Heavy Metal Loses Ronnie James Dio

Legendary heavy-metal rocker, Ronnie James Dio, died of stomach cancer on May 16, 2010. He was 67.

Dio enjoyed much public acclaim, but also experienced significant hair loss over the course of his life, something that only accentuated his lack of height (5’4″). But while he lacked height and hair, Rio made up for it with one of the most powerful voices in heavy-metal.

Best known for fronting Black Sabbath after Ozzy Osbourne was kicked out the band, Dio also fronted the bands Elf, Rainbow, and Heaven and Hell.

One of his greatest accomplishments is popularizing the “devil’s horn” hand gesture–pinky and pointer finger extended and the other fingers clenched in a fist. It’s a gesture he learned from his grandmother, and something copied by heavy-metal bands and fans everywhere.

While Ronnie is gone, his music will live forever, inspiring future generations of heavy-metal bands. While I don’t know what his final words were, I imagine them to be something like what he said during a cameo appearance in “Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny.”

“You will face your inner demons. Now go, my son, and rock.”