Photo from neo1984.wordpress.com.

By Eric Stuckart
Creator, Destroyer

Ronnie James Dio, known by most as a metal god and a pioneer in the formative early days of heavy metal, died this morning. He was 67.

Having been receiving chemotherapy treatments since announcing last November that he was battling stomach cancer, Dio’s current band, Heaven and Hell, had recently cancelled all upcoming dates on their summer tour due to his worsening health. But he and his doctors were confident that he’d be onstage once again.

His wife and manager, Wendy Dio, left the following statement on his website: “Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45am.” She added that “Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all. We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us. Please give us a few days of privacy to deal with this terrible loss. Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever.”

Famous for taking over for Ozzy Osbourne in 1980 in the band Black Sabbath, he also sang for Rainbow and a solo band bearing his namesake. Heaven and Hell was the latest incarnation of said Black Sabbath lineup. Some of his solo hits included “Holy Diver,” “Rainbow in the Dark,” and “Killing the Dragon.”