RIP Ronnie James Dio - The Great Gig In The Sky Gets One Hell Of A Voice
Monday, 17 May 2010
Written by Jon Stickler
American rock music legend Ronnie James Dio has sadly passed away, losing his battle with stomach cancer.
Ronnie Dio will go down in music history as having a massive impression on rock music. Coming into the spotlight in the mid-1970s, the singer started out as the frontman of hard-rocking band Rainbow, formed by British guitarist Ritchie Blackmore.
Having toured every continent, Ronnie Dio was contacted by heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath after the band were forced to sack fellow metal icon Ozzy Osbourne. Even though filling a shadow cast by the Prince Of Darkness himself could seem an impossible task, Ronnie Dio managed to fit-in perfectly with the band, even taking the group in an all new direction for a near decade.
Going on to form his own band Dio, the singer was later diagnosed with stomach cancer last year. Fighting a brave battle for months while in hospital, Ronnie Dio eventually passed away on Sunday 16th May losing his battle with the disease. A true black sabbath.
The singer’s wife Wendy confirmed the sad loss through a statement made on on the Ronnie Dio’s official website. “"Today my heart is broken" she wrote. "Many, many friends and family were able to say their private goodbyes before he peacefully passed away. Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever."
As well as the many many hit songs and the massive tours, Ronnie Dio was also known for his trademark ‘devil’s horn’ hand gesture. Close friend and guitarist of rock band Twisted Sister, Jay Jay French paid tribute to the singer saying, "He possessed one of the greatest voices in all of heavy metal, and had a heart to match it."
RIP Ronnie James Dio.
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