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. Bert

    MAdeeb ... what is a true metalhead? Is that like alloy metals, soft metals, or just any metal? I'm confused.

    May 17, 2010 at 12:13 am | Report abuse |
  2. Joel A. Lopez

    We will miss you RJD.
    But, we will remember you forever.
    Raise those hands and those 2 fingers.
    God Bless You... RIP

    May 17, 2010 at 12:13 am | Report abuse |
  3. Ernie

    Good Question Bert!

    May 17, 2010 at 12:13 am | Report abuse |
  4. Bert

    Joel ... Raise those hands and those 2 fingers .... and then shove em up your nose.

    May 17, 2010 at 12:15 am | Report abuse |
  5. Jeremy M.

    I did not know of his illness. A painful way to pass, sadlly. Rock on beyond, Ronnie. You entertained and influenced millions over your long career.

    May 17, 2010 at 12:16 am | Report abuse |
  6. Bert

    Boring Old Fart .... it takes someone really strong to drink their problems away ....

    May 17, 2010 at 12:16 am | Report abuse |
  7. Bert

    I've never been on a board before where so many people didn't understand the finality of death ... YOU CAN"T ROCK AFTER YOU DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    May 17, 2010 at 12:18 am | Report abuse |
  8. Big Bird

    What did I miss here?

    May 17, 2010 at 12:18 am | Report abuse |
  9. Bert

    Well Big Bird, It appears that most people think that dead people can still rock .... It's rather strange..

    May 17, 2010 at 12:20 am | Report abuse |
  10. Ernie

    Bert's right ... dead people don't rock.. they just lay there..

    May 17, 2010 at 12:21 am | Report abuse |
  11. Tomas

    I don't think there will ever be someone as great as Dio was, his music has inspired people all over the world, he shall never be forgotten!! Rest In Peace Dio and live forever in the Metal Heaven

    They say that lifes a carousel
    Spinning fast, you've got to ride it well
    The world is full of kings and queens
    Who blind your eyes and steal your dreams
    Its heaven and hell, oh well
    And they'll tell you black is really white
    The moon is just the sun at night
    And when you walk in golden halls
    You get to keep the gold that falls
    Its heaven and hell

    I think that says it all..

    May 17, 2010 at 12:22 am | Report abuse |
  12. Kerry Loughlin

    i'll miss you ronnie!!!!!!

    May 17, 2010 at 12:22 am | Report abuse |
  13. Ernie

    Tomas, that doesn't really make any sense .. let's try and work on that.

    May 17, 2010 at 12:23 am | Report abuse |
  14. Bert

    You tell em Ernie!!

    May 17, 2010 at 12:24 am | Report abuse |
  15. sandy

    Silver linings may disappear but they always shine. Shine on Ronnie. Had the wonderful opportunity to spend many good times with him. What a wonderful person that I am happy to have gotten to know. My thoughts are with Wendy and Ronnie's son.

    May 17, 2010 at 12:25 am | Report abuse |
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