Ronnie James Dio (Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Elf) Passed Away Fourteen Years Ago Today


Ronnie-James-Dio-Photo-185524195-c-Fabio-Diena-Dreamstime.com-dreamstime_l_185524184

Ronnie-James-Dio-Photo-185524195-c-Fabio-Diena-Dreamstime.com-dreamstime_l_185524184

Today and every day at Ghost Cult, we honor Ronnie James Dio who died fourteen years ago – on May 16th, 2010. He died after a long bout with stomach cancer. His incredible voice and enduring personality is synonymous with the metal genre. As a singer, with his own solo band Dio, as well as his legacy with Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell, Rainbow, and Elf, he was the inspiration of countless singers to follow in his footsteps. Dio gave heavy metal a lot of its fantasy elements thematically in the Power Metal and Symphonic Metal genres. He is responsible for countless genre classics, both songs, and albums, including his first album with Black Sabbath: Heaven, and Hell (Vertigo). Countless Dio-inspired bands operate today named for his songs or lyrics, there are charity events, tribute tours, and charity events that raise money to try to cure the disease that took his life, and even a major metal festival stage at Bloodstock Open Air is named for his memory. Let’s raise those horns to Dio today! 

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Ronnie James Dio Passed Away Thirteen Years Ago Today


 

Ronnie James Dio died thirteen years ago May 16th, 2010. He died after a long bout with stomach cancer.  His incredible voice and enduring personality is synonymous with the metal genre. As a signer, with his own solo band Dio, as well as Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell, Rainbow, and Elf, he was the inspiration of countless singers to follow in his footsteps. Dio gave heavy metal a lot of its fantasy elements thematically in the Power Metal and Symphonic Metal genres. He is responsible for countless genre classics, both songs, and albums, including his first album with Black Sabbath, Heaven, and Hell (Vertigo). Countless Dio-inspired bands operate today named for his songs or lyrics, there are charity events, tribute tours, and charity events that raise money to try to cure the disease that took his life, and even a major metal festival stage at Bloodstock Open Air is named for his memory. Let’s raise a glass along with the horns to Dio today! 

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ALBUM REVIEW: Paul Gilbert – The Dio Album


 

There is no love like a labour of love. There is no greater folly than a labour of love. Are those two statements contrary, or can they co-exist “happily”, somehow relating the same truth? Listen to The Dio Album (Music Theories Recordings/Mascot Label Group), and come back to me.

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ALBUM REVIEWS: Black Sabbath Reissues – Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules


Photo credit: Mark Weiss with permission

Photo credit: Mark Weiss with permission

When Ronnie James Dio joined metal legends Black Sabbath in 1980 the former Rainbow frontman’s appointment couldn’t have come at a better time. Sabbath were a sinking ship. A drowning vessel from which enigmatic frontman Ozzy Osbourne had been trying to escape for some time. However, even though it was painfully clear that new blood had to be added to halt the band’s alarming deterioration the hostility that greeted Dio from some corners was quite shocking.

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Black Sabbath to Release Deluxe Remasters of “Heaven and Hell” and “Mob Rules”


 

in 1980, Ronnie James Dio left Rainbow and joined Black Sabbath to form an unholy union of Heavy Metal greatness. Now BMG will release newly remastered versions of both classic Dio/Sabbath albums expanded with rare and unreleased music. Heaven And Hell: Deluxe Edition And Mob Rules: Deluxe Edition will be released separately on November 4th and November 18th, 2022. Each album will be available on 2-CDs, or a 2-LP set. Due to space constraints, both vinyl editions include a selection of bonus material from the CDs. The music will also be available via digital download and streaming services the same day. Pre-order the album now:

 

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Listen to A Previously Unreleased 1979 Version of Black Sabbath’s “Heaven and Hell”


The estate of late Black Sabbath keyboard player Geoff Nicholls has released a previously unreleased rehearsal recording of  Sabbath rehearsing an early version of their classic song “Heaven And Hell” in 1979 during the pre-production sessions for the album of the same name. The track, which features Nicholls on bass, was uploaded to YouTube by Geoff’s stepson and executor of his estate, Gary Rees.  Continue reading


Ronnie James Dio Passed Away Ten Years Ago Today


It seems unreal, but Ronnie James Dio died ten years ago May 16th, 2010. He died after a long bout with stomach cancer.  His incredible voice enduring personality is synonymous with the metal genre. As a signer with his own solo band Dio, as well as Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell, Rainbow, and Elf, he was the inspiration of countless singers to follow in his footsteps. Dio gave heavy metal a lot of its fantasy elements thematically in the Power Metal and Symphonic Metal genres. He is responsible for countless genre classics, both songs, and albums, including his first album with Black Sabbath, Heaven, and Hell (Vertigo). Countless Dio inspired bands to operate today named for his songs or lyrics, there are charity events, tribute tours, and charity events that raise money to try to cure the disease that took his life, and even a major metal festival stage at Bloodstock Open Air is named for his memory. Let’s raise a glass along with the horns to Dio today! 

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CLASSIC ALBUMS REVISITED: Black Sabbath’s “Heaven And Hell” Turns 40


Black Sabbath, one of the greatest bands ever, was an act in transition as it entered the 1980s. Less than a year earlier they sacked their legendary lead singer Ozzy Osbourne and replaced him with equally great Ronnie James Dio, previously of Rainbow. The flailing former greats and the hungry vocalist reignited each others passion for Heavy Metal to create something incredible in Heaven and Hell (Vertigo/Warner Bros) The album not only gave the band a shot in the arm, but it also launched their second era with a bang, one their fans would never forget. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Dio – Late Era Reissues


One thing every metal fan can agree on is the eternal majesty of Ronnie James Dio. Whether you liked his music or not (and if you didn’t, then why are you reading this?), the simple fact is that the man’s talent was unquestionable. Whether you preferred his solo work or his time with Rainbow, or Black Sabbath, (or for you picky little contrarians out there – The Electric Elves, Ronnie Dio and the Prophets, or Elf), the fact remains that there is still a gaping void in the world of metal, even now, nearly ten years(!) after his death.Continue reading


The Third Annual Ride for Ronnie: Live At Harley-Davidson of Glendale, California


 

Eddie Money, by Meg Loyal Photography

 

The Third Annual “Ride For Ronnie” Motorcycle Rally and Concert took place earlier last month and raised $40,000 for the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund. Attended by motorcycle enthusiasts and rockers by equal measure; bikers, bands, and fans young and old represented to raise money in memory for late heavy metal legend Ronnie James Dio  of  Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell, and Rainbow fame, who passed away from Gastric Cancer in 2010. Continue reading