Mensan Posted May 16, 2010 Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 You will be missed. http://earsucker.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/ozzy.jpg http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_obit_ronnie_james_dio Metal legend Ronnie James Dio dead at 67 By WAYNE PARRY, Associated Press Writer Wayne Parry, Associated Press Writer – 2 mins ago 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. Though he had recently undergone his seventh chemotherapy treatment, he was hopeful to perform again. Earlier this month, the band 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." http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w179/krysslee/Dio.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted May 16, 2010 Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 Metal has lost a God. RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Jones Posted May 16, 2010 Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 RIP... All we have left is the mumbling Ozzman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 614Streets Posted May 16, 2010 Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 Guy was huge. RIP. My favorite DIO rip right here.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littleguy Posted May 16, 2010 Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 Holy crap!! This is a very sad day for metal. Ride the tiger... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
302Powered Posted May 16, 2010 Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87GT Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 http://www.myconfinedspace.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/9yxkcf0zc3ztiyyyvq14-700x560.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3.1cutlass Posted May 18, 2010 Report Share Posted May 18, 2010 Wow. Thats crazy. I just saw him live with Heaven & Hell last summer. What an awesome show and an amazing voice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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