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Ronnie James Dio 1942 - 2010

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by oz_media 1 view

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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

18 replies

by nexs

I have to admit, though I'm not a remarked fan of his work (though definitely not an anti-fan!!), he has made his mark on the industry. I think, even though he will be missed, he left the world as a legend of sorts. Isn't the dream of all rock (or music in general) persons to go out "With a Bang"?
Look at Jackson, he was both famous and infamous, but left the world gobsmacked. Let the world see Dio for the great he's done - Don't miss him, remember him.

That's my piece.
R.I.P.

by nicknielsen

Although I am not as serious a metal fan as some here, I am a serious music fan.

Dio was all about good music. He will be missed. R.I.P.

by santeewelding

To respond -- didn't it?

Hope I didn't provoke a cascade of unsettling thoughts.

Actually, no. I lie. That's exactly what I was up to.

by oz_media

I was just talking with a guy who worked that show with me, he had never seen DIO before with Heaven & Hell, I'd only seem them togethyer once before and we both felt REEEEALLY lucky to be there.

When we saw Dio perform, we were both shocked that he still had that incredibly powerful, clean and well annunciated delivery. People have always compared him and Halford as the top metal voices on the planet. I feel the two simply can't be compared as they are so very different in tone, yet still identical in their powerful and clean delivery. One thing that sets Dio apart form others is that instantly recognizable tone, no matter who we was with, his tone simply jumps out with any group he has been with.

Well, one is gone now and I am honestly still in a bit of shock over it all. It simply hasn't really set in yet, to hear another of my musical heros and one of the greatest influences to rock vocalists worldwide is no longer here.
I guess what I can't get me head around is how in top form he was just last fall, mind you that was a couple of months before he was diagnosed with stomach cancer.

Again, I am just so glad I got to be a part of their last show here and am sure he will live on in my music library forever.

by santeewelding

We each sing, a melody our own.

Since you are younger, you have longer to make a difference.

What's-his-face, the dead guy, was my age. I look at this in a way differently than you may.

You sing.

by oz_media

Have a little respect, please. And don't even bother with some defensive reply, it's not needed and would create an unwelcome tangent to a thread focused on his memory.

by santeewelding

Except, defense is not possible given no offense to a living soul -- there being only you and I; I speaking only for me; leaving only you as tangential.

by oz_media

Now THAT was an incredible album, truly showcased his vocal talents. With Sabbath he was forced to support that dropped E key that is now the norm for almost all modern rock bands, but with his solo career and even Rainboow, he was able to push the limits. Albums that are all but impossible to sing along to due to his range.

an interesting note on dropped E sound of durdgy metal, it was initially used because Toni Iommi had chopped of his fingertips and found it easier to play in dropped E instead of spanning the guitar kneck normally.

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