Metal legend Ronnie James Dio dead at 67

Metal legend Ronnie James Dio dead at 67

By WAYNE PARRY (AP) – 1 hour ago

Ronnie James Dio, whose soaring vocals, poetic lyrics and mythic tales of a never-ending struggle between good and evil broke new ground in heavy metal, died Sunday, according to a statement from his wife and manager. He was 67.

Dio revealed last summer that he was suffering from stomach cancer shortly after wrapping up a tour in Atlantic City, N.J. with the latest incarnation of Black Sabbath, under the name Heaven And Hell.

"Today my heart is broken," Wendy Dio wrote on the singer's site, adding he died at 7:45 a.m. "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," Wendy Dio continued. "We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us ... Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever."

The statement was confirmed by Los Angeles publicist Maureen O'Connor.

Though he had recently undergone his seventh chemotherapy treatment, he was hopeful to perform again. Earlier this month, the band Heaven And Hell canceled its summer tour, but Dio did not view being sidelined as a permanent thing.

"Wendy, my doctors and I have worked so hard to make it happen for all of you, the ones we care so much about, that this setback could be devastating, but we will not let it be," he said in a statement. "With your continued love and support, we ... will carry on and thrive. There will be other tours, more music, more life and much more magic."

Dio rose to fame in 1975 as the first lead singer of Rainbow, the heavy metal band put together by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, who had just quit Deep Purple.

Dio then replaced legendary vocalist Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath in 1980 with the critically acclaimed album "Heaven And Hell," considered by many critics to be one of the finest heavy metal albums of all time. His on-again, off-again tenure with Black Sabbath touched off an intense debate among fans as to which singer was the true essence of the band — a discussion that lasted until his death.

He also enjoyed a successful solo career with his self-titled band, Dio, in between his three stints with Black Sabbath (1980-82; 1992; and 2007-2009, when the band toured as Heaven And Hell, to differentiate it from Osbourne-led versions of Sabbath).

Many of his most memorable songs revolved around the struggle between good and evil, including his signature tune "Heaven And Hell." He also drew heavily on medieval imagery in songs like "Neon Knights," "Killing The Dragon" and "Stargazer."

"He possessed one of the greatest voices in all of heavy metal, and had a heart to match it," said Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French, whose band toured with Dio since 1983, and was to do so again this summer at European rock festivals. "He was the nicest, classiest person you would ever want to meet."

Dio organized an all-star charity collaboration in 1986 called "Hear N' Aid" to raise money for famine relief in Africa, styled on the successful "We Are The World" campaign of a few years earlier.

His solo hits included "Rainbow In The Dark," "The Last In Line" and "Holy Diver."

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Online:

www.ronniejamesdio.com/

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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just heard the news, sucks bigtime. Rest in peace Ronnie

I will never forget his music. When i used to get fucked with as a kid in middle school, i would just put on some black sabbath and every time a song with Dio came on, i would turn it up just a little bit louder. RIP

OMG I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS HAS HAPPEND.... REST IN PEACE

RIP Ronnie

I AM STILL STUNNED AND GREATLY DISTURBED AT THIS SAD TURN OF EVENTS, 67 FOR CHRIST SAKE. I guess it goes to show just how mortal we all are and life should not be taken for granted at any point nor time, hell not to mixed topics or crossthread in any way but I see a lot of posts regarding safety when exploring abandonments etc well what about all the chances were taking by crossing into area that can potentially end us be it instantly through falling through a rotted floor or in years to come from C A N C E R. The thought I'm trying to get across is basicly this lets try to respect ourselves more and not treat life so carelessly!, think before you venture off or with whatever it is your doing in the future if its gonna be a risk thats not worth it then make the right choice. THINK ABOUT TOMMOROW BEFORE TODAY Just think how many of us are going to miss RONNIE and everything he would have had to offer us.