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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.
On Twitter
Thank you Dio for your songs that got me through my teen years...
I will miss you Ronnie James Dio....you inspired me to pick up the guitar. Gonna jam some Holy Diver in your memory right now....
For a great performance by RJD, see "Tenacious D : the pick of destiny" Classic Dio.
Sad, Talked with him after a show in the 80's in Rapid City SD, very nice man! my FAV. singer! R.I.P. have a tat of the sabbath cross with hand thru it thats how much of a fan of his I am.
There's no sign of the morning coming, You've been left on your own, Like a Rainbow in the Dark
R.I.P. Ronnie Jame Dio
See you in Hell Ronnie. What? Like he's going to Heaven?
No such thing as heaven or hell you fools.
Dio will live on!
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
RJD RIP
It is incredibly sad to hear of Ronnie James Dio passing away today . I had the pleasure of meeting him a few times – he was a true gentleman , always took time to talk with fans and take photos – never left a venue until every fan had a chat and a photo , that is rare these days !!!!!!!!!!
\m/ \m/
RIP Ronnie...thanks for the inspiration and lasting memories
\m/
On the first piece of rock n roll I ever bought. Thank goodness got to see him with Sabbath.
Ronny youll be missed.
And only now will this man's talents finally and tragically be recognized. This loss is beyond words, the world is full of kings and queens who blind your eyes and steal your dreams indeed RJD, you are metal.
RIP, DIO
A unique talent and voice. It wouldn't matter what song he sung, you would always know that voice. R.I.P. Ronnie.
Years ago I had the pleasure of touring with him, and he was one of the nicest men I have ever met. I am so very sorry to hear of his passing, and wish all of his family the best through this very difficult time.