Ronnie James Dio was an American singer and songwriter known for his powerful voice and contributions to heavy metal music. He gained fame with bands like Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and his own band, Dio, becoming a legendary figure in rock history.
Personal and Family Life
Born Ronald James Padavona on July 10, 1942, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, he was raised in Cortland, New York. Dio was married twice; his first marriage was to Loretta Berardi, with whom he had one child, Daniel. He later married Wendy Dio, who remained with him until his death in 2010.
Death and Legacy
Ronnie James Dio passed away on May 16, 2010, in Los Angeles, California, due to complications from stomach cancer. His legacy includes popularizing the “horns” hand gesture, a symbol of heavy metal, and influencing countless musicians across generations. Dio’s music and stage presence continue to inspire fans and artists alike.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny | 2006-11-22 | Dio |
| Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey | 2005-09-14 | Self |
| Dio: Holy Diver Live | 2006-04-17 | Vocals |
| Heaven & Hell: Live From Radio City Music Hall | 2007-08-28 | Vocals |
| Dio: Evil or Divine | 2003-07-01 | Himself – Vocals |
| Iron Maiden: Flight 666 | 2009-04-21 | Himself |
| Heaven & Hell: Neon Nights | 2010-01-01 | Vocals |
| Dio: At Tokyo Super Rock Festival | 2009-03-11 | Himself |
| Inside Black Sabbath: A Critical Review 1970-1992 | 2002-12-10 | Himself |
| Dio: We Rock | 2005-08-05 | |
| Dio | Finding the Sacred Heart | 2013-05-27 | Self |
| Dio | A Special from the Spectrum | 1984-12-31 | Self |
| Dio – Live in Holland | 1983-12-04 | Self / Vocalist |
| Dio: Live in London – Hammersmith Apollo 1993 | 2014-05-12 | |
| Dio | Super Rock ’85 in Japan | 1985-08-10 | Self |
| Black Sabbath: [1992] Live in Rio – Dehumanizer Tour | 1992-06-30 | Vox |
| Dio: [1998] Inferno in Sofia | 1998-09-20 | Vox |
| Dio: [1996] Las Vegas, Nevada | 1996-11-12 | Vox |
| Black Sabbath: [1992] Beacon Theater, NY | 1992-10-14 | Vox |
| Black Sabbath: [1992] Monsters of Rock Italy | 1992-09-12 | Vox |
| Hard ‘N Heavy Volume 1 | 1989-01-01 | Self |
| Rainbow: Live in Munich 1977 | 2006-06-13 | Vocals |
| Live Aid | 1985-07-13 | Self |
| The Hear ‘n Aid Sessions | 1986-01-01 | Self [Dio] |
| Heavy Metal: Louder Than Life | 2006-01-01 | Self |
| Black Sabbath: The Black Sabbath Story, Volume Two | 1992-09-01 | himself |
| Black Sabbath & Blue Öyster Cult: Black and Blue | 1981-10-01 | Vocals |
| Dio: The Singles Collection | 2012-09-11 | Himself |
| Satan’s Top 40 | 2001-01-01 | Self |
| Dio: Dreamers Never Die | 2022-09-28 | Self |
| 夢醒血未停 | 1991-07-18 | |
| Heaven and Hell: Rockpalast | 2009-06-18 | vocals |
| Dio: Holy Diver Live | 2006-07-06 | |
| Deep Purple: In Concert with The London Symphony Orchestra | 2000-02-07 | Himself |
| Satan’s Top Forty | 2001-04-24 | Self |
| Heaven & Hell – Live at Wacken Open Air 2009 | Himself |