Ronnie James Dio

[WildcatOne]

I am not a big Heavy Metal fan. I have skirted the edges of that genre without diving in along with a lot of my musician friends when it got "big" back in the day. But I do know a good singer when I hear one. Ronnie James Dio had a truly great voice, which broke new ground in rock music and put "Heavy Metal" in a new, more interesting and to me, intelligent perspective. He vocally illustrated another world. This man paid more dues than the hundreds of others combined who followed in his footsteps. I watched an interview with him a few years ago and I was shocked...in person, he was the antithesis of what you saw and heard onstage. He was like a buddy who you could just hang out with and talk about stuff. I honestly expected the primadonna rock star act. No way with Dio. He was an honest, polite, easy-going, down-to-earth, hard-working, all-American guy with real talent, solid ethics, high morals and strength of character. My wife said "That guy had a good upbringing." He was grateful for his success and he did everything he could to live up to it without making one single enemy...even the Philistine guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, formerly of Deep Purple ( I liked Purple. They had great songs) who gave Ronnie his big break with Rainbow couldn't find anything to complain about with Dio. He accepted all of it, eventually moved on and kept going to the end. Everybody who knew him, loved him. Classic Metal wouldn't be the same if he hadn't been there. He changed it for the better, in my opinion. Thanks, Ronnie, and rest in peace. You will be missed. WC1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronnie_James_Dio

[SLICK VIC]

Rest In Peace little brother Ronnie James Dio,....

A true Grit Metal Rocker, Ronnie you will be missed but forever heard.

Metal Gods Rule.

[Big Erik]

RIP Ronnie.......I can't say it better than you guys did.....he was a very down to earth guy who just liked what he did.....from his rockabilly roots in 57-58 to his first hard rock band ELF,to rainbow,sabbath,and in the end heaven and hell (essentially Black sabbath)......he will be missed..........ERIK