Rest In Peace: Ronnie James Dio (1942-2010)
 

From his official website today

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

awwww. RIP Ronnie

There are a very few artists of any type that have been as significant or consistent a source of enjoyment in my life as he was.

We often note the passing of celebrities, entertainers, notable figures, etc., but for me this one comes with a genuine sense of personal loss. An amazing talent, a brilliant mind, and a real gift for creating lasting imagery. Gone way too soon.

Like a Rainbow in the Dark...

RIP RJD 1942-2010

Holy Diver this is sad news.

RIP Ronnie James Dio.

Dio has rocked for a long, long time,
Now it's time for him to pass the torch...

RIP

RIP, Ronnie.

RIP indeed Mr. Dio

WTF? Rumors -- including apparently real Tweets from Wendy Dio, Chris Jericho, and Mick Mars -- that RJD is NOT dead?

edit: That's in spite of confirmation from his manager given to the wire services earlier today & in spite of both his official website & his official FB page still carrying the sad news of his death.

Best I can tell, either someone has fooled a few of the internet rock sites into carrying fake denials or else someone is now hoaxing some of his friends & fans.

edit to add: A little Googling turns up the sad,sick situation I believe. Seems that overnight Saturday/early Sunday morning, someone was using Wikpedia to try a Dio has died hoax, to the point that Wiki eventually locked his page. The tragic irony is that he died a few hours later, which is what official sources confirmed.

RIP, Dio.

Just found out about this late last night (a weekend of softball will do that to you, it's like being on another planet for 48 hours). Very sad news. Glad I got to see him at least once.

Crazy how that happens. Remember the Nancy Benoit wiki debacle?

Ronnie with dUg Pinnick of King's X

Very sad, RJD was a very influential figure in Metal. RIP, you will be missed.

I can't believe he was closing in on 70 years old, wow!

I posted in the 80s thread, I think, a YT clip of Ronnie singing with a doo-wop band from the 50s/early 60s. He was around THAT long.

I'm amazed Ronnie stuck around as long as he did. Dude had to have done every drug on the planet, and prolly several they don't even have names for.