RIP Ronnie James Dio

[slowpokerhino]

"Ronnie James Dio (born Ronald James Padavona) has sadly passed away from his battle with stomach cancer. He was 67 years old."

[molodoi]

I'm really sad to say that Mr. Ronnie James Dio (Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio, Heaven & Hell) passed away this sunday morning

We have seen lots of rumours announcing his death today until, finally and unfortunately, Wendy (Ronnie's wife) confirmed the bad news.

One of the greatest voice of Rock/Hard Rock has gone today

The world is full of kings and queens...

Rest in peace, Mr. Dio. We'll miss you

[youtube][/youtube]

[molodoi]

we posted the bad news on the forum at the same time

[Lavox]

Very unfair.

At least he left a legacy we can only dream of.

[LukeSG]

Aged 67...just brilliant...right up to the end he was still doing it.

Heavy Rock / Metal just lost one of its most mighty voices.

[surfnorthwest]

The best rock singer in the business period. This just sucks, I am going to miss him. I hope for his sake all the satanic crap was all show and he was right with God.



A very recent picture of Ronnie with his wife Wendy, you can see already how frail he looked

[StephenRutledge]

Sad day... RIP Ronnie.

[surfnorthwest]

One of his last interviews

[youtube][/youtube]

[tramp]

RIP ronnie. My heart goes out to his wife Wendy and his family. I wish them every strength as they deal with this terrible news.


He will live on forever in the hearts and minds of his fans

[SteveD]

Very sad indeed. A key figure in my musical domain when I was growing up.

I met him at Newcastle City Hall on his first UK tour with Rainbow in 1976. I was only 16 then but he spent a lot of time talking to me and proceeded to draw pictures all over my programme. (Wish I still had it!). I remember he signed 'RJD' on what was left of a packet of Trebor mints he had in his pocket when I asked for a momento. I had them in a drawer for years but eventually threw them out because they had turned yellow! I was also very impressed when Ronnie was naming streets in my home town of South Shields which was 10 miles down the road. Of course I forgot that Colin Hart (Deep Purple and Rainbow tour manager) is also from South Shields and had taken Ronnie down there that day. Great times!

Top guy who leaves a rich legacy to the music world.

[TonyC]

Very sad! He was very much a part of my earliest inspirations learning about music.

[frank9310]

The best rock singer in the business period. This just sucks, I am going to miss him. I hope for his sake all the satanic crap was all show and he was right with God.



A very recent picture of Ronnie with his wife Wendy, you can see already how frail he looked

I remember some of his stuff but have been stuck mostly in a Jimi warp since the beginning but the man could wail like no other. Man on a silver mountain, etc.

I read that he started doing the devil horn thing because his grandmother being an Italian used to make that sign of the Maloik when confronted with unfortunate events, or just when these are mentioned or suggested, a person wanting to avoid that fate could resort to the sign of the horns to ward off bad luck. It is a more vulgar equivalent of knocking on wood. Or you could aim it at somebody you wanted to exact revenge on and put the Maloik on them.

Though I don't know if he ever professed any allegiance to the one below there's only One from above who will be the final judge of it all and I hope we'll all be saved in the end! Check out this article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_of_the_horns

[Taz5150]

Rip RJD, an awesome voice and a fantastic performer, i was lucky enough to catch him at the Uea Norwich Uk a couple of years ago when he performed the Holy Diver album, Doug Aldrich playing guitar... Great night, top stuff, he will be sadly missed by all who appreciate his contribution to rock and roll. Rainbow, Sabbath mk2, Dio and Heaven and Hell. Rob

[Kongels]

He seemed like a real class act and truly accepted that he was living a blessed life as a rock star. Never was a big fan of his but after watching interviews with him I couldn't not like the guy.