Breaking News
It's Confirmed: Ronnie James Dio Dies At Age 67

Band Photo: Black Sabbath (?)
The rumors have now been confirmed. Ronnie James Dio died this morning at 7:45am, as confirmed by his wife, Wendy who has posted the following message on Ronnie James Dio's official site and official Facebook page:
“Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45am 16th May. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private good-byes 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. Wendy”
Ronnie James Dio (born Ronald James Padavona) lost his battle with stomach cancer and passed away at age 67. Dio made a name for himself when he fronted the Ritchie Blackmore led band Rainbow, who released their first album in 1975. After leaving Rainbow, Dio was asked to replace Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath, to which he agreed. With Black Sabbath, he recorded two highly acclaimed studio albums in the form of "Heaven And Hell" and "The Mob Rules." After leaving Black Sabbath, he formed his own self-titled band and became one of the biggest draws in heavy metal during the 1980s.
Dio briefly reunited with Black Sabbath in the early 1990s, releasing the "Dehumanizer" album before leaving once again to concentrate on his own band. Another reunion with Sabbath followed in 2006, this time under the new moniker, Heaven & Hell, reulting the acclaimed album, "The Devil You Know" in 2009.
Dio was diagnosed with stomach cancer late last year and the band recently cancelled their tour dates in Europe as a result of Ronnie's health.
The news of Dio's death has also been reported by Blabbermouth.net, who was in touch with Wendy Dio after the premature reports of his death in the early AM hours.
Please check out our "Sunday Old School" feature dedicated to Ronnie James Dio that we ran shortly after the announcement that he had stomach cancer.
Our thoughts go out to Dio's family and friends and metal fans who consider the legendary singer a hero.
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119 Comments on "Ronnie James Dio Dies At Age 67"
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Greatest Vocalist in the history of the genre...There never will be another like him - ever...
And this is why funerals are so quite - because there is nothing that can be said. No spiritual platitudes , No words of comfort from outsiders - nothing.
Speaking of quite , the world just got a lot quieter in the worse possible way.
Thank you Ronnie - for everything...HORNS.
This is unthinkable. He seemed like someone who would never die. Dio is just as important to metal as Ozzy, Iommi, Halford, or Dimebag. He's easily just as great a vocalist as Halford or d***inson. I was fortunate enough to see him live two summers ago and he truly is a presence to be reckoned with. I'll be cranking my Holy Diver and Last in Line albums of plenty in his memory. R.I.P. RJD STAY METAL MY FRIENDS!
The first song I ever heard from him was "Rainbow In The Dark".
I will be watching a video I have of one of his live performances tonight. He lived a good life, and he left his mark on us all. To celebrating his life: \m/
"Rock N' Roll children
Alone again
Rock N' Roll
Without a friend
But they got rock n roll."
RIP Ronnie James Dio

R.I.P. Ronnie James Dio.
You are one of thee True METAL Gods.
A Legend. Forever.
Inventor of our beloved Horns!
You will NEVER be forgotten. Your music and Inspiration will forever Live on.
My thoughts and condolences to his wife and family.
Thank you soo much for Everything you have ever done for us and for METAL.
\m/
I got the news while listening to Heaven & Hell Live in Radio City Music Hall, which was kind of surreal.
So glad I saw him in concert in Boston last August. Who could have guessed it would be one of the last shows he would perform this side of Valhalla?
Damn =^(.
Horns up \m/ \m/
goddamnit....this is a pretty hard blow
the small statured GIANT of a man was to my mind the 1st real heavy singer....a tremendous influence to all legit metal musicians in his amazing and pioneering ability, style, and class
....he made the mountains shake, with laughter as he played, spreading magic all across the world....
may his mighty roar forever rock the great beyond
The first song I heard with his vocals was Holy Diver.
But the DJ didn't announce it, and I didn't hear it on the radio again (though I caught it on a mix tape! The wind at the beginning intrigued me, so I pushed record even though I had no idea what song was coming up), so it was FIVE YEARS before I found out who the artist was so that I could FINALLY purchase the tape.
My current favorite with him is Sign of the Southern Cross.

Let us NEVER forget the single greatest vocal performance in Metal history - CHILDREN OF THE SEA - LIVE EVIL VERSION!
Listen to it again , If the f***ing passionately sung Eb4 ( a note he SANG - not screamed - the highest note written for the male voice in opera ) doesn't move you , you might just be dead!
Metal's resident Italian tenor - like Caruso if he breathed FIRE...never another - ever.
First and foremost, my prayers go out to the loved ones that this metal legend has left behind. Truly one of the saddest days in Metal.
Secondly, I think there are a select few people that owe the MU.com staff a sincere apology for the earlier bashfest.
Just a thought. RIP Ronnie James Dio

Do your demons,
Do they ever let you go?
When you've tried, do they hide, deep inside
Is it someone that you know?
You're a picture,
You're an image caught in time.
We're a lie,
You and I, we're words without a rhyme.
rjd let ur soul shake the realms of metal ...in the same manner it did when you snarledthese lines
Honestly I was never a fan of his solo material and it took me a while to get into his Sabbath stuff but no-one can deny that he had one of the best voices in the world. I was lucky enough to see Heaven & Hell at Graspop last year and Ronnie sounded fantastic. A true legend of heavy metal.
My condolences go out 2 all of his family & close frnds...As 4 Wendy, u hav 2 b strong & don't let dis stop u frm living....@ least dats not wht he wants u 2 do. He was a tru pioneer of heavy metal music & of power metal in general. His legacy will live on in our <3, our minds, & our souls. I love u...we all love u man & u will surely b missed.... \m/
I'm still in shock over Dio's death.. he's just one of those guys that you don't think will ever die. I never got a chance to see him live, but Dio had one of the greatest voices in metal, and it's undeniable that he was one of the biggest influences on metal to ever live. RIP Ronnie James Dio.. and much sympathy to your friends and family. \m/
What "MAGICA" lungs RJD was Blessed with...'surely Heaven is rejoiceing right now with such an amazing Icon Vocalist/Musician/Writter. Ronnie James DIO rest in sweet harmony - much Heartfelt embrace condolences to his wife/Manager Wendy Dio & their son and to his legendary band DIO & other master bandmates/bands that worked with him throughout "many" richly yrs! What an treasure accomplished music Career DIO brought full circle. Rest in peace mystical "MAGICA/HOLY DIVER" etc.,. #1 Vocalist Ronnie James DIO...'your legacy & music lives on forever. Godbless!
R.I.P. Ronnie James Dio
You provided the soundtrack to many great moments in my life and i cannot express my thanks and admiration
to all the youngsters and uninitiated
check out Rainbow Rising, Long Live Rock and Roll and Live in Munich 1977 are all classics and deserve eternal attention. Also Dio Holy Diver and Heaven and Hell The Devil You Know are great
tenacious d can eat a d**k with their sarcastic bs

A remarkable man, a generous spirit, a dedicated professional and warm human being to whom each fan was important. I never got to meet Ronnie James Dio; never even got to see him in concert. But Michelle's words made me feel as if I had, and I wept. Also includes previously unpublished photos of some of those very special moments. http://shar.es/mYCWD \m/
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Wow and people were giving you such a hard time when you first reported his passing. As hard a time as people gave me for saying he was still alive! LOL Oh people are strange huh?