buddahj Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 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 was being treated at a Houston hospital, according to his site. Though Dio had recently undergone his seventh chemotherapy treatment, he was hopeful to perform again. Earlier this month, 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." RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budlitebrad Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheikYerbuti Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 Someone posted on FB that this report is a hoax. I hope so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratesownninjas Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 Someone posted on FB that this report is a hoax. I hope so. No, its not a hoax. Rumors broke out last night that he had died. Dio's wife spoke with some of the media last night saying that he was in grave shape, but was still alive. He died today. Sad, Sad day in the metal world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeductiveNun Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheikYerbuti Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 No, its not a hoax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh B Tool Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 "If you listen to Fools, The Mob Rules!!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rattsass Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 Dio rocked. Definitely one of my all time faves, and never really seemed to get his due. Thank you Ronnie,and RIP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 Saw him fronting Black Sabbath. Good stuff. For those who want to hear his best work (IMO) check out Rainbow's Rising album. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whomper Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 (edited) Sad stuff. RIP Ronnie. Edited May 17, 2010 by whomper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'canes2004 Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 (edited) So sad. I have seen Dio so many times over the years. He was probably the greatest voice in metal. I remember listening to Rainbow as a kid and being instantly hooked. Then came his stint in Sabbath and what many consider their best album, Heaven and Hell. His solo stuff was also just classic metal. I got to meet him at the HOB in Orlando about 8 years ago and he was so nice and gracious to all his fans. A true gentleman. Saw Heaven and Hell in '07 and they were great! Was looking forward to seeing them again this year but it's not to be. Another piece of my youth has passed on. RIP RJD Horns Up \m/ \m/ Edited May 17, 2010 by 'canes2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Cid Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 Like a Rainbow in the Dark. RIP Ronnie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T_bone65 Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 RIP Ronnie, Heaven and Hell 1 of my alltime metal favs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Beatings Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 I honestly thought that this guy has been dead for decades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loaf Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfden1 Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Liked his stuff with Richie Blackmore and Rainbow too...Man on the Silver Mountain, Stargazer, etc. RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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