In Memoriam: Ronnie James Dio (1942-2010)

Many of you wrote in with the news that legendary metal/hard rock pioneer Ronnie James Dio (born Ronald James Padavona) succumbed to stomach cancer at 7:45am on May 16th. Dio, 67, followed Ozzy Osbourne as Black Sabbath's lead vocalist in 1979 and recorded three albums with the influential band. Afterwards, he formed the eponymous Dio who released the heavy metal staple, ,Holy Diver and several other albums with a variety of lineups. Dio most recently was touring with Heaven and Hell, a version of Black Sabbath renamed for legal reasons. All shows were canceled last March because of his illness.

Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.