Log In | Register
The one who forever will be the man on the silver mountain lost his battle with stomach cancer died at 7:45 on the morning of May 16.
Ronnie James Dio was 67-years-old.
Ronald James Padavona was born in 1942 and grew up to become heavy metal legend Ronnie James Dio.
Dio began singing in bands when he was only 13. By the early Seventies, he was the singer of Elf and became the lead vocalist for Ritchie Blackmore's new project upon leaving Deep Purple-some band called Rainbow, who had a hit with "Man on the Silver Mountain" in 1975.
Dio left Rainbow to begin his new gig with Black Sabbath and recorded the infamous album Heaven and Hell, which was released in 1980.
After recording two albums with Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler, Dio pursued a solo career and released Holy Diver under his own name in 1983-he found instant success with tunes like Don't Talk To Strangers, Stand Up And Shout and of course, the title track.
The albums which followed Holy Diver proved that Ronnie could do it on his own, most notably The Last in Line and Dream Evil.
Dio returned to Sabbath for a short time in 1992 when the band recorded Dehumanizer, but arguments with Iommi sent him packing again. Ronnie didn't return until after the turn of the Millennium, when he, his long-time drummer, Vinny Appice, Iommi and Geezer Butler began touring as Heaven and Hell.
They recorded their only album under that name in 2009.
While there were plans for 2010, we all know how the sad story ends. Ronnie became sick during this past summer and began treatment for stomach cancer in Houston. All reports had indicated that things were going well and Ronnie himself made this declaration: "Cancer, I'm going to kick the hell out of you!"
As of this morning, Dio stood up and shouted....for the final time.
Thank you for everything, Ronnie-and don't talk to strangers on the Other Side.
