By Empress Eve
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Sunday, May 16th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Singer and heavy metal legend Ronnie James Dio died on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 7:45 AM after battling stomach cancer, according to an online post by his wife Wendy Dio. He was 67.
After quelling the rumors yesterday about the singer’s death, his wife updated Dio’s official site this morning with the news of his passing today.
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
Back in November, it was reported that Dio, who fronted rock greats like Black Sabbath and Rainbow, as well as his long-time solo act Dio, was diagnosed with stomach cancer and was undergoing treatment at the Mayo Clinic after canceling his European tour [read Rock Legend Ronnie James Dio Diagnosed With Stomach Cancer].
Dio’s cancer had been caught in its early stages, and in March, his wife posted online that after seven chemotherapy treatments and various tests, Dio’s tumor had shrunk down a lot and that his visits to a cancer clinic in Houston, TX has decreased from every two weeks to every three weeks. On May 4, Heaven & Hell (the renamed Dio-era Black Sabbath) announced that they were canceling their European summer because the singer was not well enough to tour.
Dio is survived by his wife, who was also his long-time manager, one son, and two grandchildren.
Born Ronald James Padavona in Portsmouth, NH, on July 10, 1942, he grew up in Cortland, NY. His first break was with the band Elf where he caught the attention of Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, who was forming Rainbow. Dio sang on the band’s most notable albums from 1975-1978, co-writing classics like “Man on the Silver Mountain,” “Stargazer,” and “Kill The King,” as well as rock anthem “Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
After creative differences with Blackmore, Dio left Rainbow in 1979 to replace singer Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath. With Dio at the helm, the band moved way from their more doom and gloom sound, adopting Dio’s more upbeat tempos, incorporating more mystical lyrics into their songs. With Sabbath, Dio co-wrote some of band’s greatest songs — “Heaven and Hell,” “Children of the Sea,” “Mob Rules,” “Neon Knights,” I could go on a while with this. Basically, the first two studio albums with Dio — Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules — are near perfect.
In 1982, Dio left Black Sabbath to pursue a solo career, forming a band called Dio, in which he achieved even more successful with albums like Holy Diver and Last In Line and became best known for the tune “Rainbow in the Dark.” Dio’s solo career had continued going strong all these years; during that time, he also rejoined Black Sabbath/Heaven and Hell several times for new albums and tours.
During the 1980s, Dio solidified his status as a heavy metal icon with his Sabbath albums, as well as his solo records, not to mention his popularizing the “heavy metal horns” \m/\m/. He was undisputedly one of the greatest rock/heavy metal singers of all time, and an amazing songwriter.
Dio was an exemplary performer and frontman til the end. Well into this 60s, the singer was still a vibrant entertainer with a lot of stamina, and his voice was consistently solid. As a musician and performer, he was far from past his prime; he seemingly still had very many years left of making music and doing live shows ahead of him.
Tenacious D recorded the song “Dio” on their 2001 eponymous debut, paying homage to the singer by joking that “Dio has rocked for a long, long time, now it’s time for him to pass the torch” [to them]. Dio, who has indeed rocked for a long, long time and was rockin’ right up until the end, even appeared as himself in Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny, even performing an original song in the film. Sadly, now the time truly has come for Dio to pass the torch.
Ronnie James Dio will be greatly missed. All of us headbangers here at Geeks of Doom are greatly sadden by his passing, as he was a major influence on our lives and continued to put on excellent shows for fans around the world. A bunch of us went to see Dio in Heaven and Hell a few years ago, and they were one of the first acts I took my nieces and nephews to see. I’ve probably seen him live at least 20 or so times since the late 1980s. He transcended generations of fans, and it’s tragic that he was taken before his time. Ronnie James Dio will never die in the hearts and minds of all of his fans; he will forever rock.
The music world has lost a true gem. It’s always sad when a performer passes away, but for someone like Dio who was still going strong, and rockin’ out, playing live, making music, it’s just so tragic. He was diagnosed only six or so months ago and now he’s gone.
After the rumors yesterday, I had really hoped that the news today would be that he was getting better. When I saw that there was no news this morning, I figured he’d be OK. But now it’s true, he’s really gone. RIP RJD, one of the great ones, you will live forever in our hearts and through your music. \m/\m/
RIP Ronnie James Dio.
The little man with a voice like a giant. You will be missed by many forever.
I can´t believe this…………. my heart is broken.
Keep on rockin in metal heaven.
Dio was amazing! He may be gone, but he has left an impact on the world wether he knows it or not. he will be forever remembered and loved. RJD you will forever remain close to our hearts and we shall forever love you!
Comment by Zackie Shaddix — May 16, 2010 @ 5:09 pm
The last of the true Rock And Roll vocalists is gone but his voice will live forever and ever. God bless you dear Ronnie… and thanks a lot for the music, dude!!!
Dio was a Rock Legend and he was and still is the best. He will always be remembered as a God of rock and his spirit will live one forever! R.I.P. Ronnie James Dio! WE ALL LOVE YOU!
Ronnie James Dio
Many…..or should I say, ALL musicians who played with him, owe him their careers, including Richie Blackmore.
The first back stabber and loser to disrespect Ronnie was Vivian Campbell. Had it not been for Ronnie, Vivian would be a nobody (although playing…and I use the term loosely…with Def Leppard has become the equivalent).
Richie Blackmore was not everyone’s favorite guitarist and an egocentrical ass. Ronnie brought the people in to those Rainbow shows with his God given talent and warm and humble personality.
Vinnie Appice…..we all know how many years Ronnie carried him on his shoulders. A lackluster, boring drummer who could do only one thing – keep time, yet Ronnie was there, and so was Vinnie’s paycheck – he alone should carry the funeral expenses.
Jimmy Bain…who cares or looks up to him today..or ever – nobody…but thanks to Ronnie, his face appears throughout countless rock magazines and got undeserving attention.
Craig Goldy – wow, how many albums does it take to convince the world you truly suck? Lord knows he’s still trying to do so, cause after more than 2 decades, nobody gives a rats ass about him….but there was Ronnie, giving endless opportunities and generosity as always.
Rowie Robertson – what an ingrate – tremendous amount of potential – one album and away he went…where is he today? Does anybody remember or care – no! But he, just like all the others have to say THANK YOU RONNIE.
Oh wait, wait, theres even Doug Aldrich, who after giving Ronnie his word and having recorded and album,, betrayed him and stabbed him in the back by backing out and hooking up with David Coverdale. Ronnie was very vocal about Doug burning that bridge (take a look at the Holy Diver DVD 95% of Doug’s footage was edited out – there’s a moment where it seems Rudy Sarzo is playing the damn guitar ha, and the photos inside – Doug is cropped out of all of ’em….at least Doug made amends with Dio and came back to do the right thing.
THE WORST GUITAR PLAYER IN THE HISTORY OF ROCK – TRACY G – woooh, he should support the Dio family in Ronnie’s absence – holy shit, how could such an abomination be allowed? Of course, our dear Ronnie, pleasing the fans who wanted no solos in an alternative and grunge plaged infested world got what they deserved – but Ronnie vocals, beautiful, and powerful, and passionate shined right thru as always.
The list of talentless fools who I wished ages ago would’ve sailed away – Claude Schnell, Simon Wright…honestly, only two real musicians were ever appreciative and gave as much as Ronnie – Rudy Sarzo and Jeff Pilson – Ronnie needed more people around him like those two.
Ronnie James Dio was a real man, with a true God given talent that deserves to be remembered not only for his incredible vocal abilities, but for the art of storytellinig in short powerful compositions, for his incredible humility, gracious personality, and enormous contribution the the rock/metal community.
His influence on all past, present and future is so huge and runs so deep that the bar he set is set so enormously high, no one can touch him. Not now, not ever.
His voice never gave out. Powerful and majestic till he passed away. His voice will cease to be heard, it is forever engraved in our hearts and in our minds.
We love you and miss you Ronnie and we don’t want to let go….but God needed an angel and called his beloved son Ronnie…the angel with the golden throat.
MR DIO IS GONE BUT GREATLY MISSED. A GENTLEMAN AND A SCOLAR,
WHO ALWAYS AKNOWLEDGE HIS FANS AND ALWAYS TOOK THE TIME OUT TO GREED THEM. NO MATTER HOW INPOLITE WE WERE.
A FIRM BELIEVER TO ALWAYS GIVE US HIS 110%PERCENT.AND NO MATTER
HOW BAD IT WAS,IN HIS OWN WORDS THE SHOW MUST GO ON.
A true rock legend. As the Saxon song says “We will remember” You Ronnie James Dio were born to rock and roll. Gone but not forgotten,your music lives on.
You were a singer when music was real and genuine. Your music was always played late night, on our local classic rock stations in Jacksonville, Flordia. I always looked forward to hearing it. I love you, and will miss you. RIP
I’m a indian in a land call singapore.In 1988 i brought a album called “DREAM EVIL”
THANK YOU DIO for showing me the path of life in my time of darkness. Will be my ” Man On The Silver Mountain ”
Subramaniam son of Arumugam.
Comment by ROCKERS aka MANIAM aka ROCK RAJA — May 30, 2010 @ 1:00 am
WOW I cant believe this. Dio is dead :'(. Why now….. R.I.P Ronnie James Dio You will surly be missed by many.
Comment by Dakota,pollard — June 21, 2010 @ 2:31 pm
I think i died inside :( we all miss you DIO, you inspired us all. We will never forget you and we won’t forget your glorious music. :) RIP
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Students of the Unusual™ comic cover used with permission of 3BoysProductions
The Mercuri Bros.™ comic cover used with permission of Prodigal Son Press
Singer and heavy metal legend Ronnie James Dio died on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 7:45 AM after battling stomach cancer, according to an online post by his wife Wendy Dio. He was 67.
:(
Comment by Jerry — May 16, 2010 @ 2:53 pm
The music world has lost a true gem. It’s always sad when a performer passes away, but for someone like Dio who was still going strong, and rockin’ out, playing live, making music, it’s just so tragic. He was diagnosed only six or so months ago and now he’s gone.
After the rumors yesterday, I had really hoped that the news today would be that he was getting better. When I saw that there was no news this morning, I figured he’d be OK. But now it’s true, he’s really gone. RIP RJD, one of the great ones, you will live forever in our hearts and through your music. \m/\m/
Comment by Empress Eve — May 16, 2010 @ 2:59 pm
Black Sabbath with Ozzy may have created Metal
But it was DIO that made Metal a reality
Comment by cGt2099 — May 16, 2010 @ 3:41 pm
:'(
NOOOOO. D:
Comment by Dave — May 16, 2010 @ 4:05 pm
RIP Ronnie James Dio.
The little man with a voice like a giant. You will be missed by many forever.
I can´t believe this…………. my heart is broken.
Keep on rockin in metal heaven.
Jouni Illikainen, Mariestad, Sweden.
Comment by jouni — May 16, 2010 @ 4:23 pm
Dio was amazing! He may be gone, but he has left an impact on the world wether he knows it or not. he will be forever remembered and loved. RJD you will forever remain close to our hearts and we shall forever love you!
Comment by Zackie Shaddix — May 16, 2010 @ 5:09 pm
The last of the true Rock And Roll vocalists is gone but his voice will live forever and ever. God bless you dear Ronnie… and thanks a lot for the music, dude!!!
Comment by Aldoux — May 17, 2010 @ 7:48 am
dio you are and will always be the best vocalist ever you sang like a god I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by JD THE DARKRIDER — May 17, 2010 @ 4:08 pm
Dio, you helped me through some tough teen years,now I cry a dragon’s tears.
Comment by bagelwolf — May 17, 2010 @ 6:20 pm
Dio was a Rock Legend and he was and still is the best. He will always be remembered as a God of rock and his spirit will live one forever! R.I.P. Ronnie James Dio! WE ALL LOVE YOU!
Comment by eliptic ionox — May 17, 2010 @ 7:04 pm
Ronnie James Dio
Many…..or should I say, ALL musicians who played with him, owe him their careers, including Richie Blackmore.
The first back stabber and loser to disrespect Ronnie was Vivian Campbell. Had it not been for Ronnie, Vivian would be a nobody (although playing…and I use the term loosely…with Def Leppard has become the equivalent).
Richie Blackmore was not everyone’s favorite guitarist and an egocentrical ass. Ronnie brought the people in to those Rainbow shows with his God given talent and warm and humble personality.
Vinnie Appice…..we all know how many years Ronnie carried him on his shoulders. A lackluster, boring drummer who could do only one thing – keep time, yet Ronnie was there, and so was Vinnie’s paycheck – he alone should carry the funeral expenses.
Jimmy Bain…who cares or looks up to him today..or ever – nobody…but thanks to Ronnie, his face appears throughout countless rock magazines and got undeserving attention.
Craig Goldy – wow, how many albums does it take to convince the world you truly suck? Lord knows he’s still trying to do so, cause after more than 2 decades, nobody gives a rats ass about him….but there was Ronnie, giving endless opportunities and generosity as always.
Rowie Robertson – what an ingrate – tremendous amount of potential – one album and away he went…where is he today? Does anybody remember or care – no! But he, just like all the others have to say THANK YOU RONNIE.
Oh wait, wait, theres even Doug Aldrich, who after giving Ronnie his word and having recorded and album,, betrayed him and stabbed him in the back by backing out and hooking up with David Coverdale. Ronnie was very vocal about Doug burning that bridge (take a look at the Holy Diver DVD 95% of Doug’s footage was edited out – there’s a moment where it seems Rudy Sarzo is playing the damn guitar ha, and the photos inside – Doug is cropped out of all of ’em….at least Doug made amends with Dio and came back to do the right thing.
THE WORST GUITAR PLAYER IN THE HISTORY OF ROCK – TRACY G – woooh, he should support the Dio family in Ronnie’s absence – holy shit, how could such an abomination be allowed? Of course, our dear Ronnie, pleasing the fans who wanted no solos in an alternative and grunge plaged infested world got what they deserved – but Ronnie vocals, beautiful, and powerful, and passionate shined right thru as always.
The list of talentless fools who I wished ages ago would’ve sailed away – Claude Schnell, Simon Wright…honestly, only two real musicians were ever appreciative and gave as much as Ronnie – Rudy Sarzo and Jeff Pilson – Ronnie needed more people around him like those two.
Ronnie James Dio was a real man, with a true God given talent that deserves to be remembered not only for his incredible vocal abilities, but for the art of storytellinig in short powerful compositions, for his incredible humility, gracious personality, and enormous contribution the the rock/metal community.
His influence on all past, present and future is so huge and runs so deep that the bar he set is set so enormously high, no one can touch him. Not now, not ever.
His voice never gave out. Powerful and majestic till he passed away. His voice will cease to be heard, it is forever engraved in our hearts and in our minds.
We love you and miss you Ronnie and we don’t want to let go….but God needed an angel and called his beloved son Ronnie…the angel with the golden throat.
Comment by Magnum — May 18, 2010 @ 6:40 am
MR DIO IS GONE BUT GREATLY MISSED. A GENTLEMAN AND A SCOLAR,
WHO ALWAYS AKNOWLEDGE HIS FANS AND ALWAYS TOOK THE TIME OUT TO GREED THEM. NO MATTER HOW INPOLITE WE WERE.
A FIRM BELIEVER TO ALWAYS GIVE US HIS 110%PERCENT.AND NO MATTER
HOW BAD IT WAS,IN HIS OWN WORDS THE SHOW MUST GO ON.
THANK YOU MR DIO
JOHN BLANDON
Comment by JOHN BLANDON — May 19, 2010 @ 5:25 pm
A true rock legend. As the Saxon song says “We will remember” You Ronnie James Dio were born to rock and roll. Gone but not forgotten,your music lives on.
Comment by mr.bill — May 23, 2010 @ 2:33 am
You were a singer when music was real and genuine. Your music was always played late night, on our local classic rock stations in Jacksonville, Flordia. I always looked forward to hearing it. I love you, and will miss you. RIP
Comment by Jaulania R.R. — May 23, 2010 @ 1:05 pm
I’m a indian in a land call singapore.In 1988 i brought a album called “DREAM EVIL”
THANK YOU DIO for showing me the path of life in my time of darkness. Will be my ” Man On The Silver Mountain ”
Subramaniam son of Arumugam.
Comment by ROCKERS aka MANIAM aka ROCK RAJA — May 30, 2010 @ 1:00 am
WOW I cant believe this. Dio is dead :'(. Why now….. R.I.P Ronnie James Dio You will surly be missed by many.
Comment by Dakota,pollard — June 21, 2010 @ 2:31 pm
I think i died inside :( we all miss you DIO, you inspired us all. We will never forget you and we won’t forget your glorious music. :) RIP
Comment by Josh — July 10, 2010 @ 6:46 am