May 16th, 2010
06:56 PM ET

Metal rocker Ronnie James Dio has died, wife says

Heavy metal rocker Ronnie James Dio died Sunday morning after a battle with stomach cancer, his wife announced.

"Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45 a.m. 16th May," Wendy Dio said in a message posted on his official website.

Dio, 67, followed Ozzy Osbourne as Black Sabbath's lead vocalist in 1979.

"Many, many friends and family were able to say their private good-byes before he peacefully passed away," she wrote. "Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all."

Born Ronald James Padavona in 1942, Dio's professional music career began as a high school student in the late 1950s.

His 1960s rock group The Electric Elves evolved into Elf by the early 1970s, when the group played heavy blues rock.

Dio's rock became darker with his band Rainbow, which he left in 1979 to join Black Sabbath.

Black Sabbath released three albums with Dio, including "Heaven and Hell" in 1980, "Mob Rules" in 1981 and "Live Evil" in 1982.

Dio left that band in 1982, but he had a brief reunion with the group a decade later. He formed the group Dio in 1982. The group continued to perform until his illness.

His last public appearance was in April at the Revolver Golden Gods  Awards when he accepted a vocalist of the year award his work on last  year's Heaven and Hell album. Dio appeared frail, but he was able to  speak when accepting his award.

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soundoff (788 Responses)
  1. David

    I just can´t believe it, he was my favorite metal singer, RIP Mr. Dio, now angels really will know how to sing.

    May 16, 2010 at 8:57 pm | Report abuse |
  2. johnny bacolas

    very very sad. one of the best metal vocalist. so many memories to holy diver when i was a teen. i've listened to rainbow in the dark 10 times at least today. i am heartbroken.

    May 16, 2010 at 8:57 pm | Report abuse |
  3. J-Sin

    THANK YOU for all your GREAT music! Rest in Peace

    May 16, 2010 at 8:59 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Kristopher

    Long Live Rock and Roll,R.I.P.

    May 16, 2010 at 8:59 pm | Report abuse |
  5. ECP

    Dio will rock forever! \m/ \m/

    May 16, 2010 at 8:59 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Richard White

    There will never be another Metal God like Ronnie James Dio, Long Live Rock and Roll!!

    May 16, 2010 at 9:00 pm | Report abuse |
  7. ANDROLOMA

    He must have been hungry for heaven, cause he raised a little hell while he was here. Goodbye RJ!

    May 16, 2010 at 9:00 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Oogie

    Black Sabbath released three albums with Dio, including "Heaven and Hell" in 1980, "Mob Rules" in 1981 and "Live Evil" in 1982.

    4 ALBUMS. DEHUMANIZER 1992.

    May 16, 2010 at 9:01 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Chris

    Bye Ronnie, Thanks for all the fun and good times!

    May 16, 2010 at 9:02 pm | Report abuse |
  10. Smbitterman

    The world of metal has lost a legend. A very talented, passionate lyricist and vocalist, he epitomized metal in a way that today's groups could never possibly begin to understand. He WAS metal! God bless you, RJD. Rest in peace. I know that I will miss you.

    May 16, 2010 at 9:02 pm | Report abuse |
  11. diodarren

    Wow what can truly be said the metal world no the whole world lost one of its greatest voices. Long live metal long live rock n roll long live Ronnie James Dio!

    May 16, 2010 at 9:02 pm | Report abuse |
  12. mbeyor

    One ofthe greatest Metal voices of our time is now silenced. RIP RJD. You got me through the eighties.

    May 16, 2010 at 9:04 pm | Report abuse |
  13. Adam in NJ

    Farewell Ronnie, see you on the other side – you will be missed 🙁

    May 16, 2010 at 9:04 pm | Report abuse |
  14. Dio devil

    Dio the devil. Not much of a loss, really. Man on the silver mountain. All else was bunkcraptastic.

    May 16, 2010 at 9:04 pm | Report abuse |
  15. Bushpig61

    Glad I got to see him last summer in the Metal Masters tour. I can't believe he was 67. A legendary vocalist.

    May 16, 2010 at 9:04 pm | Report abuse |
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