As I know there are some metal fans around here, figured I’d pass on news that Ronnie James Dio passed away today, at age 67. He was first diagnosed with stomach cancer in November 2009 and had a short battle until his peaceful passing this morning.
Having just recently been hired for a local marketing stint with Heaven & Hell (Black Sabbath’s new moniker with DIO)and noting he was in absolute top form on stage, it comes as quite a shock to myself and I am sure many others in the music world. He really was looking and sounding fit as a fiddle.
Born in Portsmouth, New Hamsphire, DIO had a music career spanning 53 years, beginning with the release of the first single by Ronnie and the Red Caps and spanning through ELF, Rainbow, Black Sabbath (replacing Ozzy), his self titled band DIO and for the last few decades, Heaven & Hell.
The iconic Heavy Metal ‘Horns” salute, (index and little finger held up with the thumb and remaining fingers meeting in the palm), was brought to heavy metal by Dio (well he got it from his grandmother anyway).
DIO is renowned throughout the heavy metal genre as having THE metal voice, always jostling back and forth each year with Rob Halford as the Heavy Metal vocalist of the year.
Judging by the age of his fellow Heaven & Hell (Black Sabbath) band members, Toni Iommi, Geezer Butler and the younger Vinnie Appice, I wouldn’t expect to see another Heaven & Hell tour, besides possibly a tribute or charity performance, but that is merely speculation on my part.
Dio will be missed in the music world, he mroe than made his mark, had a long career full of firsts and recived many accolades for his contributions.
For a video clip from the most recent tour:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ozmedia#p/a/0B3021A2100E634A/2/_Qb3WqyCLsg
http://www.youtube.com/user/ozmedia#p/a/0B3021A2100E634A/0/DBu5LvpF8Mg
And to think I was just sitting back at the sound desk, had I known better I would have made an effort!
R.I.P.
Ronnie James Dio – July 10, 1942 ? May 16, 2010
