GatewayRedbirds.com

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.

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.

Didn't realize he was that old - wow!

Saw them in Peoria with Accept opening many years ago -- very cool show!! He had a very good career.

[YouTube=]<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1Sxc25uWqI8&hl ... ram><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1Sxc25uWqI8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>[/YouTube]

Don't know much about Dio, and I didn't realize he was the original lead singer of Rainbow. I remember this Rainbow song from back when:

[/youtube]

StL Dan wrote:[YouTube=]<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1Sxc25uWqI8&hl ... ram><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1Sxc25uWqI8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>[/YouTube]

Tried to fix that for you, Dan. Is this the video you were trying to post?
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Sxc25uWqI8&hl][/youtube]

yes, that is the one! nicely done. wish i could figure out how to embed youtube vids

is he the one credited with starting the devil horn hand gesture?

Jocephus wrote:is he the one credited with starting the devil horn hand gesture?

According to Wiki:
He was widely hailed as one of the most powerful singers in heavy metal,[1] renowned for his consistently powerful voice and for popularizing the "devil's horns" hand gesture in metal culture.

Dreams in the Dark is my favorite.

tscards wrote:Didn't realize he was that old - wow!

Saw them in Peoria with Accept opening many years ago -- very cool show!! He had a very good career.

Yeah. Surprisingly, he released singles as far back as 1959, and then was in a band called Elf, before he ever sang for Rainbow.

and I swear I am not making these up.

in 1959
Seneca S-178-102 Ronnie Dio & The Red Caps - An Angel Is Missing / What'd I Say?

first solo single
Atlantic 2145 Ronnie Dio - The Ooh-Poo-Pah-Doo / Love Pains (1962)

also
Lawn 218 Ronnie Dio - Swingin' Street / Gonna Make It Alone (1963)
Swan 4165 Ronnie Dio - Mr Misery / Our Year (1963)
Valex 001 Ronnie Dio - Love Potion #9 (1964)
Kapp 697 Ronnie Dio - Say You're Mine Again / Where You Gonna Run To Girl (1965)
Kapp 725 Ronnie Dio - Smiling By Day (Crying By Night) / Dear Darlin (1965)
Kapp 770 Ronnie Dio - The Way Of Love / Walking Alone (1966)
Parkway 143 Ronnie Dio - Walking In Different Circles / Ten Days With Brenda (1967)

my brothers facebook status

RIP Ronnie James Dio. Keep riding that tiger & raising those horns at the great butt-rock concert in the sky~