Ronnie James Dio Dead at 67 - I Can't Believe Dio Died

Ronnie James Dio dead at 67 faced me when I returned home this evening. I can't believe Dio died! Ronnie James Dio died from stomach cancer. He just completed a tour in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

According to ABC News and Associated Press, Wendy Dio posted on Ronnie James' site, "Today my heart is broken. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private goodbyes before he peacefully passed away."

The Dio death happened at 7:45 AM. Dio died in Houston, Texas. Wendy also said, "Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all. We so appreciate the love and support you have all given us...Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever."

Ronnie James Dio had undergone a seventh chemotherapy treatment. He hoped to return to performing though the band Heaven and Hell canceled the summer tour. The statements made by Wendy Dio were confirmed by L.A. Publicist Maureen O'Connor.

Ronnie James Dio was the first lead singer of Rainbow. I remember them because I was a metal head in high school for a couple of years. Black leather jackets and jeans and too much eyeliner were my daily costume.

Dio replaced Ozzy in Black Sabbath in 1980 with "Heaven and Hell" when it became considered one of the best heavy metal albums ever by critics. He also had a band named "Dio." In 1986, the year I graduated high school, Dio organized Hear 'n Aid to raise money for famine in Africa.

Dio (Ronald James Padavona) was born on July 10, 1942 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire then moved to Cortland, NY at a young age. Dio was the only child in an Italian family. He was raised a Roman Catholic and later found the experience unsatisfying. His hometown of Cortland has a street in his honor named Dio Way.

According to Wikipedia the first instrument Dio played was the trumpet. He recorded a few singles with rockabilly bands as a boy. Ronnie started using the name Dio professionally in 1961. His band became Ronnie Dio and the Prophets then Elf in 1967.

Dio attended college at the University at Buffalo but never graduated. He was also offered a scholarship to Juilliard School of Music but decided to go for rock music. He attributed his awesome vocals to breathing techniques learned playing the French horn as a child.

Dio used the notorious heavy metal "devil horns" because his grandma used to make the gesture to ward off the evil eye. The gesture is used to scare it away and give someone the evil eye (or Malocchio in Italian).

Dio's first wife in the 1960s was Loretta Berardi. They adopted one son, Dan Padavona. He works in Binghamton, NY as a meteorologist for the National Weather service. After his divorce, Ronnie James married Wendy Galaxiola.

I extend my sympathy to Wendy, his family, friends and fans. My favorite songs by Dio include "Holy Diver", "Rainbow in the Dark"and "Hungry for Heaven."

SOURCES:

ABS News

Associated Press

Wikipedia