Other Tributes (Musical World)

[thehodge]

"Ozzy looks solemn following Ronnie James Dio`s death
Ozzy Osbourne shopped solemnly for clothes just hours after learning of rocker Ronnie James Dio’s death.


Osbourne, Dio’s Black Sabbath predecessor, was stony faced as he accompanied wife Sharon to the Malibu Country Mart in California.


Dressed in his trademark black clothes and sunglasses, the British singer carried bags of shopping from the James Perse boutique. Sharon, also in black, followed behind.


“Ozzy did not seem himself at all,” one eyewitness said.


“He was walking in and out of the shop, clearly agitated. Sharon was really having to look after him and lead him around.


“He didn’t smile once. It was obvious something was wrong.”


Heavy metal legend Dio died yesterday (Sunday), aged 67, after losing his battle with stomach cancer at a hospital in Houston, Texas.


The singer replaced Ozzy in Black Sabbath in 1979.


Ozzy took to his Twitter page to pay tribute to Dio, writing: “Rest in peace Ronnie.” "

i know this has been posted before, but i believe that the way ozzy was acting was of shock, like "bloody hell i thort i would of gone before him" as do i think that too.... i honestly thought that ozzy would of died first..... listening to dio atm, its so hard to not get emotional, even though he was 67 its still a fucking waste..... a fucking waste of such a great talent and man!

[Intothevoid]

It always is when something like this happens. It doesn't matter when it happens.

[Sir Kenneth]

From Biff Byford (Saxon):

Today I heard my friend Ronnie dio has lost his battle, it is a great loss to us all.

I first met Ronnie in the early eighties when we played with Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult, the infamous black and blue tour. I first heard him sing on butterfly ball and from that moment I understood what great singing was all about, he was at the top of his game from then on.

His voice was always powerful and soaring his phrasing was uniquely his, copied by many but never bettered. I will miss him as we all will. The last time we met was in Finland last year, both bands stranded in an airport with flight delays what do you do ,go to the bar get drunk and tell rock and roll stories, he told great stories. Deepest condolences to his family

Somewhere in the night a candle burns for you

To absent friends

Biff byford

[TD Fan Tam]

I await some kind of statement from Jack Black. He's the reason some of us - a small but not insignificant number - are into Dio.

[devilmaycare]

I await some kind of statement from Jack Black. He's the reason some of us - a small but not insignificant number - are into Dio.

He is???

Shit. That's scary!

[Baricco]

Pearl Jam at the end of 'Alive' played a couple of riffs from Heaven and Hell, yesterday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYLbc...layer_embedded

[The_WRIT]

from imotorhead.com

"I'm truly upset, especially since he seemed to be rallying at the Golden Gods show. Bon Voyage, Ronnie, rest in peace. I'm devastated"

Lemmy

[evermoving]

From the official websites of:

U.D.O. (the current band of Udo Dirkschneider, ex-Accept):

"Ronnie James Dio - Rest in Peace

Yesterday the world lost the biggest singer in Rock 'n' Roll: Ronnie James Dio
Our feelings are with his family and friends. RIP Ronnie!!!!
The King is dead, long live the King!
Rock 'n' Roll will never die!"

Blaze Bayley (ex-Iron Maiden):

"Very saddened by the news of the passing of Ronnie James Dio. He was the inspiration for me to start singing and join a metal band after seeing him perform in Birmingham Odeon many many years ago on the Holy Diver tour.

My thoughts are with Wendy and the family.

On the few ocassions I met Ronnie he was an absolute gentleman, hero and superstar and an example to us all.

Thank you Ronnie for your wonderful work.
Rest in peace."

and the Swedish heavy/power metal band Hammerfall:

"Hail, RJD! R.I.P.

Ronnie James Dio is dead. Tragic and sad, we all mourn the loss of one of heavy metals original legends, unbelievable voices and all-around nice guys. No one has anything but good things to say about this man, and for once, it's all true. HammerFall remembers Ronnie as the Man, as simple as that. Farewell, Ronnie James God."

Also, Rob Zombie, Killswitch Engage, Mastodon and Fear Factory have released statements over at the MTV News site. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/163...ames_dio.jhtml

[sn0wb1ind0zzy]

Mastodon


"There are only a few names that ring synonymous with heavy metal, and Ronnie James Dio is one of them. So to find out that a true pioneer of our genre had passed on was devastating to say the least. Thank you, Ronnie James Dio, for your unbelievably powerful voice, your dedication to your fans and for paving the way for generations of aspiring musicians, present and future. The horns will live on forever!"

[Ady]

from imotorhead.com

"I'm truly upset, especially since he seemed to be rallying at the Golden Gods show. Bon Voyage, Ronnie, rest in peace. I'm devastated"

Lemmy

I was wondering when Lemmy was gonna comment after watching these videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA3uR1fB5KI, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47CjshSuWHY

[sn0wb1ind0zzy]

Vinny Appice

"Hey Ron, I never thought the day would come so suddenly. Ronnie was everything to me. He was my best friend, he was my brother. I sat behind him on my drums each night and played, watching him sing, hearing his roaring voice thru my monitors. Every night he sent chills down my spine with his singing, inspiring me to push it further and play the best I can to the limit. I always knew how lucky I was to be in a band with him, but to become friends was even more special. When I met Ronnie I was a kid, 21 years old, eyes wide opened. He took me under his wing, he showed me the way, he was the greatest teacher and inspiration in my life and most of all, the greatest rock singer in the world! My heart is so broken. We are now in a world without him and I will miss him so much. I can only think of how fortunate I was to make music with him that was in his heart. Music that will remain to be listened to by all his fans all over the world, whom he adored and loved! Ronnie I love you man!!"

[TD Fan Tam]

He is???

Shit. That's scary!

Kyle Gass from Tenacious D:

“Dio was a great inspiration for us and one of the nicest and most gracious people we've been lucky enough to work with. His talent and spirit will be missed.”

http://cdinsight.com/news.php?readmore=4753

[devilmaycare]

Oh, I knew the connection. It's just scary that someone like that like that could inspire someone to follow a singer!

---------- Post added at 04:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:11 PM ----------

from imotorhead.com

"I'm truly upset, especially since he seemed to be rallying at the Golden Gods show. Bon Voyage, Ronnie, rest in peace. I'm devastated"

Lemmy

Respect. Kudos.

[evermoving]

From the Alice Cooper camp:

"RIP Ronnie James Dio

All of us here at Nights with Alice Cooper were so saddened to learn of the passing of Ronnie James Dio. His contributions with Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio and Heaven and Hell remain among the most iconic in rock & roll history. And to top it off, Ronnie was a genuinely nice man; generous, thoughtful and down to earth. Alice's bassist Chuck Garric played with Dio for two years, and credits Dio for launching a career that allowed him to eventually join Alice's band. You'll hear tributes to Ronnie from Chuck and Alice in upcoming Nights with Alice Cooper shows, plus, we'll re-air some of the classic Dio interviews NWAC has run over the years. Ronnie, you will be missed, but we pledge to keep your music and legacy alive. "

http://nightswithalicecooper.com/RIP...es-Dio/7067683

[Joe Siegler]

Bob Daisley:

Today, with the sad passing of my friend and colleague, the world has lost a great man. Not only was he a unique singer, musician and writer, he was a very special human being. Long live Rock ‘n’ Roll and long live the memory of the great Ronnie James Dio. He’ll be sadly missed in many ways, bless him.

[TheMobRules]

Jon Lord writes:

I would like, along with my wife and daughters, to express my sadness at the passing of Ronnie Dio.

A friend of many years standing and a truly delightful man. His voice was an instrument of power and of beauty, and was a seminal influence in rock music. His loss is even more devastating when considering how much more he would have had to offer us.

My heart goes out to dear Wendy, and my thoughts are also with Roger and Richie, who were so close to him for so long.

I will always cherish the memories of those remarkable nights at The Royal Albert Hall in September 1999 when, sitting on the stage with all the massed musicians of Deep Purple, The London Symphony Orchestra et al, Ronnie sang Roger’s lovely song “Sitting in a Dream” and brought us smiles and tears, and goosebumps as big as they come.

I shall forever connect that song with that moment and with Ronnie.

Rest in peace my friend.

With love
Jon

You can see Ronnie singing "Sitting in a Dream" on Lord's site:
http://jonlord.org/2010/05/18/ronnie...-as-they-come/[COLOR="silver"]

---------- Post added at 12:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:03 AM ----------

I haven't seen this from Jens Johansson posted here:

The Almighty Eternity meets Ronnie Dio

May 17, 2010


I hesitated a bit to write something about this, in a way it feels weird to use this sad day to attract attention to myself. Then I realized I also feel a bit strange to not even comment in public.

I joined DIO-the-band for about a year in the early nineties, that's how I got to know Ronnie. Him, and let's not forget Wendy, who is still very much alive. They were a team. When they took me in to the DIO family, I felt a bit like a cold puppy coming in from the rain. I had previously just left Yngwie's band which was a really fun and creative situation, but it was at the same time also tremendously chaotic and stressful.

My time in DIO was simply one of the best times in my life.

Ronnie was one of the best people I ever met, very different from the usual musicians and other suspects in this wretched industry. I think this is something you will hear over and over -- you have heard it before he was gone, and you will also keep hearing it after he is gone. Quite simply, because it's the truth. And especially towards fans. If you didn't realize it by now, you can ask anyone who met him. Ronnie was the guy signing autographs in the cold rain after the point where any mere mortal would have crawled back into bed. It was insane. His dedication to the fans was not from this world. He is the guy that finally made it dawn on me who it is who actually pays the bills -- it is the fans. (Well at least he tried, if I didn't quite learn, that is my own fault)

Well, it could be everyone knows all that already, so what else can I say that you don't already know or could find out from Wikipedia? Since I was a Dio fan myself long long before I even met him, I think I have some perspective.

His voice was like a tank... I never heard him have a bad day. I have honestly never met anyone else like this in my whole life. Even if he stayed up all night drinking and talking, he would still deliver 150% the next day. From his performing, you'd think he was 22 years old, his whole life... but if you look at how much he accomplished, you'd think he lived to the age of 120.

He was very funny. Fond of British humor, like Monty Python. My best memories of the time with him are either him laughing at something I or someone else said, or me laughing at something he said, or any of the many running gags that he created.

His lyrics writing really has depths you don't immediately see when you read them first. Read them again and think.

He was very intelligent. He was without a question NOT some sort of devil worshipper or satanist. He grew up in a small town and was what I would call, just a "very decent person". He had higher morals than most people I have met, and definitely he had higher morals than I have. He just didn't particularly believe in God of the Christian bible, I think. But he was really spiritual and thought about deep issues, a lot.

I never saw him do any hard drugs. He was to me the embodiment of the idea: if you want to get anywhere, stay off the hard stuff.

There was the relentless charity work for "Children of the Night". But that you may have heard about already and can read more about on the internet, just google for the phrase.

I realize this may sound like I'm trying to paint too soft a picture. I am really racking my brains here and I couldn't think of anything bad to say about him even if I tried.

The only thing I can think of is that his character definitely had a surprising bite when something pissed him off, he didn't suffer fools lightly. If you were a fool in his path, and all options of patience, understanding and politeness had been exhausted, then he didn't hold back verbally... beware, fool, you might have two assholes all of a sudden, or your head might be rolling on the floor!

I of course found this extremely amusing (unless it was me who was the unwitting fool, which I think happened like, once.)

I don't exaggerate when I say I feel him being gone is a loss for humanity, but I still try to look at the glass as half full. Imagine if he would have died at 27 like so many other geniuses. As a listener I'm thankful for that grace, and as a person I'm thankful I got to know him.

We will all die at some point, he never beat around the bush when speaking or writing about death. Cancer sucks, and I don't know what I think would suck more, him gone today, or him alive for another year but in severe pain.

I'm also not sure if Ronnie would have wanted us to be too sad. (Of course, a bit sad! I'm not suggesting we go dancing in the streets with joy screaming "lolololololololo" like those crazy Palestinians after 9/11 here.)

He dedicated so much of his own life to bring happiness to other people. Let's mourn a genius and a great guy who is lost to us now. But let's mourn in a way that he constantly wrote about, by deciding that we should live each day, including this one, to its fullest, even if it is a sad day. You don't know if this day is your last day, and if it is you don't know what will follow.

The music he made will remain after me, or anyone reading this, will be gone. So unless you did already, put some of it on.

If it puts an evil grin on your face, then your day is better. That's all any musician can ask from you.

/Jens

[Freddy the O]

Paul Stanley of KISS pays tribute to Dio during a concert: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWLSsF0Cklc

[Joe Siegler]

Hey, thanks to everyone for keeping this going. Please post more pro musicians responses here (but please check first to make sure it hasn't been posted already).

Danke.

[p4warrior]

Michael Sweet of Stryper:

"God bless you Ronnie and my sincere love, thoughts and condolences to Ronnie James Dios family, friends and fans around the world!"

(They are covering Heaven & Hell on an upcoming covers record btw)

Source: Twitter

---------- Post added at 11:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:02 PM ----------

Sebastian Bach via Facebook:

" Crying right now in rememberance of my Hero & friend Ronnie James Dio. Dio died this morning & he was a major, major part of my life. I got to do shows with him & work with him & I loved Dio my whole life. Thanks so much the world has lost one of the best. Your last album was your best. Of course."

And later on...

"Now playing After All (The Dead) ♪ Black Sabbath"

"Now playing Bible Black ♪ Heaven & Hell"

[nunoni]

Metallica played here yesterday and will again tonight, they played Fade to Black in memory of Ronnie James Dio, including the intro of Children of the Sea

[devilmaycare]

From Billboard magazine

Metal Community Pays Tribute To Ronnie James Dio
The hard rock community was in a state of mourning as artists rushed to pay tribute to iconic elder statesman Ronnie James Dio, who died on Sunday at the age of 67 from stomach cancer.

Tony Iommi, who worked with Dio in Black Sabbath and its latest incarnation, Heaven and Hell, was among those weighing in, saying in a statement that since hearing the news, "I've been in total shock. I just can't believe he's gone. Ronnie was one of the nicest people you could ever meet, we had some fantastic times together. Ronnie loved what he did, making music and performing on stage. He loved his fans so much. He was a kind man and would put himself out to help others. I can honestly say it's truly been an honor to play at his side for all these years. His music will live on forever. Our thoughts are with Wendy Dio who stood by Ronnie until the end. He loved her very much. The man with the magic voice is a star amongst stars, a true professional. I'll miss you so much my dear friend. RIP."

Heaven and Hell had planned to tour this summer to continue supporting its most recent album. Those dates were canceled, however, as Dio's condition -- which his wife and manager Wendy Dio revealed in November -- worsened. Organizers of Britain's Download festival plan to rename its second stage the Ronnie James Dio Stage in the singer's memory.

At their show Sunday night at Lazerfest near Des Moines, Iowa, Alice Cooper and his band inserted a bit of Sabbath's "Heaven and Hell" into their final song, "Under My Wheel,"* dedicating it to Dio. Bassist Chuck Garric played with Dio prior to joining Cooper's band, and both Cooper and Garric taped a special segment for the syndicated "Nights With Alice Cooper" radio program talking about their late friend.

"We used to have a lot of fun with Dio on the road," Cooper recalled. "(Drummer) Eric Singer could not help from going 'Holy Diver!' as loud as he could to the point where the manager finally says, 'Could you stop doing that?* It's starting to annoy Ronnie.'* And of course you don't say that to Eric Singer, because that just means he's going to double the efforts."

Garric added that Dio was "such a genuinely nice guy and welcomed me with open arms. From the moment I walked into the rehearsal rooms to audition, I felt at home...It was one of the greatest moments of my life, and it had changed my life. I owe him everything."

Over at Metallica.com, drummer Lars Ulrich posted a moving "A Letter to Ronnie," crediting Dio as "one of the main reasons I made it into the stage to begin with," saying that he first saw Dio as a member of the band Elf in 1975, opening for Deep Purple. "I was completely blown away by the power in your voice, your presence on stage, your confidence..." He also recalled going to the Plaza Hotel in Copenhagen when Dio came through with Blackmore's Rainbow and being impressed that Dio was "so kind and caring...I was on top of the world, inspired and ready for anything." Ulrich concluded that, "Ronnie, your voice impacted and empowered me, your music inspired and influenced me, and your kindness touched and moved me. Thank you."

Chickenfoot's Michael Anthony told Billboard.com that he used to cover "Man on the Silver Mountain with Van Halen and sharing the stage with Dio at some European festivals. "He was a great guy," Anthony said. "I remember when we opened for them, all of us were back at the hotel having some drinks; it was his birthday, and I remember us all just hanging out, and he was just a great guy, definitely a driving force in hard rock music."
*
Killswitch Engage, whose 2006 cover of Dio's "Holy Diver" was the group's first Top 20 hit on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart, called it "a very, very sad day in metal, and this one hits pretty hard. Dio was one of the greatest metal singers of all time. His soaring vocal lines even to this day, strike a chord in me that few other singers can come close to. Even in his old age, Dio rocked harder and more on point then 99% of the singers out there. He is truly a musician's musician; a model for the new school to aspire towards. A man who stuck to his guns, and played the type of music HE wanted to play...and extremely well at that!"

Corey Taylor of Slipknot and Stone Sour called Dio "one of the strongest, purist and consistent singers of all time. Ronnie sang like he lived -- all out, from the heart, with so much honesty and joy. He was a great man with a smile and a handshake for fans and peers alike. He spoke his mind and stood his ground for decades. I will miss him dearly."

Deftones' Chino Moreno also told Billboard.com that he admired Dio's longevity through groups such as Elf, Blackmore's Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell and, of course, his own Dio. "I looked at his age and that put it in perspective for me," Moreno said, "like, 'Wow, I would love to be that old and still singing my heart out like that."

Slayer guitarist Kerry King, who listened to "Man on the Silver Mountain" by Blackmore's Rainbow as a teenager, said that being able to meet Dio was one of his treasured memories. "Few people have had the ability to carry a song like Dio, literally demanding your attention as he effortlessly recreated live the amazing things he did on record," King said. "It's odd how things get taken from you quickly...I just saw him a month ago. I know I was lucky to have known Ronnie. One of the nicest guys in the business without a doubt. He will be hugely missed."

Anthrax's Joe Belladonna said that Dio "was a big inspiration, influence and dear friend of mine. He was a true gentleman and a kindhearted individual.* He always would go out of his way to make you feel welcome and important. Without a doubt, he was one of the best, top notch and a class act. I will truly miss him." His bandmate, Charlie Benante, saluted Dio as "true metal and the creator of the metal hand Sign...He was Divine."

Funeral and memorial arrangements have not yet been announced for Dio. His official web site still features the note his wife posted Sunday announcing his death.

[Joe Siegler]

Better video of the Paul Stanley/Kiss tribute.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_8G90E6n6s

[p4warrior]

Heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne says Ronnie James Dio’s ultimately fatal battle with stomach cancer hit close to home.

Dio, who was Osbourne’s Black Sabbath frontman replacement in 1979 and also fronted Heaven and Hell, passed away this past Sunday.

“As soon as I heard I heard he had been diagnosed with cancer, I sent him some encouragement,” Osbourne, 61, told QMI Agency in Toronto on Wednesday before an afternoon news conference to promote his new solo album, Scream, out June 22.

“Having been through that situation myself with (my wife) Sharon when we were doing (the reality TV show) The Osbournes, it’s always somebody over there. When it lands at your doorstep you’re like, ‘What do you do? How do you get round this?’ When Sharon got (colon) cancer, I’d never known anyone who survived. I thought it was bull---- when they told you, ‘They can survive.’ I just thought they were trying to smooth me over. And she got over it.”

Osbourne says more recently he ran into Black Sabbath/Heaven and Hell drummer Vinnie Appice at a heavy-metal awards show and inquired about his Dio’s health.

“I didn’t get a chance to see him but I was talking to the drummer Vinnie, and I said, ‘Did he get my message?’ ‘I don’t know,’ he said.’ And I said, ‘Well, tell him to keep up the fight.’ Then on the weekend, we heard he had passed away, which is sad. He had a great voice. People thought that me and him were at war. At first, I suppose a bit of theatrics would be involved, but I mean it’s been 30 years.”

[DiosSword]

Has anyone heard any sort of tribute from Kerry Livgren?

The last I checked his web site, he hadn't posted anything.

Ronnie sang on two songs on his Seeds Of Change solo album and had discussed forming a permanent band with him in '82-'83 after RJD left Black Sabbath and Kansas had hit the skids.

[Paulie 88]

John Gallagher from RAVEN posted this, short and sweet, on Sunday the 16th:

"Ronnie James Dio passed away today after losing a long fight with cancer...our hearts go out to his family...he was a class act as a musician and as a person...and will be sorely missed."

All the best,
PAULIE

[Chris B]

There have been many many moving and touching tributes. But the man who owes Ronnie the most for his career, Vivian Campbell, has been not been heard from. How petty and sad.

[The Rules Mob]

“As soon as I heard I heard he had been diagnosed with cancer, I sent him some encouragement,” Osbourne, 61, told QMI Agency in Toronto on Wednesday before an afternoon news conference to promote his new solo album, Scream, out June 22.

“Having been through that situation myself with (my wife) Sharon when we were doing (the reality TV show) The Osbournes, it’s always somebody over there. When it lands at your doorstep you’re like, ‘What do you do? How do you get round this?’ When Sharon got (colon) cancer, I’d never known anyone who survived. I thought it was bull---- when they told you, ‘They can survive.’ I just thought they were trying to smooth me over. And she got over it.”

Osbourne says more recently he ran into Black Sabbath/Heaven and Hell drummer Vinnie Appice at a heavy-metal awards show and inquired about his Dio’s health.

“I didn’t get a chance to see him but I was talking to the drummer Vinnie, and I said, ‘Did he get my message?’ ‘I don’t know,’ he said.’ And I said, ‘Well, tell him to keep up the fight.’ Then on the weekend, we heard he had passed away, which is sad. He had a great voice. People thought that me and him were at war. At first, I suppose a bit of theatrics would be involved, but I mean it’s been 30 years.”

Good for Ozzy. I don't know why we assume that because we, the public, don't see something on Twitter, like Ozzy's well wishes described above, a celebrity isn't offering them.

[Joe Siegler]

There have been many many moving and touching tributes. But the man who owes Ronnie the most for his career, Vivian Campbell, has been not been heard from. How petty and sad.

They didn't like each other. Let's leave it at that - we do not need a discussion of THAT - in this thread.

[miracle]

Any word from Tony Martin?

[Danimal77]

I would like to see Geoff Tate of Queensryche say something. Queensryche, is also one of my favorite bands and Geoff owes a lot to Ronnie. Ronnie let QR open for him in 1983 and he even appeared on their Operation Mindcrime II album.

Geoff, I love ya man and I saw you on your American Soldier tour. Say something nice on behalf of Ronnie. He deserves it.

[evermoving]

Queensryche have already released a statement and Tate also offered some kind words regarding Ronnie on Eddie Trunk's radio show. Check out the links below:

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/bla...sitemID=140167

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/bla...sitemID=140254

[Charger]

Ian Gillan released a statement about Ronnie passing in his own unique and always lovable style:

My dear friend Ronnie,

"Departed but not gone. Resting peacefully (for a while) but never forgotten.

"I've had a sackful of mail since your passing; a sharing of grief and sorrow.

"We all remember your huge voice, of course — my ears are still ringing: Your wicked humour and sense of decency: The utter professionalism and personality that inspired so much respect from your friends in music.

"The list goes on but the quality that stands out above all others is your enduring generosity. The one thing that we all treasure, the gift you gave us was your kindness.

"We all agree you were the kindest man we ever knew.

"Catch up later, mate."

[Totentanz]

this from Testament's Chuck Billy:

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/bla...sitemID=140389

"Got word [Sunday] night coming off stage [in Holland] that Ronnie Dio passed and it's a great loss to the world.

"I love Ronnie a lot.

"From day one when I met Ronnie, he was so genuine; humble and the sweetest person in the world. Since day one until two weeks ago when I saw him. Genuine Ronnie first and foremost: 'How's the children? How's the family? How's the health?'

"That's one thing about Ronnie — it's never about the music, never about the business, just being a person, a human being. Just truly concerned with how the family was and our health.

"I am truly going to miss you, Ronnie. I love you.

"Rest in peace."

[Joe Siegler]

Bill Ward:

RONNIE JAMES DIO

My wife and I have sent our condolences and have felt very sad with the news of Ronnie's passing.

We wish to extend our positive thoughts and love to all those who loved Ronnie, and we salute him as a singer, performer, songwriter and arranger.

We plan to make no further statements and prefer to remain private at this time.

--Bill Ward

[Charger]

Craig Goldy released this really touching statement:

"Words simply fail me.

"There is a hole in my soul and I am unable to comprehend what has just happened.

"Words being one of many of Ronnie's ultimate creative recourses unleashed upon the world have now become my weakness.

"Please forgive me if I miss the mark in my aim to honor the most amazing man I have ever known.

"Ronnie James Dio is and was more than a legendary musician, friend and fellow band member, he was my family. He is the reason anyone really even knows who I am at all and why I exist. He rescued me from sleeping in a car on the streets of San Diego and Los Angeles and brought me into his world where dreams come true, kindness to strangers and fans, warmth, humility and integrity are paramount and where creativity could be without boundaries that could change people's lives forever.

"I know he changed mine. Not just through his music and the voice that turned his unique abilities into a legend, but who he was as a person and how he treated me and everyone he came in contact with directly and indirectly.

"He was so very good to me.

"I have so many memories of his kindness not only to me and his fans, but to perfect strangers as well.

"I was introduced to his talent before I met the man.

"Because of his incomparable talent for lyrics, I knew him before I even met him.

"He loved to read me his lyrics before he recorded the songs they belonged to because he knew that I would crack the code and would understand what he meant before he would have to translate them.

"He loved to be understood and I understood him, and that was where our special connection began so many years ago.

"We will all ache for the music that could've and should've been. However, we will be eternally grateful for the music, the man and the legend that we were given for such a short period time.

"Rest in peace, my dear friend. I will miss you deeply always and forever."


I thought I had no more tears left, but this made me shed a few again for the legend known as Ronnie James Dio.

[geezerbutler]

Jesus Christ ........ thank you Mr. Craig Goldy to bringing me to tears(again)


this is unreal ..........

[devilmaycare]

from Vinny's big bro... Carmine Appice

I've known Ronnie since his days with Rainbow. He was the best heavy metal singer to ever live. He had so much power in his voice it was so intense. He wrote great metal anthems. I really got to know him well when my brother started working with him in Black Sabath, then Dio. He was part of our family, coming to family functions for holidays, weddings etc. He even came to my bachelor party and wedding in 1983. He was friends with my kids; he was family.

We spent all day Saturday at the hospital, it was sad to see him like that. He was truly loved by millions and by all the people he worked with. All his close friends were around him at this time. Again truly loved by all his friends, amazing love from all.

It is hard to believe he is gone. His spirit of life will live on in his music and we will never forget Ronnie James Dio, the great heavy metal singer, a friend for years and a brother to my brother Vinny.

I’ve send my sympathies out to Wendy and Ronnies family as well as my brother Vinny along with Geezer and Tony. Ronnie we love you bro, You will be missed is an understatement!!

- Carmine

---------- Post added at 07:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:15 PM ----------

and from Doug Aldrich

Rest Peacefully Ronnie

"I'm going to miss him so much. We lost a Giant yesterday.... Just broken today.

I was blessed to share some music with him, but mostly, I am thankful his friendship. Ronnie was a good hearted caring man.

He brought so much happiness through his music. Thank you Ronnie for the gifts you shared with us.

Ronnie made Magic and Ronnie was and will always be Golden.

Goodbye Ronnie.
Love you forever,
Doug"

[DiosSword]

Bill Ward:

RONNIE JAMES DIO

My wife and I have sent our condolences and have felt very sad with the news of Ronnie's passing.

We wish to extend our positive thoughts and love to all those who loved Ronnie, and we salute him as a singer, performer, songwriter and arranger.

We plan to make no further statements and prefer to remain private at this time.

--Bill Ward

Thanks, Wardy. Class act, as usual.

Even if you don't remember having done so, your powerful drumming is an essential part of what is, for me, the quintessential creative work of both Black Sabbath and Ronnie James Dio:

HEAVEN AND HELL

[Nunky]

Fuckin' Hell.

When you read the warmth felt towards RJD it makes me feel even sadder. Can't believe his passing has hardly been mentioned on the radio in the UK unless I missed it.

[evermoving]

From the Scorpions website:

"The passing of Ronnie James Dio is a huge loss to the world of rock & roll.
He will be missed by millions of fans around the world.
He was an amazing artist, lovely human being, and a dear friend.
We will miss you Ronnie..."

Also, the German heavy metal band Primal Fear paid tribute to Dio at one of their US shows and dedicated a song to him. Primal Fear have actually covered some of Ronnie's songs before (Kill The King and Die Young, I think). Doro Pesch was also in attendance that night, which is significant since she also covered Egypt (The Chains Are On) and Man on the Silver Mountain previously.

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/bla...sitemID=140454

Which brings me to the question... now that all of the other people I expected to say something have done so, where the hell is Manowar? I would have expected Joey DeMaio to release some kind of a statement.