Ronnie James Dio Obituary

Ronnie's music got me in one of the darkest place's I'd ever been, his music speaks to your soul and his passion for the craft and how amazing he was as a human being will always be one of the pillows of heavy metal, a role model who pioneered the genre and has been and continues to be an inspiration to all of us past and present.

Almost 12 years since his passing and it still hurts. Was listening today at work to a mix of Dio, Rainbow and Heaven and Hell, and truly he was and will forever be the greatest. Rest in Glory, Dio. Toledo, Ohio.

I like Dio I've listened to him since I was 10 yrs old I'm 49 yrs old now I would like to say thank you for being here Ronnie James Dio a friend who I never met Terry daily Lima Ohio USA

His music and voice will live on forever

You would have turned 78 today and I'm sure would have still given us 150% out on that stage. You were the best! The king of rock and roll. The man on the silver mountain! You will always be missed and us rock & roll children will always be grateful. Thank you, Ronnie!!! Happy Birthday!

God is a God of all Comfort and he will Comfort the family's..My heartfelt condolences to the family's...

You continue to be missed!
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE GIVEN !
- QUESS

Miss you!Amazing performer.

Much to be learned. I was talking to my friend Autumn,18, about your style of music. She listens to hip hop. I don't listen to hip hop. Not only did I me tion you Ronnie, but your style is still amazing. I'm 39 as of July this year and I'll attribute your music as some of the first that led me to this music we all love. True Metal was blasted across my ears when I heard these songs you wrote. I'm glad to have mentioned you and played your music so that generations far ahead may hear you tell the truth between this life and the afterlife. Always a struggle. Thanks for your help with leading me to some of the best music ever written by humans. Rest and sing, Ronnie. Thank you and continue the journey.

There's a half a wall sized DIO banner hanging up on a wall in the childhood home my wife & I bought.It's been hanging up 4 at least 30 or more yrs. It will never be taken down.DIO fan 4 life.RIP,RJD.

Thank you for your impact on my life

Rest in piece my friend!!

Godspeed, and thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.

Ronnie James Dio exemplifies Heavy Metal as we know it today. I was at the Meadows Music Arena in Hartford Civic Center 2009. I enjoyed watching Ronnie very much may he rest in peace.

Ronnie's voice was so prominent in his band called "ELF". What a solid rock n roll band with a piano player itself that was worth the price of admission. That LP came with me to every party. Everyone would always comment who is that singer and piano player. He was known as Ronald Padavona in those days. WE didn't realize in those days that 2 of the members of Deep Purple helped with the production of that LP. Ronnie you were just too cool. To all of Ronnie's family and friends; may you find comfort with each and every beautiful memory of him. R.I.P. Ronnie. Gone but never forgotten.

We love you , love pattie.

I've followed your career from Rainbow,Black Sabbath,and as far as I'm concerned the greatest solo career of all time.Seen your tour in Pittsburgh when I was a teen and now my son enjoys your music as well.Many of the friends in my circle pushing the 50 range are still jamming to your music to this day.Your voice is part of my history. Randy Good (Youngwood,PA)

You're missed Ronnie James. Incredible vocalist. I just listened to " Stargazer". One of my all time favourites.

God bless you. You can never be replaced.

Ronnie. .I'll never forget meeting you..your music got me through some rough times...I'll love you forever. .\m/

Love, Cheri

Music will never be the same without you Ronnie James..nor will the world ! You will never be truly gone because you are alive in our hearts ! You are that one brilliant star shining the brightest in the heavens above us ! Love you forever !

Missed by many but your music will live and be loved forever.

You are forever in my heart Ronnie and your music pulls me through the difficult times. Love you forever. Miss you so much.

I have heard you over the years, but became a big fan in September. I wish I could have seen you live, and maybe even gotten to talk to you. Thank you, Mr. Dio, for making these few months easier and more fun. I love you!

Ronnie,you helped me through alot of tough times and your music will live forever. you are the Elvis Pressley of Heavy Metal. lol is that safe to say ?lol I love you brother. You will be missed. And thanx for everything.

Ronnie I miss you. My inspiration and musical hero forever. Greetings from switzerland. See you beyond the gates of babylon.

the world still miss you every day

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998

We were talking about Ronnie at a Geoff Tate after party a couple of weeks ago. We had a toast to Ronnie. He has contributed much, and is still messed much.

Can't believe it's been two years. Still missing your bright spirit.

one of the best!!!! ever!!!!hevan or hell!!!he will be in are lifes 4 ever!!

Saw Dio in Los Angeles in 1985. Best concert i've ever seen. He will be dearly missed.

Ronnie James Dio ,the biggest inspiration to me. I will never forget the true King of Rock-n-Roll.In my ears and eyes the memory remains the same. He's finally crossed the rainbow, within the light it will always bare his name. R.I.P

One of the greatest voices ever! And a very kind, generous man. So sad that you are gone. Rest in Peace. Prayers to your wife and family.

This world is a lesser place now. Ronnie, you gave such immeasurable pleasure to me and so many others. I am now watching yet another of your gigs on dvd...tears streaming....at 52, you were a part of my formative rock years. Why do only the good die young??
As a diving instructor, fishes hear me singing Holy Diver...they seem to like it!! I hope there is a place beyond this. There are some wonderful people there waiting for us. Rock Heaven!!! Keep a place warm for me!

ITHINK YOU WERE AN INSP RIPIRATION TO THE OLD ROCK MEMORIES I HAVE YOU ALWAYS BE REMEBERED RIP RONNIE

long live the king of rock-n-roll,in ourhearts

It's been a year, but you'll never be forgotten. You have been a huge part of our lives and still are. Rock on my friend!

rock on

its been a year but your voice lives on you was a big part of my younger years and you inspired millions rock on. rip.

ronnie - a true inspiration to a once 14 year old who was inspired to begin his own treck as a vocalist. I met you years later and you were the best and still are. You will be missed - the music lives on.

you will be missed you are an icon

ronnie,there will never be enough words to express how much you and your music meant to me.In all of music across the pond you will always and forever be the greatest vocalist.I hope you are jamming with my brother john and randy rhoads in heaven.love always.

you always have been and always will be the voice of REASON IN MY LIFE since the first day i heard youre voice thanx for the good times see u in heaven...my friend

Ronnie, your music has been the soundtrack to my life for over 30 years, and always will be. It's helped me through the hard times and made the good times even better. I just want to say Thank You.

holy diver is one of most favorite albums i like to listen to,i love heavy metal and have since i was 11 i am 40 now. ill love metal til death.

dio will live forever!!!!!!

Fortunately, my mother was also a fan, as was my son. I drove my mother to visit her mother shortly after Ronnie passed. We had a talk about how surprising it was for my son and I, both, that we could be so affected by the passing of someone we never met. My mom totally understood. We also talked about the fact that my grandmother would not at all understand, and that she knew nothing about Ronnie except the negative hype in her religious publications. Since he was associated with Black Sabbath, th them he is automativally "bad". Fortuantely, MANY people of the world know better. We need more people like him, and the world could have used having his influence around (especially to improve the image of the metal industry as he did) for a couple more decades. I already miss the work he PLANNED to do that we will never get to hear.

I remember listening to Dio's music as a teeneager, and the "adults" would say the music was evil, and I remember thinking; "have you ever listened to the music and the lyrics"? Dio was a strong influence to me to know I was strong and there was beauty everywhere, especially in the darkest of corners.

Ronnie, I miss you more than words can say. You were a bright light in an otherwise dark and lonely place. My life will never be the same again. All my love forever, Rainbow Xxx

Maybe the Greatest Rock Metal Singer of All Time. If I could only pick one it would be Ronnie.

I pray you are in Peace and with God.

MG

I've been a connoisseur of quality metal
forever; its not just my opinion.
When I think of the untouchably greatest, I think of Bruce Dickinson.
Who else comes to mind?? You've got it,
Ronnie James Dio.

I was your no#1 fan and now will miss you forever. RIP.
just a stranger in the dark

My best wishs go out to Ronnie's family, band mates, freinds and fans in this time of healing, I will be forever greatful to the man for showing me freedom straight thru the heart, RIP RONNIE!

Dearest Ronnie your loss cannot be measured except and unless there is a way to measure the amount of love that you have left us with. This love about which I speak is not only from you but for you, and for each other. You are so special. It makes me want to be extra good on earth just so I can be in heaven with you one day. I love you my brother.

Ronnie you made me enjoy music. You will be missed greatly.

Jerry

It has been over two months and I am still in tears. Love you Ronnie and miss you much!

mindy l and johnny f whitten your music was an is an insperation!!! my husband and i got married to one of your songs! the preacher wasnt pleased but still talked about after 22 years.my heart goes out to you mrs. dio .i got a divorce 13 years ago an dremarried 3 years ago who passed away 2 yrs ago and i couldnt belive the daye of ronnie passing !! the day of my late husbands b-day!!that was quiet something to me .i truely feel and know your pain mrs dio GOD SPEED BABE !!

My heart goes out to Wendy and the family. His talents carried a multituted of excellence and has been and always will be an inspiration to me through all his visionary forms in the heavy metal community. My wife, son, friend, and I had the privilige to listen to him during the Heaven and Hell tour at Radio City Music Hall in 2007. If I ever had the privilege to meet this man in person, I would have not approached him like "an autograph hound", rather, I would have shaken his hand and told him "you create excellent work from the heart". May he live in our hearts forever.

It's been awhile since I had last seen Ronnie with his Band in the 80's early 90's. I remember seeing several concerts, and The Majical moment when I had a chance to meet him not only in person but to also take part in an Promotional Video for MTV with him which at the time was completely a surprise. I have searched continuously for that video since his passing just so I could re-live that magical moment, but have had no success, but his memories still live on in My Heart. I really wish I could have made it to the Memorial but alas I was in the hospital recouping from Back Surgery I wish to extend My sincere Condolences to Wendy and His Family. In my culture we really don't believe in Death but more so as a shedding of the mortal body and a graduation from one life into the next. Long Live Ronnie's Legacy and Music Forever.

OMG I am so sad....One of the greatest rock singers of all time!!!! RIP my friend, you will be so loved and missed.

ronnie james dio was part of my memories and childhood growing up he is a classic legend loved and will much be missed when i think back on my teenage years dio is part of my memories,

I was a long life fan of Dio since the age of 11,now 46,attended the memerial in L.A. quite despondent at present,still in shock,unable to listen to his music or watch videos.my condolences to Wendy and family.may God bless you.

you were great Rodney James Dio you touched many hearts out there i will have to say my favorite song will always holy diver may god be with you

THANK YOU RONNIE I WAS LUCKY TO SEE YOUR FIRST DIO TOUR AND MANY MANY MORE
YOUR MUSIC AND WORDS HELPED ME TO RE STUDY PROPHECY AND THE BIBLE SO ALL THE NEG PEOPLE CAN GET LOST YOU WERE A WONDERFUL SOUL I COULD SEE IT LIKE MANY OTHERS WE SHALL TALK ONE DAY ..
TO WENDY MY TEARS AND THOUGHTS TO YOU

R.I.P. For he is thee"King of Rock and Roll"and we your"Neon Knights"I cry out to you o"Holy Diver"but your off to find"Heaven and Hell"and in the end you will see who is"Evil or Devine" RJD

I shall indeed miss you Ronnie. The shock will never fade.

Thee Ox

Un grand vocal avec un énorme coeur...

Metal has lost its true voice. All the rest is just an echo.

Rest Well Ronnie

Dear Ronnie,
you was a great man who united all the metal fans, you wrote great lyrics and music. Now that you're gone we must continue the fight against cancer, that s why I went to the Shaved Head Challenge.

It's a gesture of solidarity towards children with cancer. By taking part in this Challenge I help play down hair loss due to chemotherapy treatments and I also help the children better accept these treatments and make it easier for them resume their lifestyles.

I was very proud to wear my DIO T-shirt , helping children like you did was a great experience and I will continue all around the world to help them, and people with cancer.

And before I see you again on the other side of the rainbow, I will continue the fight, and all the fans will take care of Wendy.

you was The best Vocalest in Metal and you will be greatly missed we love you man rest in peace

The light of the world is diminished. I lost my mother-in-law, and the entire world lost Ronnie, both to cancer and so close together. Their lights are shining elsewhere now. Not only is great new music locked away from us now, but a good, kind, decent person as well. When we continue to listen to his music, let us not only remember the legacy of the great sounds, but also how he influenced us to treat each other.

Ronnie, your great songs and amazing vocals have been an inspiration to me and have given me an incredible amount of joy in my life for several decades. You are by far the godfather of rock singers with your magical, powerful, and dynamic voice. Your spirit lives on and on and on. :-)

Rest in peace. May God bless you and love you always.

I will always love you Ronnie, you will always be in my heart
Your magic will live forever

Rest In Peace.
Thank you for the "magical" words and music. My sympathy to his family and friends.

Ronnie you are a true legend, the legacy you have left us with is just MAGIC !! You were a truely humble soul that gave us an astonishing amount of creative musical genius that will live forever. You were the BEST magnum opus of all rock vocalists. May you now shine atop your silver mountain. RIP, God bless.
Eddie Vidaic
Wollongong, Australia.

The voice, the presence, the showman.
Oh father of metal & magic, I bow to thee.

The heavy metal world will never be the same without you! You let us know how much we rocked and will be rocking on forever in your name! You had a beautiful soul and an amazing voice and your music will forever live on! All the best to your wife and family.

You truly had one of the worlds most incredible voices in music history!!!!!! Thank you Ronnie James DIO for leaving us with your amazing music! You were the best & you will be greatly missed!!!!!!!! My condolences to Wendy, his family, friends and fans around the world...

Anna & Erik

Dear Ronnie,

You are magic. Thank you so much...

I'll miss you

Dio has not died: He will be living in all the memories of us, metal fans and human beings aware of his human touch. People like him are one in a millon, and for that, they will persist in history forever; for now, it is time to celebrate his worthy life and honour his inspiring legacy.

Ride the Tiger forever, RJD!!!!

I feel that Metal has lost a father, his contributions to music will live forever, God Bless You Ronnie, I'm so thankful for your creativity and passion. Your life is celebrated daily in mine. R.I.P. \m/

I have the Luck and feel the Magic 5 times...ROCK IN PEACE AND LONG LIVE DIO!!! 05.06.2002 UTEP Don Haskins Center El Paso, TX 18.08.2003 U.T.E.P. El Paso, TX 13.11.2004 Monterrey Metal Fest, Auditorio Coca Cola MTY MX 28.07.2006 Explanada Cerveceria CHIHUAHUA MX0 1.09.2007 Arena Monterrey Monterrey Mexico (H&H) \m/

R.I.P. Ronnie..We will always miss you, and have you in our hearts. When it starts to storm, just know that it's Ronnie rockin' out!! When you see the Rainbow after, it's him watching over everyone! Miss You FOREVER, and I will have your family in my heart.

Tina...Indiana

R.I.P love you ronnie you will be forever missed long live rock & roll

Ronnie, you have always been so good to me. Since the first time I met you back in 1996 at a meet and greet for Angry Machines. I was only 15, yet you treated me with so much kindness and how you took the time to sign all of my stuff. I can remember how after you were done signing my Diamonds cd with a silver marker, you blew on the ink so it wouldn't smear on me. I was so swept away by that and I will never forget it. Before I left, I said to you, "Please- don't ever stop making albums." You looked at me saying, "As long as you keep supporting it, I'll never stop." How real those words are.

It's amazing how many times I saw you in concert from 1998-2009 which would be and even 10 times. Or how remarkable it will always that my cousin and little brother got to see and meet you at your last show in Atlantic City. I guess in a way it all came full circle because Dehumanizer was my introduction to you and now that line-up will forever be the last time that I will see you in my life.

You will always be the best on and off the stage and I can't help it but to feel extremely lucky to have you in my life. My completed goals in life will now become my tributes to you.

See you in the otherworld,

im glad i got to see you proform as a teen you were a fun part of my metal years...last in line

You were the best Ronnie.

I miss you.

I was unable to attend this wonderful service for such a fabulous singer in metal history! I always admired him and to have seen him in concert play with Heaven & Hell just two years ago was fabulous!
Ronnie you are the coolest and best rock singer out there, always will be! Plus you had class, most then any other singer of your peers.

Thanks again for your music for years to come! I lost my father to the same cancer and it can be difficult to deal with. You are in heaven now with the rest of the rock gods!

Rock on Ronnie James Dio!

From Sherry

Rest in peace, Ronnie,
Your music is, was and ever shall be very inspiring with those eternal words. You have one of the greatest voices of all time.

I was unable to attend the memorial but I just wanted to mention how much I love Dio's music and how it's had such a huge impact on me the 20 years I've been listening to him. From Elf all the way through to Heaven & Hell there was vary little Dio recorded that I didn't like. I'm still in shock he's gone. But I will continue to listen to his music for the rest of my life and I know it will continue to have a positive impact on me and I will enjoy it forevermore. I love you Ronnie and you will be missed. You are now on top of the Silver Mountian looking down on us all.

He was great and will be missed, but will live on through his music

Ronnie will be so missed in the music industry. I don't know if he realized how much of an impact he had on the metal industry. I will miss seeing him perform in concert. We still have his music that will go on. Ronne James Dio will live in our hearts forever. Thank you Ronnie for giving us such great music all these years!

I remember Ron from his " Ronnie Dio and the electric elves" days, playing at the Warehouse in Binghamton N.Y. actually Kirkwood N.Y. I'm quite sure that band was ahead of "Spinal Tap" in turning up their amps to "eleven" . What a good time!! We're sorry to loose him. He helped a lot of us to have a great time. Rest in peace...

Wendy
I attended the memorial yesterday and I wanted to thank for a beautiful ceremony and all that you are doing to keep Ronnie's memory alive forever.
Much love and warmth
Ken Babayan

Ronnie i love You Forever