Shiny diamonds.

May 16, 2010 1:12 PM

The rainbow has gone dark. Wendy Dio, wife and manager of metal legend vocalist Ronnie James Dio, reported that this morning he lost his battle with stomach cancer at the age of 67.

DIO IS DEAD

LONG LIVE

DIO.

posted by The Straightener (135 comments total)

\m/
posted by The Straightener at 1:13 PM on May 16, 2010 [11 favorites]

.
posted by Xoebe at 1:14 PM on May 16, 2010

Born in Portsmouth, NH? From there; did not know that.
posted by theredpen at 1:14 PM on May 16, 2010

Holy Diver this is sad news....
posted by Senator at 1:16 PM on May 16, 2010

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posted by knapah at 1:18 PM on May 16, 2010

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posted by sciatica at 1:20 PM on May 16, 2010

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posted by JauntyFedora at 1:20 PM on May 16, 2010

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posted by Leon at 1:21 PM on May 16, 2010

One day, in the year of the fox
Came a time remembered well,
When the strong young man of the rising sun
Heard the tolling of the great black bell.
One day in the year of the fox,
When the bell began to ring,
It meant the time had come for one to go
To the temple of the king.

There in the middle of the circle he stands,
Searching, seeking.
With just one touch of his trembling hand,
The answer will be found.
Daylight waits while the old man sings,
Heaven help me!
And then like the rush of a thousand wings,
It shines upon the one.
And the day has just begun.

One day in the year of the fox
Came a time remembered well,
When the strong young man of the rising sun
Heard the tolling of the great black bell.
One day in the year of the fox,
When the bell began to sing
It meant the time had come for the one to go
To the temple of the king.

There in the middle of the people he stands,
Seeing, feeling.
With just a wave of the strong right hand, he's gone
To the temple of the king.

Far from the circle, at the edge of the world,
He's hoping, wondering.
Thinking back on the stories he's heard of
What he's going to see.
There, in the middle of a circle it lies.
Heaven help me!
Then all could see by the shine in his eyes
The answer had been found.

Back with the people in the circle he stands,
Giving, feeling.
With just one touch of a strong right hand, they know
Of the temple and the king.


RIP
posted by infini at 1:22 PM on May 16, 2010 [6 favorites]

Aw shit... I had no idea he was even sick. "Neon Knights" is the rockingest thing ever done anywhere.
posted by Crane Shot at 1:24 PM on May 16, 2010 [1 favorite]

Obituary pre-written.
posted by Bookhouse at 1:25 PM on May 16, 2010

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posted by Weighted Companion Cube at 1:26 PM on May 16, 2010

.
posted by DaveP at 1:27 PM on May 16, 2010

I got into Dio because of Rollins.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 1:27 PM on May 16, 2010 [6 favorites]

Gotta love the Dio. R. (for ROCK) I. P., Ronnie, you little homunculus of doom, you.

An enormously influential vocalist - arguably THE definitive metal singer. He absolutely laid out the parameters for what a metal vocalist could/should be.
posted by Dr. Wu at 1:27 PM on May 16, 2010 [2 favorites]

\m/
posted by NoMich at 1:28 PM on May 16, 2010

.
posted by dbiedny at 1:29 PM on May 16, 2010

Here's what I was going to write:

Dio started his career in a rock 'n' roll band named Elf. In Elf, he and other members of the band caught the attention of Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple fame. Blackmore, who was dissatisfied with Deep Purple, left to form Rainbow with Dio. Dio made his mark with Rainbow, but he decided to take on perhaps his greatest career challenge after that, when he decided to join Black Sabbath, as the replacement for the inimitable Ozzy Osbourne.

With Dio, Sabbath released Heaven and Hell to fan acclaim. Although the Ozzy line-up is considered the classic Sabbath lineup, to this day, there is significant demand for the Dio line-up. Even after Sabbath's much-lauded reunion with Ozzy, the Dio line-up was reconstituted in 2007 and toured successfully under the name Heaven and Hell.

Dio also enjoyed a successful solo career in the '80s and to a lesser degree in the '90s. He became a figure of ridicule to some degree, but after a time mocking references to him began to take a tone of underlying respect.

I think that a good chunk of that mockery turned to respect, and he went out on top. I know that I thought he was ridiculous when I first found out about him. I still do, but I also understand what a powerful musician he was.
posted by ignignokt at 1:29 PM on May 16, 2010 [4 favorites]

.
posted by biochemist at 1:29 PM on May 16, 2010

I got into Dio because of Rollins.

I remember reading in Get in the Van, that there was one Black Flag tour in which Greg Ginn would play Dio constantly in the van.
posted by ignignokt at 1:30 PM on May 16, 2010 [1 favorite]

Speaking of Elf, here they are covering War Pigs by Sabbath. Huh, pretty cool.
posted by NoMich at 1:33 PM on May 16, 2010 [2 favorites]

Dio has rocked for a long long time
but now it's time to pass the torch...

.
posted by gwint at 1:36 PM on May 16, 2010 [2 favorites]

.
posted by motty at 1:37 PM on May 16, 2010

\m/ . \m/
posted by MikeMc at 1:38 PM on May 16, 2010

Often imitated. Never Dio.
.
posted by hal9k at 1:44 PM on May 16, 2010

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posted by OverlappingElvis at 1:47 PM on May 16, 2010

I just started listening to his music recently. Sad to see him go.

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posted by Deflagro at 1:48 PM on May 16, 2010

ignignokt: “Dio started his career in a rock 'n' roll band named Elf.”

A great rundown, and thank you for it – but this bit isn't really true, is it? Ronnie James Dio started his career in 1957, ten years before Electric Elves, with a little band called Ronnie and the Redcaps. After that he had a band for a long time called Ronnie and the Prophets. However, even at this early stage, he apparently couldn't write a simple doowop song without talking about castles and shit.

Truly a giant of modern music he was, whose output bridges a vast, broad expanse. It's rare that a person make music so diverse that what came last is literally inconceivable in the live of what came first.

Here's to you, Dio.

.
posted by koeselitz at 1:49 PM on May 16, 2010 [8 favorites]

Long live rock 'n' roll.
posted by Wolfdog at 1:51 PM on May 16, 2010

dammit, castles and shit
posted by koeselitz at 1:51 PM on May 16, 2010

\m/ Look at him and listen! \m/

.
posted by Halloween Jack at 1:51 PM on May 16, 2010

Ronnie, when you see that Borg-lookin' bastard, you turn right the hell around and head back to the elevator.
posted by codswallop at 1:54 PM on May 16, 2010 [1 favorite]

A little better version of Mob Rules from 1984.

RIP in peace.
posted by zerobyproxy at 2:00 PM on May 16, 2010

Damn, from The Man on the Silver Mountain to the Last in Line RJD kicked out some great shit. One of my fave Sabbath/Dio songs: "The Sign of the Southern Cross" Ronnie's voice at it's peak IMHO.
posted by MikeMc at 2:01 PM on May 16, 2010 [1 favorite]

My first concert was the Scorpions in 1984 and while everybody was filing into the arena the warmup tape played the usual suspects (AC/DC, Kiss etc). When "Last In Line," belw out of the speakers, the crowd roared and that was just a fucking tape.

RIP, RJD. \m/

*goes out to porch to crank up Rainbow, Sabbath and Dio*
posted by jonmc at 2:04 PM on May 16, 2010 [7 favorites]

Thanks, koselitz. Holy crap, that's a long career. Spinal Tap could have been referring to Dio when they show their "Listen to the Flower People" era.
posted by ignignokt at 2:07 PM on May 16, 2010

Dio was so awesome he could even make Aerosmith sound good.

We'll miss you, tiny dragonslayer.

\m/
posted by thecjm at 2:09 PM on May 16, 2010 [6 favorites]

\m/
posted by CrayDrygu at 2:15 PM on May 16, 2010

The sleeve art for Dio's albums always freaked me out (hey, I was six when The Last in Line dropped). But "Love is All" was a favorite of my childhood (previously), and Dio's involvement with that warms my wee heart.

\m/
posted by pxe2000 at 2:23 PM on May 16, 2010 [1 favorite]

I never really liked anything he did, and I'm a diehard Ozzy Sabbath guy, but for sure:

\m/

Gotta respect the man, definitely.
posted by nevercalm at 2:25 PM on May 16, 2010

Dio was so awesome he could even make Aerosmith sound good.

Dio and Yngwie??!!! Too much metal for just one hand! \mm/
posted by MikeMc at 2:26 PM on May 16, 2010

\m/
posted by churl at 2:27 PM on May 16, 2010

.
posted by CitizenD at 2:31 PM on May 16, 2010

(He comes across as amazingly cool in Metal:A Headbanger's Journey as well)

Also, when I was a teen and reading Hit parader magazine my nonna looked over my shoulder and found Ronnie james' (stage) last name incredibly amusing. The former Ronald Padanova would undertand.
posted by jonmc at 2:35 PM on May 16, 2010 [2 favorites]

I was never into metal growing up, but my brother would blast it at all hours. I remember distinctly hearing Holy Diver for the first time and being incredibly impressed by the vocals, feeling like I kind of "got" it. It was the only album I ever surreptitiously borrowed from him to listen to on my own.

RIP, RJD, may your music legacy live forever.
posted by gemmy at 2:41 PM on May 16, 2010 [2 favorites]

.
heartfelt
posted by fourcheesemac at 2:46 PM on May 16, 2010

\m/
posted by The Michael The at 2:49 PM on May 16, 2010

\M/ to the Nth
posted by Cosine at 2:52 PM on May 16, 2010

Metal:A Headbanger's Journey was amazing to watch for many, many reasons, and JRD was a large part of that.

Awesome moment.
posted by piratebowling at 2:57 PM on May 16, 2010

\M/ -HOLY DIVER- \M/
GOODNIGHT SWEET PRINCE
posted by porn in the woods at 2:58 PM on May 16, 2010

I just love th narrator/director trying to hold it together when he's plying with DIO'S SWORDS! IN DIO'S HOUSE!
posted by piratebowling at 2:58 PM on May 16, 2010 [2 favorites]

I know that I thought he was ridiculous when I first found out about him. I still do, but I also understand what a powerful musician he was.

I saw ELF warm up Deep Purple in 1974. Then a year later, Elf was no more and Richie Blackmore had quit Deep Purple, and Ronny Dio was singing lead for Rainbow. I only ever bought one of their albums (Rising, because of the cool cover) but man, to this day, on the right occasion the whole second side can rivet me as few selections from that era can. It's only two songs. I can't think of a more suitable homage than taking twenty minutes from your Sunday and ...

Stargazer
Light in the Black
posted by philip-random at 2:59 PM on May 16, 2010 [3 favorites]

.
posted by drezdn at 3:00 PM on May 16, 2010

\m/
posted by azarbayejani at 3:06 PM on May 16, 2010

So sad. I have a lot of respect for his work and his outlook on life. It's cliché, but the rock will last forever.
posted by rageagainsttherobots at 3:18 PM on May 16, 2010

I love Dio in this completely non-ironic way. In fact, I think most people who may have started to like Dio in this "ha ha short guy singing about magic" kind of way probably ended up genuinely loving him. Because how could you not? He was no joke. The man loved music, and loved his fans, loved performing. He was the perfect blend of ego and humility -- he knew he was awesome but also didn't seem to take himself too seriously. He also always came across so incredibly gracious, even when he was kind of poking fun at people.

I'm happy I did get to see him live once (although I'm bummed I'll never have that chance again).

RIP RJD.
posted by darksong at 3:21 PM on May 16, 2010 [5 favorites]

.
posted by Kale Slayer at 3:32 PM on May 16, 2010

darksong, that may apply to your generation, but us old farts can remember digging him simply because he kicked ass. It was a simpler more innocent time.
posted by jonmc at 3:32 PM on May 16, 2010 [5 favorites]

Fuck. One of the great rock voices ever.
posted by DieHipsterDie at 3:33 PM on May 16, 2010 [2 favorites]

Damn.

.
posted by brundlefly at 3:33 PM on May 16, 2010

oh, jonmc, I did mean my generation there. I know that the older generation knew much better than we did. But I'm glad that many of my friends -- all hipster music snobs -- totally agree that Dio rules. Otherwise, I'd have to stop talking to them.
posted by darksong at 3:36 PM on May 16, 2010

Very sad. My condolences to all who knew and loved him. He's one reason I have a healthy respect for metal.
posted by xenophile at 3:36 PM on May 16, 2010

.
posted by snsranch at 3:38 PM on May 16, 2010

♪
posted by Smart Dalek at 3:41 PM on May 16, 2010

He had one of the best metal voices. Haven't seen anyone link above to Long Live Rock and Roll. I've been enjoying this little seasonal number from Dio also.
posted by marxchivist at 3:43 PM on May 16, 2010

.
posted by ob at 3:44 PM on May 16, 2010

i was gonnae put a .

but a

wooooooooooooooooarrrrrrrgggggggggggggg !!!!!!!!!


is more appropriate i think.


always came across as a nice guy as well.


stick in there jonmc - i know you'll be upset mate.
posted by sgt.serenity at 3:48 PM on May 16, 2010

\mm/
posted by Evilspork at 3:50 PM on May 16, 2010

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posted by evisceratordeath at 3:50 PM on May 16, 2010

.
posted by Dr. Zira at 3:50 PM on May 16, 2010

Light in the Black
posted by philip-random at 5:59 PM on May 16 [1 favorite +] [!]

Jesus crimeny, that "Light in the Black" tune is so freaking great. I had forgotten all about it until you posted it. Thanks.
posted by NoMich at 3:53 PM on May 16, 2010

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posted by Grangousier at 3:54 PM on May 16, 2010

.
posted by gmm at 4:02 PM on May 16, 2010

\m/
posted by BadMiker at 4:02 PM on May 16, 2010

R.I.P.

\m/
posted by Sailormom at 4:06 PM on May 16, 2010

Ronnie James Dio pretty much invented the pseudo-operatic style of heavy metal vocals. Bruce Dickinson, Geoff Tate, all those other guys? They were doing Dio, even if they never admitted it. I just LOVED the fact that Queensryche had RJD singing the Dr. X parts in the Mindcrime sequel they released a few years back. It was, to me, an acknowledgement of the old master's influence.

Something just hit me about this: Ronnie James Dio is the very first one of my musical heroes from my teenage years to die not only of natural causes, but at a (relatively) advanced age. Dude was a senior freakin' citizen for crying out loud, and not a whole lot of guys from that era made it that far.

Rock in Peace, RJD...

\m/ \m/
posted by deadmessenger at 4:09 PM on May 16, 2010 [5 favorites]

Thanks Ronnie.
\m/
posted by Duke999R at 4:10 PM on May 16, 2010

\m/
posted by D_I at 4:12 PM on May 16, 2010

.
posted by tiger yang at 4:20 PM on May 16, 2010

.
posted by unliteral at 4:23 PM on May 16, 2010 [1 favorite]

A devil's hand for the man who made the devil's hand the international hand signal of metal:

\m/
posted by spoobnooble at 4:29 PM on May 16, 2010

wait then, who died in that helicopter crash in 82? i thought that was dio?
posted by atomicmedia at 4:31 PM on May 16, 2010

\m/
posted by disclaimer at 4:50 PM on May 16, 2010

atomicmedia,

That was Randy Rhoads.

And thank you, Dio, for all the growls, belts, and screams.
posted by spinifex23 at 4:53 PM on May 16, 2010

I knew someone who was an intern at a NYC-area classic rock station. He was working with the evening DJ and Dio was scheduled to come in from the road to discuss his new record. This was around the holidays and they had been traveling extensively, but Dio was as warm and gracious as possible. He even hung around to sign autographs and chat with some people who dropped by the station to see him (including two cops who were listening to the station and came by) wishing all of them and their families a good holiday.

His station was a popular stopping point for big-name artists, but he always told the Dio story time and again.

.
posted by dr_dank at 4:55 PM on May 16, 2010 [2 favorites]

\m/
posted by Mister_A at 4:57 PM on May 16, 2010

\m/
posted by davebushe at 4:58 PM on May 16, 2010

They say that life's a carousel
Spinning fast, you've got to ride it well
The world is full of kings and queens
Who blind your eyes and steal your dreams
Its heaven and hell, oh well...

And they'll tell you black is really white
The moon is just the sun at night
And when you walk in golden halls
You get to keep the gold that falls
It's heaven and hell

.
posted by Godwin Interjection at 5:08 PM on May 16, 2010

\m/
posted by askmeaboutLOOM at 5:09 PM on May 16, 2010

"Neon Knights" is the rockingest thing ever done anywhere.

Shit, I forgot how much that song ruled. This sucks balls, but I guess we all have to go someday. I'm just glad he rocked as much as he did while he was here.
posted by adamdschneider at 5:10 PM on May 16, 2010

\m/
posted by Schlimmbesserung at 5:22 PM on May 16, 2010

.
posted by photoslob at 5:24 PM on May 16, 2010

One of the times I saw Dio live, the Sacred Heart tour I think (?), he came out on stage and fought a three story mechanical dragon with a glowing sword. To this day, I have never seen anyone do anything in concert that came even remotely close to how cool that seemed to me at the time.

I haven't listened to any of his stuff in years (remedying that now thanks to the links above) but this is sad, sad news.

\m/
posted by JaredSeth at 5:27 PM on May 16, 2010 [1 favorite]

In the car this morning, my friend and I put on "Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow" because 1) that whole album is amazing and 2) we were on our way to a ren fair and it seemed appropriate.

The ren fair was cancelled due to rain, and when I got home, I heard Dio had died. (I didn't even hear the rumors -- this is the first I'd heard he was sick.) Sigh.

He's one of my favorite voices ever. And like other people have said about him, he always seemed so interesting and thoughtful in interviews.
posted by Toothless Willy at 5:28 PM on May 16, 2010 [1 favorite]

.
posted by TrialByMedia at 5:46 PM on May 16, 2010

"Neon Knights" is the rockingest thing ever done anywhere.

On a high school Latin club trip to Italy, I listened to Heaven and Hell just about constantly while in transit on planes, buses, etc. I would always rewind Walkman so I heard "Neon Knights" twice each time through the cassette.

"Mob Rules" is also frickin sweet.
posted by Mister_A at 5:53 PM on May 16, 2010 [1 favorite]

Didn't realize he was sick ... I know he kept touring and thought he was healthy.

Holy Diver was released when I was in middle school, which my step-brother and I thought was really good but not as good as his recent album as the new vocalist of Black Sabbath. Our school bus driver was pretty cool and let us play our cassettes on her boom box sometimes, and that was a good thing, because the ride took about 45 minutes from our stop. But she mostly listened to the radio, and we all had to listen to what she liked. The single Rainbow in the Dark from that album was also a crossover song and ended up on all the hit stations, the stations our bus driver really liked. So, a fond memory for me is hearing that song come through in the rotation on the hit station, knowing at least that part of the ride would be great, sometimes a little oasis. At the time I was 13 and loathed the disco-oriented heavy rotation stuff they played, and so did my step-brother. We would rock out when Dio came on, which I'm sure was a grand spectacle for every blossoming girl who was lucky enough to witness.

Saw him at a concert a few years later when I was a freshman in high school, when my heavy metal days were waning, but a new friend (who was a junior) liked Dio and wanted to get wasted and go see him with me. My parents somehow imagined my new friend as a good role model and thought it would be fine. We drank a lot of peppermint schnapps in his car right before going in, and I seem to remember him smuggling another pint in and drinking more later, but it was all pretty hazy in my mind. It was at Tingly Coliseum, which normally features rodeos and country concerts during the State Fair, but it fits about 14,000 with the floor cleared of dirt, just a giant metal box with a cement floor - terrible venue, terrible acoustics. This was the venue for heavy metal in Albuquerque in the '80s, which was always on all the big acts' touring schedules. Apparently we were a big market for it and sold out a lot of shows, though we had difficulty attracting big acts in other genres at the time.

I was so drunk I barely remember this random guy beating on my head randomly before my friend managed to pry him off me, leaving me with some sort of injury preventing my neck from turning without severe pain for the next week or so. The next day was Thanksgiving, and somehow I pulled it off, turning my entire body to talk to someone but only if necessary. Otherwise, my parents wouldn't let me go to another concert again ... I lost my right shoe sometime that night in the chaos on the floor, which was a little like a mosh pit or a jammed mass of bodies crushing towards the stage, depending on where you stood. I felt the shoe come off and immediately plunged down to get it, and came up with a right shoe about four sizes too big. But I wore it anyway, because otherwise, only one shoe in the middle of 14,000 bodies churning in violent chaos to a heavy metal soundtrack. It was excellent. But I got into other music after that, and I think that was the last big heavy metal show I saw until Black Sabbath reunited with Ozzy a few years back.

So, I'll miss you Ronnie James, short little fucker with the giant voice. You really charged up my testosterone-fueled formative years, for better or worse, but damn it was a great time.
posted by krinklyfig at 5:59 PM on May 16, 2010 [1 favorite]

I was never a huge metal fan, but my God, I always dug Dio.

The louder the better.

\m/
posted by darkstar at 6:03 PM on May 16, 2010

Another in the chorus of \m/.
posted by eyeballkid at 6:06 PM on May 16, 2010

Ronnie James Dio for America.

(2004 parody of presidential candidate Howard Dean.)
posted by ALongDecember at 6:40 PM on May 16, 2010

damn...have to admit, I know little more about the guy than the caricature image. But those Rainbow tracks....jesus. Apparently a full investigation is in order.
posted by the bricabrac man at 6:51 PM on May 16, 2010

\m/
posted by sigmagalator at 6:57 PM on May 16, 2010

There's no sign of the morning coming.

\m/
posted by Joe Beese at 6:58 PM on May 16, 2010

.
posted by Don't_deceive_with_belief at 7:00 PM on May 16, 2010

\m/
posted by white_devil at 7:17 PM on May 16, 2010

Between the velvet lies
There's a truth that's hard as steel
The vision never dies
Life's a never ending wheel.

.

\m/
posted by Snyder at 7:28 PM on May 16, 2010

Some people get famous because they're a perfect combination of something and something else.

Dio was one of those people.

\m/
posted by Cyrano at 7:45 PM on May 16, 2010

.
posted by jsavimbi at 7:53 PM on May 16, 2010

In ninth grade I wrote an essay on a Dio song for English class. So long, Mr. Dio.

.
posted by halonine at 7:57 PM on May 16, 2010 [2 favorites]

Yeah, count me among those who sort of liked Dio ironically at first, but with age and wisdom came to realize that liking things ironically is stupid and Dio (and Dio-era Sabbath, naturally) fucking ruled. I mean, yeah, it's easy to snicker at a short guy in a cape that's being that earnest about the whole thing, but you can't deny the dude made some amazingly kickass metal. RIP, RDJ, and long may you rock the most bad-ass depths of metal hell.

\m/
posted by DecemberBoy at 8:04 PM on May 16, 2010

.
posted by Splunge at 8:12 PM on May 16, 2010

My favorite Dio? When Henry Rollins tells you how to channel him when you've just been dumped by a girl using a towel for a cape and anything you can get your hands on as a microphone.

\m/
posted by bitter-girl.com at 8:30 PM on May 16, 2010

Hats off to Witches Valley. RIP dude; in black spinning vinyl you will ever be Live Evil.
posted by buzzman at 9:15 PM on May 16, 2010

"Too many flames, with too much to burn
and life's only made of paper.
Oh, how I need to be free of this pain,
but it goes over, and over, and over, and over again"

So long, Ronnie James Dio. Goodbye.
posted by prufrock at 11:34 PM on May 16, 2010

Dio and Frank Frazetta in the same fucking week? No van down by the river is safe, I see.

.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 11:42 PM on May 16, 2010

Dio came across as a pretty solid dude Metal: A Headbanger's Journey.

.
posted by molecicco at 12:34 AM on May 17, 2010

Dammit, I'm really sorry to hear this, I really liked Dio.

.
posted by dabug at 2:12 AM on May 17, 2010

What a great start to the week.

In the past decade Dio was rehashing the glories of the past; his albums were competent but couldn't vie with the records that made his name. I've always had a soft spot for him, especially in the first Rainbow albums (all of them, really) where everything seemed to click together, but also in his solo work and in Black Sabbath. Many people consider only the classic line-up's work "real" Sabbath, but only clogged ears could make someone not consider e.g. Live Evil a small gem. Dio's voice carried many a classic song, he collaborated with many great musicians and went on playing music late into his life; rest in peace, Ronnie, and thanks for all the music. Fuck.

Don't talk to strangers, Ronnie. But sail on, sing a song, carry on
Cause you rocked.
posted by ersatz at 3:47 AM on May 17, 2010

\m/

If you turn this post upsidedown does it spell out some satanic screed?
posted by Pollomacho at 4:03 AM on May 17, 2010

From ALongDecember's link:

Dio on Same Sex Marriage

Our opponents claim Dio is soft on the issues, and the campaign headquarters is buzzing with Ronnie James' recent straight-ahead approach to one of the thorniest issues of this campaign: Gay Marriage. While most candidates won't touch it with a ten-foot pole, Dio gave a press conference today to make his stance on the issue clear:

"Rob Halford wants it, so it's cool with me."

Too funny.
posted by NoMich at 4:18 AM on May 17, 2010 [5 favorites]

This is the first celebrity death to ever make me cry.

\m/
posted by nowonmai at 5:07 AM on May 17, 2010

.
posted by lester's sock puppet at 5:08 AM on May 17, 2010

.
posted by JoanArkham at 6:16 AM on May 17, 2010

This really sucks.

Ronnie James Dio always struck me as being one of the classiest people in the music business. In any genre. One of the most articulate, too.

.

.

.

(because when a voice that big is silenced, it deserves several moments of silence.)
posted by MexicanYenta at 7:40 AM on May 17, 2010 [1 favorite]

This was a total shock to me! I got to see him some years back, opening for Motorhead and Iron Maiden. Such a killer show, one of my top ten of all time. This dude was the real metal deal and there are not many like him left. \m/ \m/
posted by medeine at 11:29 AM on May 17, 2010

because when a voice that big is silenced, it deserves several moments of silence

Also because of the awesome echo effects.
posted by Pollomacho at 11:39 AM on May 17, 2010

Look out
The sky is falling down
Look out
The world is spinning round and round and round
Look out
The sun is going black
Look out
It's never never never coming back.....

I'm so sad right now.

.
posted by The Light Fantastic at 11:54 AM on May 17, 2010

.
posted by asfuller at 11:54 AM on May 17, 2010

its kinda like when asimov died, i still remember when I got the news. as koeselitz showed us upthread, Dio touched so many generations in so many different ways leaving so many memories and changing lives and evoking feelings associated with the songs
posted by infini at 12:57 PM on May 17, 2010

I got to see him some years back, opening for Motorhead and Iron Maiden.

Was at that show! Fucking heavy metal parking lot 2003 Camden style!

I went on a massive Dio binge yesterday after posting this, like I even listened to Dehumanizer.

Who else listened to Stargazer last night and cried a little?
posted by The Straightener at 1:11 PM on May 17, 2010

A silent \m/
posted by HumanComplex at 1:28 PM on May 17, 2010

A few random thoughts:

1. Light in the Black
posted by philip-random at 5:59 PM on May 16

Good Christ, even through shitty work speakers, Cozy Powell's drumming sounds like he's playing right behind where I sit. Rainbow had some potent musicians in its early incarnation; too bad Ritchie Blackmore decided to ditch this sound so that he could compete with Foreigner.

2. For the longest time, I thought Dio was British, given his ties to Rainbow/Deep Purple and Black Sabbath. Likewise, I thought for the longest time that Foghat was just another good-time Southern boogie-rock band, but that's another story.

3. Yes, there has been an ironic "love" of Dio, with his size, his onstage outfits, and D&D-inspired themes being part of this mocking appreciation. When you look at the enduring popularity of Tolkien's works, especially due to the LotR movies, and all the explicit mentions of wizardry and dragons in the Harry Potter series, who's to say that Dio wasn't really ahead of the curve?

4. The 3 Voices of Metal have always been, IMNSHO, Dio, Rob Halford, and Bruce Dickinson. It's sobering to think that when Dio went solo and started to "compete" with Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, that he was already over 40.
posted by stannate at 4:17 PM on May 17, 2010 [1 favorite]

Oh boy.
posted by The Straightener at 6:21 AM on May 21, 2010

The congregation is made up mostly of pastor Fred Phelps and his family.

Ha.
posted by adamdschneider at 8:00 AM on May 21, 2010

i just learned that if you flip the logo upside-down DIO reads "devil."

sort of.
posted by Hammond Rye at 6:38 PM on June 2, 2010