If you’ve been on the internet for more than five minutes in the last day you’ve doubtless seen mention of the passing of Ronnie James Dio, one of the founding fathers of modern heavy metal. If you don’t know who Dio was, start on Wikipedia and work your way up, or just watch the video for “Holy Diver” above and prepare your mind to be blown by the ultimate in fantasy medieval metal madness. Dio was the quintessential rock ‘n’ roll success story; the shining example of talent and drive overcoming all odds. Ronald Padavona, a rugged looking 5’4″ trumpet player from New Hampshire, by sheer will and determination, became Ronnie James Dio, one of the most revered rock gods of all time, a man, who as many obits have pointed out, never debased his iconic status with gossip column headlines or scandal. He was dedicated entirely to metal, the genre he helped create, until the end. RIP Dio.
