Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

Today, July 10th the legendary and missed voice of metal, Ronnie James Dio (DIO, RAINBOW, BLACK SABBATH, ELF) would turn 71.  Ronnie passed away on May 16th 2010 due to his stomach cancer.

On July 10th 1942, a very special boy was born in New Hampshire, USA. That child would grow up to be the greatest heavy metal singer of all time, a ‘Rainbow In The Dark’ – Ronnie James Dio.

Born Ronald James Padavona to Italian parents, the young Ronnie learned to play the French horn and trumpet, which he later claimed helped with his breathing technique, creating that powerful voice we know and love.

You can read the comments of some rock and metal musicians on Ronnie James Dio below:

Simon Wright: “I always found him to be a real gentleman, really smart, a really funny guy. When I got the opportunity to join his band I jumped at the chance. I was in AC/DC at the time and on the verge of leaving. He was a fantastic person, not only a brilliant singer and songwriter, but just as a person as well; very considerate and humble. He was the boss as well and could crack the whip when he wanted to!

It just got better every year, making albums together, we were very tight. It was some of the best years of my career. I’ll never forget him, I think about him every day.”

Yngwie Malmsteen: “Ronnie was a dear friend for almost thirty years, and I can say without a doubt that he was the greatest rock singer of all time“

Wolf Hoffmann: “Not only was he an awesome singer, everybody worshipped him, he was also a very nice person to be around; gentleman like.”

Michael Weikath: “Well, he’s the one. He’s always been very magical, ever since he did recordings. It was noted by lots of people, his voice and the way of singing. It seemed so magical, it touched your soul and your heart. At that time, it was the best voice for rock or metal and when people get to hear him first, it was like “ooh what a voice, who is he?” That’s absolutely clear. Even Freddie Mercury can shout and that is one word for Dio, it’s a synonym, right? That’s the stuff I always liked.“

Nick Simper: “I never met Dio, but he certainly was one of the best voices in rock. He had a reputation as a very genuine person who always had time for his fans, so I am sure that I would have liked him.”

Roxy Petrucci: “The one and only Ronnie James Dio. He was a genuine’ Rock Star’ in all aspects without trying to be. Ronnie had an incredible voice, a bigger than life stage presence belting out undeniable great songs . He is a legend and his famous sign of the horns to the metal world will live on forever. Long Live Rock n Roll!”

Simon Johansson:  “Ronnie James Dio was to me the best singer ever. I´m not sure we´ll ever see anyone like him. The first thing I remember hearing with him was Holy Diver. I just loved it as I do with all the stuff he did with his solo band but what really stood out to me was the work he did with Rainbow. All of those albums are fantastic and the Rising album is just phenomenal.
I remember seeing Heaven and Hell at Sweden Rock Festival in 2007 and how the show just blew me away. The stage, the sound, the songs and on top of the Ronnie James Dio, goose bumps all the way through. I said to my friend that if I ever had the chance to play a stage like that (I´m thinking of the stage set with the windows, iron fences, gargoyle props etc) I never have to enter another stage. My purpose in life would be fulfilled. I think that was the best live show I´ve seen ever. Another time I was at a Dio show in Gothenburg, I had managed to get myself a VIP pass so after the show I was hanging around because I just wanted to say hi to Dio and shake his hand. He was in the shower so I had to wait around. Time passed by and after a while me and my friend felt the urge to grab a beer so we left. Today I really regret that because I never had the chance to meet Dio in person. I guess it have to wait until I´m on the other side. Thank you Ronnie for all the unforgettable music and memories. See you somewhere over the Rainbow!”

Stefan Schwarzmann: “Once I met Ronnie James Dio back in 2005,when we play some festivals with “Accept”(back than with Udo)on his birthday on the top terrace of our hotel where all the bands were booked until our stay in Athens/Greece.
All I could say is that he was a wonderful,nice person…a real gentleman so to say,with no airs and graces!!
His death is a really really big loss and Holy Diver,in my opinion,is one of the best records ever on this planet!!
I raise my glass for Ronnie,rest in peace you big voice of Rock!!!“

Tracy G:  “IT WAS AN HONOR TO WORK WITH ONE OF THE GREATEST SINGERS IN METAL AND HARD ROCK MUSIC FROM 93 TO 99…..RONNIE WAS A GREAT GUY AND HAD THE BEST TONE TO HES VOICE…..NEVER TAKING LESSONS AND NEVER HAD TO WARM UP..HE WOULD TELL ME ..WHY WARM UP.ITS JUST WASTED OF TIME..HE WOULD SAVE ALL HES VOCALS FOR THE STAGE………A TRUE NATURAL SINGER….HES WAS ONE OF THE BEST FOR SURE..LONG LIVE RONNIE JAMES DIO“

Jon Schaffer: “Ronnie and I were good friends and I miss him very much. We did have plans to work together. We were on tour with Heaven And Hell in the UK back in 2007, and even before that we talked about doing a project together. But it was difficult to get our schedules lined up. When we were on that tour we got more serious about it, and unfortunately it wasn’t very long after that we found out Ronnie had cancer and obviously that changed everything.

I loved Ronnie as a human being, certainly as a heavy metal legend, but to me he was much more than that, because he was such a genuine person.

It didn’t matter who he was talking to, he always listened to them and looked them in the eye. He was a very genuine special guy and this world is going to miss Ronnie Dio.“