Wendy Dio, wife/manager of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio has released the following statement on his official website :
Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45 a.m. [on Sunday] 16th May. 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. We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us. Please give us a few days of privacy to deal with this terrible loss. Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever.
Ronnie James Dio had performed with ELF, RAINBOW, BLACK SABBATH, and his own band DIO.
He is widely hailed as one of the most powerful singers in heavy metal, renowned for his consistently powerful voice and for popularizing the "devil's horns" hand gesture in metal culture. He was most recently involved with HEAVEN & HELL, a project which also included former BLACK SABBATH bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice.
The first piece of music I ever bought, was Dio's "Holy Diver" back in '85. I loved it then, and I love it still.
Norlanderon May 17 2010 14:47:04
Fond memories of Holy Diver and other pieces of his work.
OKJoneson May 17 2010 18:17:41
One of the first songs I remember loving was Sunset Superman, still love it. Some of my favourites are last in line, egypt, all the fools sailed away, holy diver, dream evil, don't talk to strangers, man on the silver mountain, temple and the king, catch the rainbow, kill the king and I almost forgot heaven and hell.
Norlanderon May 17 2010 23:58:17
I was thinking about the songs you summarized and then "Egypt"...a Dio song I didn't know maybe... and found out that I've mislabeled it The Chains Are On and always believed it was called that