Heavy metal legend Ronnie James Dio dies

[BABY1]

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Ronnie James Dio, whose soaring vocals, poetic lyrics and mythic tales of a never-ending struggle between good and evil broke new ground in heavy metal, died Sunday, according to a statement from his wife and manager. He was 67.
Dio revealed last summer that he was suffering from stomach cancer shortly after wrapping up a tour in Atlantic City, N.J. with the latest incarnation of Black Sabbath, under the name Heaven And Hell.

"Today my heart is broken," Wendy Dio wrote on the singer's site, adding he died at 7:45 a.m. "Many, many friends and family were able to say their private goodbyes before he peacefully passed away.
"Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all," Wendy Dio continued. "We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us ... Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever."
The statement was confirmed by Los Angeles publicist Maureen O'Connor.

Dio rose to fame in 1975 as the first lead singer of Rainbow, the heavy metal band put together by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, who had just quit Deep Purple.
Dio then replaced legendary vocalist Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath in 1980 with the critically acclaimed album "Heaven And Hell," considered by many critics to be one of the finest heavy metal albums of all time. His on-again, off-again tenure with Black Sabbath touched off an intense debate among fans as to which singer was the true essence of the band — a discussion that lasted until his death.
He also enjoyed a successful solo career with his self-titled band, Dio, in between his three stints with Black Sabbath (1980-82; 1992; and 2007-2009, when the band toured as Heaven And Hell, to differentiate it from Osbourne-led versions of Sabbath). Many of his most memorable songs revolved around the struggle between good and evil, including his signature tune "Heaven And Hell." He also drew heavily on medieval imagery in songs like "Neon Knights," "Killing The Dragon" and "Stargazer."
"He possessed one of the greatest voices in all of heavy metal, and had a heart to match it," said Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French, whose band toured with Dio since 1983, and was to do so again this summer at European rock festivals. "He was the nicest, classiest person you would ever want to meet." Dio organized an all-star charity collaboration in 1986 called "Hear N Aid" to raise money for famine relief in Africa, styled on the successful "We Are The World" campaign of a few years earlier. His solo hits included "Rainbow In The Dark, "The Last In Line" and "Holy Diver."

[skinnyman]

Tweetsitting on my back patio yesterday afternoon and heard the news. Definitely a downer and really puts things into perspective that i'm getting old as i listened to him all through HS and college. Recently, put on my ipod for the gym.

[pigmeat]

TweetDio was one hell of a performer....rip

[ROAD WARRIOR]

TweetBlasted DIO at work this morning. He was a very cool and unique performer.

[Dzone]

TweetHe was popular when I was going through a long period of Extreme Fundamentalist Christianity. Dio and his cohorts in Black Sabbath were always considered to be satanic so we NEVER listened to them...LOL...If you played me a Dio song, I would have no idea who it was...We only listened to Christian bands like degarmo and Key and Petra...such was life in those days.Oh well.

[daved150]

Tweeti remember many a bonfires with dio ripping on the ol'boom box!!! rip brother!! your a metal legand!!!

[Dzone]

TweetI always feel kinda stupid when someone famous like that dies and I really dont know who they are...Man, I probably missed out on a lot of stuff when I was off going to church camp and preaching the gospel...LOL...I can honestly say that Dio, Ozzie ozborn, black sabbath, kiss, were absolutely forbidden in the circles I hung with...We listened to strictly gospel music and Christian rock...kinda funny looking back...now I listen to anything and church is something I dont really need anymore . Life evolves.

[jipped genes]

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i remember many a bonfires with dio ripping on the ol'boom box!!! rip brother!! your a metal legand!!!

oh yeah. guys would thrash to the music in the back of a pickup truck and the 21 year old guy would would pull up with the keg for us high schoolers

dio brings back good memories

[skinnyman]

Tweetyes he has passed but his music lives on....

[mtnmedic]

TweetYeah I was really shocked when I heard about it on the radio, heard he was getting better. I allways wanted to see him when I was a kid, but it wasn't till some years ago I was able to finally see my rock hero...scary to think how life can be so short. Damn im going to miss him.