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Ronnie James Dio

Ronnie James Dio was/is/will always be one of the best singers in the History of Rock music. His divine voice left speechless millions of people around the world. Even if you are not a fan of rock/metal music, you can recognize his voice instantly. He was a charismatic singer who performed until few months before his death from stomach cancer on May 16, 2010. Here are 10 interesting facts about Ronnie James Dio you may not know:

1. His stage name is not a dedication to God but to a gangster

Many fans believe that Dio (which means “God” in Italian) chose this stage name as a dedication to God. But that’s not true. Ronald James Padanova (that was his real name) adopted the stage name “Dio” from the Italian-American mobster Giovanni Ignazio Dioguardi, also known as Johnny Dio. For the record, Johnny Dio was a huge organized crime figure and have been involved in many illegal activities, including the blinding of a journalist and creating a fake labor union in order to help Jimmy Hoffa become the General President of the Teamsters.

2. Dio never had a proper musical education

One of the most interesting facts about Ronnie James Dio that still fascinates us is the realization that he never had a formal musical education. Although he learnt to play trumpet from a very small age, he did not have singing classes as a kid. However, Dio later admitted that it was his trumpet practise that helped him control his breath while singing.

3. Dio started his music career in the 1950’s

The Beatles gave their first concert in 1960. The Rolling Stones in 1962. Ronnie James Dio’s musical career started in 1957, at the age of 15, when he formed with several other musicians “The Vegas Kings”. The band changed its name and members several times. Until 1975 and under different names, Dio had released some LPs and 3 albums with ”Elf” (the last band he was before going to Rainbow). Just listen to this song and you will understand how Dio evolved during the years:

4. Dio took his friends from “Elf” to “Rainbow”

When fame knocks on your door, most people run to open it without caring for anyone else. But this was not the case for Dio. When Richie Blackmore quit Deep Purple, he was searching for a singer for his new project. He had heard Dio before, as “Elf” used to open several concerts of Deep Purple. Blackmore called Dio for some rehearsals and he loved him instantly and offered to him to create a band. Dio accepted the offer, but with one condition; that all the members from “Elf” would also be part of the group. Blackmore accepted and this is how “Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow” album was born. For the record, Blackmore fired everyone after that album, apart from Dio, with whom they created two more albums, before Dio also quit the band.

5. Tonny Iommi and Ronnie James Dio wrote “Children of the Sea” the first time they met.

According to Tonny Iommi: “When Ronnie went over to the house and God, when he started singing… Bloody hell… I couldn’t believe what was coming out of his little body. That voice was so good… As soon as he came in we started working. And I sat down with him and we wrote, he wrote the lyrics and a melody, and I wrote the riffs – it was a great writing team.” And that’s how one of the greatest metal songs was written. Few months later, Dio was officially a member of Black Sabbath and in 1980 they would release the album “Heaven and Hell”:

6. Dio is responsible for the “horns” sign

The most iconic sign in the History of Rock and Metal Music comes from Dio. Ronnie James Dio claimed that his grandmother used to make this sign in order to “keep the evil away”. Dio loved that sign and he started using it to his concerts. The fans loved it and then it became iconic.

7. Ronnie never touched drugs

There is the stereotype that most of the huge stars, especially the singers, do drugs in order to keep performing on high level and intensity. Ronnie James Dio had mentioned on several occasions that he never touched drugs. “I saw how destructive it was, and how it dulled your sensibilities and ate up your talent and your life,” he revealed. “I was raised by great parents whose respect I never wanted to lose.”

8. He never liked the song “Rainbow in the Dark”

One of the most interesting facts about Ronnie James Dio that still amazes us. He never liked the song “Rainbow in the Dark” from the album “Holy Diver”. He believed that it was too pop and that people would dislike it, because he used to be “darker” in his “Black Sabbath” years. However, he was wrong. People loved “Rainbow in the Dark”. And they still do. And they always will:

9. Dio never warmed up before a concert

Before giving a concert, he would walk in the backstage with a glass of wine on one hand and with a cigarette on the other. “If you need to warm up, you don’t have it”, he reportedly said once to a singer.

10. In 2018, his wife auctioned 666 items that belonged to Dio

Following Ronnie James Dio’s death, his wife, Wendy Walters (who was also his manager) and his estate auctioned off exactly 666 of his belongings at Julien’s Auction in New York City in 2018. “I am glad that Ronnie’s extensive collection of items will go to his fans, museums and collectors around the world to be displayed for all to see and enjoy,” said Wendy. “These items are very special to me but I recognise the historical importance of anything to do with Ronnie and he would want his fans to be able to own, enjoy and see these items for many years to come.”

What other interesting facts come to your mind when we speak about the Voice of Metal, the one and only Ronnie James Dio?

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