Metal legend Ronnie James Dio dead at 67

[DJ13]

– 10 mins 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. Dio was being treated at a Houston hospital, according to his site.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_obit_ronnie_james_dio

[greencharlie]

1. sucks... one of the voices from my formative years ;) nt

[Echo In Light]

2. The Lighter Side of Ronnie James Dio

By DAVE ITZKOFF

For a guy who sang about tigers, demons, wizards, evil and hell, Ronnie James Dio had a pretty good sense of humor about himself. Mr. Dio, the onetime lead singer of Black Sabbath and front man of his eponymous heavy metal band, died on Sunday at 67. But over the years he threw his devil’s horns in approval of a few satirical tributes in his honor.

Perhaps the best known of these comic homages is “Dio,” performed by Tenacious D, in which Jack Black and Kyle Gass declare that Mr. Dio’s time as a monarch of rock has passed, and he must pass along his cape and scepter to them (well, really, just to Mr. Black):

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/17/the-lighter-side-of-ronnie-james-dio/

God speed, Ronnie

[Echo In Light]

3. Dio - Rainbow in The Dark (the original early 80s British video)

This one sure takes me back...

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/263862/