R.I.P., R.J.D.

Reports of his death were premature, but not by much. Ronnie James Dio died Sunday morning in Houston of complications from stomach cancer. He was 67.  Blabbermouth has posted a tribute from Lars Ulrich, Metallica's drummer.

Comments

[R.I.P. RJD]

Always a sad sad somber feeling my gut when men lie Dio head to the great gig in the sky.

Ronnie was a real rock and roller. He provided many many great times and great music.

Ronnie you will be missed by many. Thank you for the making it a lil better down here.

ROCK AND ROLL NEVER DIES.
RnR lives forever,
be it in Heaven or Hell.

[mankvill]

Said it before and I'll say it again: dude had class, a personality that everyone loved, and better pipes and stage antics than most bands 1/3 his age. He will live on forever as one of heavy metal's grandfather's. Everyone needs to blast Elf, Rainbow, Dio or Dio-era Sabbath for the next couple of days.

I saw Mastodon tonight, and in between each band they only played Dio material over the PA and there were tons of "DIO!!!" shouts and even a Dio chant right before Mastodon came on. What better way to celebrate the life and achievements of a legend than with a 5 hour performance of what he gave birth to?

RIP Ronnie James Dio

1942 - ∞

[Bubba]

I tell those less-informed / younger music fans about R.J. DIO - he was much more 'serious' about the heavy metal genre than OZZY was (in my humble opinion). I mean OZZY would rant on (and on) about hopping aboard his crazy train and going insane-o but DIO had a different approach to music. Both frontmans are well worth their weight in gold - DON'T get me wrong.

RONNIE JAMES DIO - 1942-2010

[wadkc]

I can't believe I'll never get to hear "the voice" again live. One of the best pipes in the biz. As Ronnie use to sing... "Long Live Rock 'n Roll". Please, please, please go give that song a spin.

[dio fan]

Dio was one of my all-time favorites. I saw his first two solo tours, and then was fortunate to see a Heaven & Hell concert in Denver in 2007. There were maybe only 4,000 people there, but Dio was so appreciative to the fans for all of their support through the years. It was one of those shows where you sense it might be the last chance to cheer someone who made music that had a big impact on you. People were flying the devil horns all night.

Dio's voice was strong as ever. Amazing, really. A friend who went with me who did not know anything about Dio guessed from seeing him on stage that he was in his 40s. He was 64.
The DVD from that tour, filmed at Carnegie Hall, is excellent.

For the ride to work:
7. Neon Knights
6. Straight Through the Heart
5. Heaven and Hell
4. Last in Line
3. Children of the Sea
2. Don't Talk to Strangers
1. Holy Diver

Thank you, Ronnie
\m/ \m/

[pellboy]

Wow, out of touch I guess as i didn't even know this was going on this weekend. Not really a big metal fan but I always loved Dio since his days with Rainbow (the live On Stage album was a particular favorite)and beyond as a solo act and with Sabbath (his version very underrated because of the shadow of Ozzy)/Heaven & Hell. I just always thought he had the most manly (non-screeching), quintessential rock voice and the one you would want fronting a hard rock/metal band if you were drawing one up on paper. He will be sadly missed.

[Steve]

He seems bigger then I thought. Cnn.com has the story on the front page. He was never a hit maker, not flashy, was never good looking, and the last most people ever heard from his was when "Holy Diver"

But he had a hell of a voice. I remember picking up the Queensryche "Operation Mindcrime II" CD came in 2006 and Dio showed up on the song "The Chase" and was very good.

[MetalHEAD]

I was lucky enough to see Dio with Sabbath / BOC at Municipal in 1980 (Black & Blue tour); bone-crushing show. They opened with War Pigs and slammed into Neon Knights; felt like I was being it by a sonic hammer every time Ronnie belted out a line. Heavy as heavy gets.....

Amazing voice & a class act; he will be missed. Best wishes to his wife and family.

[Dio Rulez]

MetalHEAD, I was at that Black and Blue tour too. It was the loudest show I have ver attended ( about 1500 concerts lifetime ). I am not complaining or bitching, I am just sayin ... my ears rang for 3 days : ) it was so much fun.

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It is kind of amusing to here the kids today blab about how great thier "corporate rock" is, I actually feel sorry for them, that that they missed the heyday.

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We will all miss you Ronnie, I hope you can have have fun, where ever you are man. I hope you feel better now, cancer sucks!!!

[Steve]

I do see "Holy Diver" and "Heaven & Hell" from Sabbath on the itunes top 10 rock albums, so some are discovering his music.

[gsp]

gotta go with "Long Live Rock and Roll", my choice for easy listening today!

[Geordan]

Saw Dio singing with Black Sabbath on "The Mob Rules" tour back in '82 or so at Municipal Auditorium. I dug his work with the Sabbath guys (as well as his other projects), but that Sabbath show was easily the LOUDEST concert I ever attended. Motorhead came close, but Ronnie, all these years later, your awesome voice is still ringing in my ears. I truly hope more fans of today's version of Hard Rock (can't stand 95% of it, personally) will take it upon themselves to buy ANY of Ronnie's fine work.

[Bubba]

Read on Pollstar's site that DIO'S pappy is still living. Wow! What is he, like 90? Rock on,dad!

[Right On]

X2, no make that..

X7 on that Bubba!!!!

"ROCK ON, DAD!!",
I hope you can find some solace how much people loved your Son.