RockyRaccoon Posted May 16, 2010 Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 Metal legend Ronnie James Dio dead at 67 By Wayne Parry, Associated Press Writer 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. Though he had recently undergone his seventh chemotherapy treatment, he was hopeful to perform again. Earlier this month, the band Heaven And Hell canceled its summer tour, but Dio did not view being sidelined as a permanent thing. "Wendy, my doctors and I have worked so hard to make it happen for all of you, the ones we care so much about, that this setback could be devastating, but we will not let it be," he said in a statement. "With your continued love and support, we ... will carry on and thrive. There will be other tours, more music, more life and much more magic." 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinkstones Posted May 16, 2010 Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 The only song they did I've heard is Rainbow In The Dark. RIP. Cancer sucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chutzpah Posted May 16, 2010 Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 Ronnie James Dio rocks...RIP Cancer does suck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLizard Posted May 16, 2010 Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 He still had some rocking left to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 He was a talented guy, that's sad to hear. RIP Ronnie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ombre Vivante Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 Wait. Is this a hoax?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLizard Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 No. http://ronniejamesdio.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MindCrime Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 R.I.P. Ronnie James. He was a talented rocker and member of Black Sabbath & Rainbow and won't be forgotten in the metal world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Laurie_ Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 Very sad news... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viaene Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 R.I.P. Ronnie! The local radio station suddenly play his songs today, and this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 That is horrible news. R.I.P. Ronnie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonJonSurfer Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 Dio was a rock and roll original. Talented, great personality, smart and a fun guy (if interviews mean anything). Too young and he wanted to keep on rocking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steel2Velvet Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 Unbreakable mylar vocal cords; that's all can think. One of those ageless wonders for a voice. Good to think he was battling to the end and ready to go back on stage, should he have won. That is creative soul! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levis Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 NOT DEAD YET HANG IN THERE, DIO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farin Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 Message from Wendy Dio Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45am 16th May. 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. - Wendy Dio http://www.ronniejamesdio.com/ I think that's a confirmed source... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLizard Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 Yeah, that's what I was thinking... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockyRaccoon Posted May 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 I saw him in concert with the rest of Heaven & Hell (aka Sabbath). He was so good, so friendly. I always joked with my friends that if Dio ever sang in a building he might bring it down with his voice. So much good music. Really makes me sad to see him go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miamisammy29 Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 THE GREATEST HEAVY METAL SINGER OF ALL TIME! RIP, BUDDY! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonJonSurfer Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edna Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 Bad, bad news... I remember we had plans to see him in Granada some years ago... we finally did some other things like having dinner or so... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonJonSurfer Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 Just out this story from a NY DJ telling about the kind of guy Ronnie was: He could never sit still. I hope "The Man On The Silver Mountain" is singing loud and hard up there! Ronnie James lost his battle with stomach cancer yesterday, but this man, who may have been smallin stature had the heart of a lion. He LOVED what he did, and he LOVED his audience. One defining Dio story: Maybe 8 years ago, backstage picnic with Q listeners at the PNC, a 3-bill act with Ronnie James as the opening act. This is not backstage where the band eats, but in a private tent near the artists' green rooms. I ask if one of the musicians could pop-in and say "hi" to the fans? The headliners didn't come (to be fair, they probably never were told we were there); the middle act's manager said: "They'd like to come by, but they're too busy resting before they go on...right. But Ronnie James? When he heard YOU were there, he came out with a full box of pictures and a sharpie, signed autographs for every Q listener, took private pictures with every listener, and thanked every person individually for supporting him through the years. Afterward I thanked him for being so nice. Ronnie said: "No, no - thank THEM for letting me do what I LOVE; I am the luckiest man in the world, and I have the listeners to thank for it. And, the Q audience, especially my neighbors on Long Island, could not be nicer." AND...remember...Ronnie had to go on FIRST! He only had 15 minutes to change and get ready for stage. The band may have been called "Heaven & Hell," but I sure know where Ronnie is right now... Rock on up there, my friend! Other little-known "Dio" facts: He was born Ronald James Padavana in New Hampshire, but grew-up in Cortland, NY (where there is a "Dio Way" named after him!) He took up the name "Dio" after mobster Johnny Dio. During a performance in Darien, NY in 1997, Dio revealed that he had attended the University of Buffalo, majoring in pharmacy. He was also offered a scholarship to Julliard, but passed because he loved rock & roll! Ronnie never had any vocal training - He always attributed his singing ability to the correct breathing techniques he learned playing the French Horn as a child. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viaene Posted May 28, 2010 Report Share Posted May 28, 2010 Classic Rock understands that two major concerts are being planned to celebrate the life of the late Ronnie James Dio. Details are sketchy at present, but what is for sure is that the gigs are going to be dubbed Ronnie James Dio "Stand Up And Shout" Memorial Concerts. They will take place in London and Los Angeles in autumn 2010. Speculation is mounting that the shows will feature the surviving members of Heaven And Hell – Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice – with Judas Priest’s Rob Halford filling in for Dio on vocals. But we must stress this has not been confirmed. However, as Halford has deputised for both Dio and Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath before, a precedent has already been set. Full details of Dio’s Memorial Concerts are to be announced shortly. Stay tuned to RonnieJamesDio.com for further info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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