Ronnie James Dio

Ronnie James Dio born Ronaldo Padavona, was an Italian American heavy metal vocalist and songwriter who passed away at the age of 67 due to stomach cancer. He joined the band "Black Sabbath" in the early 80's and later on formed his own band, "Dio." Considered as one of the greatest heavy metal vocalists in history he became a fixture in heavy metal's global family and was known for popularizing the "horns" hand guesture as a symbol of heavy metal music. Born in 1942, he enrolled in University at Buffalo, majoring in Pharmacology and played trumpet in the university's concert band. In 1957, his musical career began with forming the band The Vegas Kings, changed it to Ronnie & The Rumblers to Ronnie and the Redcaps. Ten years later, in 1967, he formed another new band called The Electric Elves. He formed the band Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow in 1974. Five years later, Dio left Rainbow and soon joined Black Sabbath and found his fame and fortune. In 1982, he left the Black Sabbath band and formed Dio band.