Ronnie James Dio, the lead singer for Black Sabbath and Rainbow, has died following his battle with stomach cancer. He was 67.
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"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," wife and manager Wendy Dio wrote in a statement on the heavy metal star's official site. "Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all. We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us. ... Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever."
Dio, who revealed he was suffering from stomach cancer last year, became the first lead singer of heavy metal band Rainbow, which was formed by Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. After recording three albums with the group, Dio left the band and joined Black Sabbath following Ozzy Osbourne's departure in 1980. The singer and the band then created the extremely popular ...read more