Ronnie James Dio, what can I say.  We lost a great one there.  I was so saddened to hear of his passing.  My very first concert as a young impressionable lad was Dio.  It was the Last in Line tour and I still remember vividly the amazing show that Dio put on.  Full of theatrics, pyro, lasers, smoke, he really went all out for his shows.  I was lucky enough to see Dio live several more times throughout the 80’s and early 90’s and can honestly say that his live shows just got better and better.
Dio, in fact,  is one of my all time favorite vocalist.  I loved him Black Sabbath and Rainbow and can still remember the first time I heard Holy Diver.  I was actually at school working on Floats for Homecoming when one of my upper classmen friends put on the “New Dio solo album”.  It was like a kick in teeth!  I remember thinking “I have to get this album”, and soon did.  To me, Dio was Heavy Metal.  He was what it was all about.  He was the coolest.  Many a time this bass player has wished that he could sing like Dio.  As a young metal head growing up in a small town Dio’s music was a great release for the angst and boredom of youth.
I could go on and on here but instead thought I would direct you to my number one favorite bass players site.  Geeezer Butler made me want to play bass and was fortunate enough to play with Dio.  See what Geezer has to say about dio here: http://www.geezerbutler.com/2010/05/my-statement-on-ronald/
Rest in Peace Ronnie, you will be missed.
Official Dio Site
