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Ronnie James Dio

Jul 10, 1942 - May 16, 2010 (67 years old) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA

Ronnie James Dio (born Ronald James Padavona, July 10, 1942 – May 16, 2010), was an American rock and heavy metal vocalist and songwriter. He performed with Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and his own band Dio, among others. Other musical projects include the collective fundraiser Hear 'n Aid. He was widely hailed as one of the most powerful singers in heavy metal, renowned for his consistently powerful voice. He is credited with popularizing the "metal horns" hand gesture in metal culture.

Before his death, he was collaborating on a project with former Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Vinny Appice, under the moniker Heaven & Hell, whose only studio album, The Devil You Know, was released on April 28, 2009. He has sold over 47 million copies of albums with all of the bands he has worked with.

He died of stomach cancer on May 16, 2010 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Burbank, CA. One of the last songs he recorded was titled "Metal Will Never Die".

Known For

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South Park
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Where Are They Now?
Self
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Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny
Dio
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Live Aid
Self - Dio
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Metal: A Headbanger's Journey
Self
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Dio: Dreamers Never Die
Self
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Heavy Metal: Louder Than Life
Self
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The Hear 'n Aid Sessions
Self [Dio]
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Satan’s Top Forty
Self
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Iron Maiden: Flight 666
Self

Credits