Ronnie James Dio
Ronnie James Dio (born Ronald James Padavona, July 10, 1942 – May 16, 2010), was an American rock and heavy metal vocalist and songwriter. He performed with Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and his own band Dio, among others. Other musical projects include the collective fundraiser Hear 'n Aid. He was widely hailed as one of the most powerful singers in heavy metal, renowned for his consistently powerful voice. He is credited with popularizing the "metal horns" hand gesture in metal culture.
Before his death, he was collaborating on a project with former Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Vinny Appice, under the moniker Heaven & Hell, whose only studio album, The Devil You Know, was released on April 28, 2009. He has sold over 47 million copies of albums with all of the bands he has worked with.
He died of stomach cancer on May 16, 2010 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Burbank, CA. One of the last songs he recorded was titled "Metal Will Never Die".
Acted in
Dio: Dreamers Never Die
2022
as Self
Dio: Live in London - Hammersmith Apollo 1993
2014
Dio | Finding the Sacred Heart
2013
as Lead Vocals
Dio: The Singles Collection
2012
as Himself
Heaven & Hell: Neon Nights
2010
as Vocals
Heaven and Hell: Rockpalast
2009
as vocals
Iron Maiden: Flight 666
2009
as Self
Dio: At Tokyo Super Rock Festival
2009
as Himself
Heaven & Hell: Live From Radio City Music Hall
2007
as Vocals
Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny
2006
as Dio
Dio: Holy Diver Live
2006
Rainbow: Live in Munich 1977
2006
as Vocals
Dio: Holy Diver Live
2006
as Vocals
Heavy Metal: Louder Than Life
2006
as Self
Metal: A Headbanger's Journey
2005
as Self
Dio: We Rock
2005
Dio: Evil or Divine
2003
as Himself - Vocals
Inside Black Sabbath: A Critical Review 1970-1992
2002
as Himself
Satan’s Top Forty
2001
as Self
Satan’s Top 40
2001
as Self
Deep Purple: In Concert with The London Symphony Orchestra
2000
as Himself
Where Are They Now?
1999
as Self
Dio: [1998] Inferno in Sofia
1998
as Vox
South Park
1997
Dio: [1996] Las Vegas, Nevada
1996
as Vox
Black Sabbath: [1992] Beacon Theater, NY
1992
as Vox
Black Sabbath: [1992] Monsters of Rock Italy
1992
as Vox
Black Sabbath: The Black Sabbath Story, Volume Two
1992
as himself
Black Sabbath: [1992] Live in Rio - Dehumanizer Tour
1992
as Vox
Dreaming the Reality
1991
Hard 'N Heavy Volume 1
1989
as Self
The Hear 'n Aid Sessions
1986
as Self [Dio]
Dio | Super Rock '85 in Japan
1985
as Self
Live Aid
1985
as Self
Dio | A Special from the Spectrum
1984
as Self
Dio - Live in Holland
1983
as Self / Vocalist
Black Sabbath & Blue Öyster Cult: Black and Blue
1981
as Vocals
Heaven & Hell - Live at Wacken Open Air 2009
as Himself