Ronnie James Dio Appreciation Thread

Neon Knight Sun 5 Mar - 13:31

"Ronnie James Dio (born Ronald James Padavona; July 10, 1942 – May 16, 2010) was an American heavy metal singer, songwriter and musician. He fronted and/or founded numerous groups including Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio. He is credited with popularizing the 'metal horns' hand gesture in metal culture and is known for his medieval themed lyrics. Dio possessed a powerful versatile vocal range capable of singing both hard rock and lighter ballads; according to Deep Purple/Rainbow guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, upon hearing him sing 'I felt shivers down my spine.'" [Wikipedia]

Neon Knight Mon 9 Apr - 19:35

Today is the 40th anniversary of my favourite album, Rainbow's Long Live Rock 'n Roll, which Dio sang on. All the songs are good, but I (just about) like this best:

Aëlwenn Tue 10 Apr - 22:58

Remind me the song « The Last in Line « about him.
He has inspired many metal bands.

Sary Thu 12 Apr - 23:36

I never really listened to much Ronnie James Dio or Rainbow.
I do remember this song.
Kinda like glam rock?

Neon Knight Fri 13 Apr - 21:12

Sary wrote:I never really listened to much Ronnie James Dio or Rainbow.
I do remember this song.
Kinda like glam rock?

No, glam rock was 70s bands like The Sweet and Kiss and then there was 80s glam metal like Mötley Crüe, Poison and Vixen https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glam_metal Dio was simply 'heavy metal' that would now be called trad metal or melodic metal.

The video you posted could have been titled 'The Peak of Western Civilisation' Smile 1

This is probably the most commercial song he ever did. It's one of his best but wasn't released as a single:

Sary Sat 14 Apr - 23:05

He had a very good voice ,so strong for such a tiny man.

It probably is the 1980s fashion and long hair makeup that give the glam vibe.

I like the ending of Man on the Silver Mountain with the pyrotechnics, so spectacular!
The other song I can't quite remember ?

It is hard to say who is better for Black Sabbath.

But I have to pick Ozzy

Neon Knight Sun 15 Apr - 9:46

Ozzy has a unique voice which worked well with the early Sabbath music. I'v heard Dio do better with the Ozzy songs than on that video. And to be fair, we should look at some of the songs Dio wrote with Black Sabbath after replacing Ozzy.

This one is from a reunion they had and the band name was changed to Heaven and Hell, maybe for legal reasons. They are getting on a bit here but they perform well and Dio's voice is still strong. I'm pretty sure the song is about heroin addiction:

Sary Wed 18 Apr - 23:59

I believe that I have officially become a heavy metal fan....very weird
It is funny how the people that you meet in course of life influence ones taste and view of the world.
I like the melancholic but hopeful lyrics of this song,It suits my overall mood.

Neon Knight Fri 20 Apr - 0:02

Sary wrote:I believe that I have officially become a heavy metal fan...

Congratulations!

I like the melancholic but hopeful lyrics of this song. It suits my overall mood.

It reminds of when I went on holiday to Jersey (the Channel island) as a teenager. I bought the album which that song is from, Mob Rules, with another BS album and Rainbow's Long Live R'n'R. Listening to them for the first time was the best part of the holiday!

Before Rainbow, Dio was in a band called Elf:

Sary Sat 21 Apr - 0:23

You were very lucky to have had a turn table at your holiday retreat....what luck to be able to enjoy your metal music.
Your parents must have been mildly perturbed?

I remember first listening to BS, the paranoid album on 8 track tape.
My best friend at the time, had a very cool older sister. She would some times take us for a ride in her Chevy Malibu. Maureen liked to listen to Black Sabbath very loud!

I came across this old interview with Ronnie James. It is kinda long, but very interesting. He was a very charismatic and articulate man.
It makes sense to me now, the obsession with good and evil/God and Satan,knowing that he was raised Catholic.

Neon Knight Sat 21 Apr - 22:35

Sary wrote:You were very lucky to have had a turn table at your holiday retreat....what luck to be able to enjoy your metal music.

I went on my own and stayed at my aunty and uncle's who live there. I think I annoyed my uncle a bit by playing the music too much. Oh well!

I came across this old interview with Ronnie James. It is kinda long, but very interesting. He was a very charismatic and articulate man.
It makes sense to me now, the obsession with good and evil/God and Satan, knowing that he was raised Catholic.

I enjoyed watching that interview. I remember in another interview of his I read he was saying someone had asked him about the Holy Diver album cover and why it depicted a devil chasing a priest, and he'd replied: "How do you know it's not a priest chasing a devil?"

Ronnie James Dio Appreciation Thread DioHolyDiver

Ronnie James Dio Appreciation Thread DioHolyDiver

Neon Knight Sat 21 Apr - 22:41

The discussion about evil in the interview reminded me of this song. It's bluesey in a heavy way. Really cool:

Aëlwenn Tue 24 Apr - 20:55

What’s ur favorites metal bands ?
I want to improve my own taste about it so I seek for good ones Smile 1

Neon Knight Wed 25 Apr - 19:52

Aëlwenn wrote:What’s ur favorites metal bands ?
I want to improve my own taste about it so I seek for good ones

Are you becoming bored with Cookie Thumper? Wink 1

Women tend to prefer the type of metal called Operatic/Symphonic. Bands like:

Nightwish
Within Temptation
After Forever
Epica
Xandria
Delain
Diabulus In Musica
Visions of Atlantis
Edenbridge

Sary Thu 26 Apr - 2:36

What kind of music do you like to listen to, Aelwenn?
I like a wide variety , every decade different. I love the oldies.
Hard Rock and blues are probably my favorite.
Country and classical not so much.
The heavy metal is growing on me.....BS is the best

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