Ronnie James Dio dead at 67. http://www.ronniejamesdio.com/

\m/

Crushed. Totally crushed. My sister the reverend gave me absolute hell when she saw the cover of Holy Diver in my CD collection 20+ years ago. I will mourn until the black night skies of the new moon return...

June 12th.

Henry Rollins - Breaking Up Is Hard To Do.wmv

That's is pretty much all I've ever heard of Dio aside from a few mentions on this board or wherever.

Anyone care to enlighten me as to why I should care he's dead?

Fuck it, I had my money on Dylan.

Si, check out Black Sabbath's Heaven & Hell album. That's all you need to know.

Black Sabbath with Dio
black sabbath - neon knights

Billy Milano tribute
Ballad of Dio

What depressing news.

Si, this is the only RJD video you'll ever need to see in order to understand the awesomeness.

1983 Ronnie James Dio "Rainbow In The Dark" (Rock Palace)

So.  Fucking.  Good.

Si, RJD is also rumored to have created the \m/. He said it was something his Italian grandmother did to ward off the evil eye and he started doing it on stage because he thought it looked cool. Some people say it was around before RJD, but if he didn't outright "create" it as a metal gesture he certainly is the one most responsible for popularizing it.

Bonus RJD stuff.

Holy Diver then and now: I'm ashamed to admit it, but I think Killswitch really took this song and did something awesome with it.

Dio - Holy Diver

See the Killswitch Engage cover here

RJD had a sense of humor about the whole thing... Tenacious D's first album had this song "Dio" that said RJD was too old to rock and needed to pass the torch to Tenacious D. RJD thought it was great and asked them to be in his new video "Push".

Dio - Tenacious D

DIO feat. Tenacious D - Push

Tenacious D then gave him a part in their Pick of Destiny movie.

Tenacious D feat.Dio-pick of destiny-kickapoo

Summary: RJD was the rockinest tiny old lady ever.

Message from Wendy Dio

Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45am 16th May. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private good-byes before he peacefully passed away. Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all. We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us. Please give us a few days of privacy to deal with this terrible loss. Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever.

- Wendy Dio

All these videos just rocked my skull. RIP

LOOK OUT!

lol!

Was that a young Jack Black?

No, it's actually a fairly recent movie; it's his as a kid in it singing with his dad, Meatloaf ...