wis. Summerfest, I know across lake Michigan, they heard the performance. We will never forget. Rock out in heaven.

By brad

metal has lost one of its greatest of all time, Dio was the only one good enough the take ozzys place in sabbath whats gona happen to sabbath now with him gone, metal will truly never be the same again

By John Casady

We have lost a GREAT ONE....The strongest heavy metal voice of all time...he will rest on the other side of the "Rainbow in the Dark"

By AMERICAN

I'm saddened by the news of our loss of Ronnie. He was the only metal-(GOD-)singer that I know of who could sing and snarl at the same time. Many can snarl, but not sing very well. Others can sing, but don't snarl. He could do both simultaneously. One of the greatest singers and front men of ALL TIME, and moreover, an extremely articulate and intelligent man. Metal is that much less without him.
I was able to see him and Sabbath three times in the last two years. That lineup, with Dio, Iommi, Butler and Appice was the BEST Sabbath lineup (with all due respect to Ozzy), whether it was called Black Sabbath or Heaven and Hell. I am grateful that I was able to take my teen sons to see them in concert last year and the year before. They saw THE godfathers of metal, and probably the greatest metal singer. Our hearts go with Ronnie, and our prayers with his wife and loved ones.

Wednesday 19 May

By stan dyer

THE WORLD IS FULL OF KINGS AND QUEENS. HE OPENED OUR EYES AND LIVED OUR DREAMS!!
RIP THE GREATEST VOCALIST OF ALL TIME

Tuesday 25 May

By James

\M/ Rock on forever Dio \M/

Wednesday 02 June

By Lord Hong

Stargazer was the song that peaked at the top of the silver mountain of rock - from here it was all slowly downhill until finally the bottom was reached the day Ronnie James Dio crossed over into the Rainbow he dreamed of and which was waiting to embrace him for releasing so many souls of their chains here on earth.
We Will Never Forget You - Long Live The King!!!

Monday 21 June

By scott

I miss you aready man, we are all selfish an we want you back

Saturday 08 January

By BIG JOHN

Sorry for being late on this but just saw the news. Been away from the sceen for years. My condolences to you wendi and all your family. many years ago rjd and I had many good times that I and others will remember for ever. RJD INDEED WILL BE MISSED BY ALL. doobie brother number 1 BIG JOHN

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