R.I.P. Dio

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Heavy metal loses part of its voice.

Ronnie James Dio, whose soaring vocals, poetic lyrics and mythic tales of a never-ending struggle between good and evil broke new ground in heavy metal, died Sunday, according to a statement from his wife and manager. He was 67.

Dio revealed last summer that he was suffering from stomach cancer shortly after wrapping up a tour in Atlantic City, N.J. with the latest incarnation of Black Sabbath, under the name Heaven And Hell.

I liked Dio, especially his solo stuff. I remember buying Holy Diver when it first came out, and I was pleasantly surprised that "that guy from Black Sabbath and Rainbow" had put together such a good metal album. Some of it was obviously geared for radio play, but it's still a hard-rocking album that carries all the characteristics of Dio.

He will be missed by the metal world.
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