RIP RJD

[napman]

It's kind of late to acknowledge the "Passed away" status of this singer. I didn't know that he's been gone since last year (May 2010) until my brother-in-law told me the other day! But to honor him at anytime should be more appreciated than nothing at all.

To me he was one of the monsters of Heavy Metal singers in the past, I sang two of his songs when he was with Richie Blackmore in "Rainbow". I played/sang "Man on the silver mountain" and "Catch the rainbow" when I was in my last rock band in late 70s. And I was lucky enough to see him ALIVE in his outdoor concert in around 2007 along with Deep Purple and Tom Petty and some other bands in the same chilly night only few miles from my home.

May "Ronnie James Dio" rest in peace, he has given his talent and made quite a lot of people appreciated another kind of music, and I'm one of those people too.

Excerpt from "Wikipedia"
"Illness and death
On November 25, 2009, Wendy announced that Dio had been diagnosed as having stomach cancer
"Ronnie has been diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer. We are starting treatment immediately at the Mayo Clinic. After he kills this dragon, Ronnie will be back on stage, where he belongs, doing what he loves best, performing for his fans. Long live rock and roll, long live Ronnie James Dio. Thanks to all the friends and fans from all over the world that have sent well wishes. This has really helped to keep his spirit up."
On March 14, 2010, Wendy posted an online update on his condition:
"It has been Ronnie's 7th chemo, another cat scan and another endoscopy, and the results are good ? the main tumor has shrunk considerably, and our visits to Houston (cancer clinic in Texas) are now every three weeks instead of every two weeks."
On May 4, 2010, Heaven & Hell announced they were canceling all summer dates as a result of Dio's ill health.

Dio died at 7:45 am (CDT) on May 16, 2010, of metastasized stomach cancer, according to official sources.

Wendy said on Dio's official site:

"Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45am 16th May. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private good-byes before he peacefully passed away. 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."
A free public memorial service was held on May 30, 2010 at 2 p.m. at The Hall Of Liberty, Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive in Los Angeles.[24] The hall was filled with over 1,500 people, so the remainder of the fans had to sit outside of the hall and watch from a live screen. Friends, family, and former and current band mates of Dio's gave speeches and performed, including Rudy Sarzo, John Payne, Glenn Hughes, Joey Belladonna & Dio/Heaven & Hell keyboard player Scott Warren. On the screen was an accompanying documentary covering Dio's career, from his beginnings in Elf to his final project Heaven & Hell. Everybody who attended had the opportunity to view Dio's coffin. The Westboro Baptist Church held a small rally, denouncing Dio as a Satan worshiper.[25] Wendy Dio urged those attending the funeral to ignore the protest, saying:
"Ronnie hates prejudice and violence. We need to turn the other cheek on these people that only know how to hate someone they didn't know. We only know how to love someone we know!"