View source for Ronnie James Dio

{{Short description|American heavy metal singer (1942–2010)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Ronnie James Dio
| image             = Ronnie-James-Dio Heaven-N-Hell 2009-06-11 Chicago Photoby Adam-Bielawski.jpg
| caption           = Dio performing in 2009
| birth_name        = Ronald James Padavona
| birth_date        = {{birth date|mf=yes|1942|7|10}}
| birth_place       = {{nowrap|[[Portsmouth, New Hampshire]], U.S.}}
| origin            = {{nowrap|[[Cortland, New York]], U.S.}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.padavona.com/history.html|title=Ronnie Dio's Early Years|website=Padavona.com|access-date=August 9, 2025}}</ref>
| death_date        = {{death date and age|2010|5|16|1942|7|10}}
| death_place       = {{nowrap|[[Houston]], Texas, U.S.}}
| years_active      = 1957–2010
| occupation        = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}
| spouse            = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Loretta Berardi<br />|1963|1973|end=divorced}}{{R|marriage1}}
* {{marriage|Wendy Walters<br />|1978}}{{R|marriage2}}
}}
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]]|[[hard rock]]}}
| past_member_of    = {{hlist|[[Dio (band)|Dio]]|[[Black Sabbath]]|[[Heaven & Hell (band)|Heaven & Hell]]|[[Rainbow (rock band)|Rainbow]]|[[Elf (band)|Elf]]|[[Hear 'n Aid]]}}
| website           = {{url|ronniejamesdio.com}}
}}

'''Ronald James Padavona'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Passport |url=https://www.julienslive.com/lot-details/index/catalog/278/lot/106308 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714093130/https://www.julienslive.com/lot-details/index/catalog/278/lot/106308 |archive-date=July 14, 2022 |website=julienslive.com}}</ref> (July 10, 1942 – May 16, 2010),<ref name="Ronnie James Dio obituary">{{Cite web |date=May 17, 2010 |title=Ronnie James Dio obituary |url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/may/17/ronnie-james-dio-obituary |access-date=December 15, 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> known professionally as '''Ronnie James Dio''', was an American [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] singer. He fronted numerous bands throughout his career, including [[Elf (band)|Elf]], [[Rainbow (rock band)|Rainbow]], [[Black Sabbath]], [[Dio (band)|Dio]] and [[Heaven & Hell (band)|Heaven & Hell]].

Dio's music career began in 1957 as part of the Vegas Kings (later Ronnie and the Rumblers). In 1967, he formed the rock band [[Elf (band)|Elf]], in which he sang and played bass. In 1975, [[Deep Purple]] guitarist [[Ritchie Blackmore]] founded the band [[Rainbow (rock band)|Rainbow]] and hired Dio to be the lead singer; during his tenure, the band released three studio albums. Dio quickly emerged as one of heavy rock's pre-eminent vocalists. In 1979, Dio replaced [[Ozzy Osbourne]] as [[Black Sabbath]]'s lead singer and appeared on three studio albums with the band, all three of which met with success: ''[[Heaven and Hell (Black Sabbath album)|Heaven & Hell]]'' (1980), ''[[Mob Rules (album)|Mob Rules]]'' (1981) and ''[[Dehumanizer]]'' (1992). In 1982, he left to form the band [[Dio (band)|Dio]], which itself had two albums [[RIAA certification|certified platinum]] by the [[RIAA]]. In 2006, he founded the band [[Heaven & Hell (band)|Heaven & Hell]] with his prior Black Sabbath bandmates [[Tony Iommi]], [[Geezer Butler]], and [[Vinny Appice]]. In November 2009, Dio was diagnosed with [[stomach cancer]] and died of the disease six months later.

Dio is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential heavy metal vocalists of all time.<ref>Multiple sources:
*{{cite web |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-100-greatest-metal-albums-of-all-time-113614/dio-holy-diver-1983-117297/ |title=The 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time |last=Epstein |first=Dan |date=June 21, 2017 |website=rollingstone.com |publisher=Rolling Stone Magazine |access-date=July 2, 2019 |quote="After establishing himself as a top-tier hard-rock vocalist via his late-Seventies/early-Eighties stints in Rainbow and Black Sabbath, Ronnie James Dio truly ascended into the metal pantheon with his 1983 solo debut." "...Holy Diver would achieve platinum status by the end of the Eighties, and serve as an influential touchstone for everyone from Killswitch Engage to Tenacious D."}}
*{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/the-10-best-heavy-metal-frontmen-35643 |title=The 10 Best Heavy Metal Frontmen |date=May 18, 2011 |website=nme.com |publisher=NME |access-date=July 2, 2019|quote=ranked #1}}
*{{Cite web |date=May 21, 2020 |title=Fan Poll: 5 Greatest Metal Vocalists of All Time |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/fan-poll-5-greatest-metal-vocalists-all-time |access-date=May 19, 2022 |website=Revolver}}
*{{Cite web |title=12 Of The Very Best Rock/Metal Vocalists |url=https://www.maniacsonline.com.au/news/12-of-the-very-best-rockmetal-vocalists-209706 |access-date=May 19, 2022 |website=Maniacs Online {{!}} Heavy Metal News, Music Videos, Tours & Merch |date=November 6, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> He is known for popularizing the "[[Sign of the horns#Heavy metal culture|devil horns]]" hand gesture in metal culture and his medieval-themed song lyrics.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lacitybeat.com/article.php?id=1216&IssueNum=66 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071122030548/http://www.lacitybeat.com/article.php?id=1216&IssueNum=66 |archive-date=November 22, 2007 |title=Odyssey of the Devil Horns |first=Steve |last=Appleford |publisher=Los Angeles City Beat |url-status=usurped |date=September 9, 2004 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/columns/junkyard/the_devils_horns_a_rock_and_roll_symbol.html |title=The Devil's Horns: A Rock And Roll Symbol |publisher=Ultimate-Guitar.com |date=September 7, 2005 |access-date=July 2, 2019 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222143200/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/columns/junkyard/the_devils_horns_a_rock_and_roll_symbol.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> According to a version provided by the singer himself,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.metal-rules.com/zine/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=666|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510110058/http://www.metal-rules.com/zine/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=666|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 10, 2017|title=Metal-Rules.com Zine - Ronnie James Dio|date=May 10, 2017|access-date=July 9, 2019}}</ref> the act derives directly from the classic Italian [[apotropaic magic|apotropaic]] gesture, which his grandmother often displayed. Dio had a powerful, versatile vocal range and was capable of singing both hard rock and lighter ballads. He was awarded the "Metal Guru Award" by ''[[Classic Rock Magazine]]'' in 2006. He was also named the "Best Metal Singer" at the ''[[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]]'' Golden Gods Awards in 2010 and ranked as the genre's best vocalist in 2013 by music journalist [[Sacha Jenkins]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|last=Piepenburg|first=Erik|url=https://archive.nytimes.com/artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/29/who-are-the-best-voices-in-the-history-of-metal/|title=Who Are the Best Voices in the History of Metal?|newspaper=New York Times Blog|date=March 29, 2013|access-date=July 11, 2019}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Ronnie James "Dio" Padavona was born in [[Portsmouth, New Hampshire]],<ref name=":1">{{cite web |date=July 15, 2010 |title=City of Cortland Proclamation |url=https://www.cortland.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/95 |access-date=June 6, 2022 |website=Cortland.org |quote=Ronnie James Dio was born Ronald James Padavona on July 10, 1942 in Portsmouth, NH and resided in Cortland, New York from early childhood until his graduation from Cortland City School in 1960.}}</ref> to Italian-American parents<ref name="Ronnie James Dio obituary"/> Patrick and Anna from [[Cortland, New York]]. His family moved to Portsmouth from Cortland as part of his father's service in the U.S. Army during World War II,<ref name="G obit"/> and they resided there for only a short time before returning to Cortland. Padavona listened to a great deal of opera while growing up and was influenced vocally by American [[tenor]] [[Mario Lanza]].<ref name="usatoday_chat">{{cite news |date=June 17, 2002 |title=Talk Today – Ronnie James Dio |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/community/chat/2002-06-17-dio.htm |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |access-date=June 26, 2013}}</ref> His first formal musical training began at age 5, learning to play the trumpet.<ref name="usatoday_chat" /> It was during high school that Padavona formed his first rock 'n' roll group, The Vegas Kings,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Herbert |first=Geoff |date=July 26, 2021 |title=Ronnie James Dio autobiography chronicles his life from Cortland trumpeter to international rock star |url=https://www.syracuse.com/celebrity-news/2021/07/ronnie-james-dio-autobiography-chronicles-his-life-from-cortland-trumpeter-to-international-rock-star.html |access-date=December 15, 2022 |website=syracuse |language=en}}</ref> which would later be named Ronnie and the Rumblers and then Ronnie and the Red Caps. Though Padavona began his rock 'n' roll career on trumpet, he added singing to his skill set and also assumed bass guitar duties for the groups.{{citation needed|date=October 2018}}

Padavona graduated from Cortland High School in 1960.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /> He was allegedly offered a scholarship to the prestigious [[Juilliard School]] of Music but did not take up the offer due to his interest in rock music.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rivendell.fortunecity.com/dark/600/diography.htm |title=fortunecity.com |publisher=Rivendell.fortunecity.com |access-date=November 13, 2010|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202045843/http://rivendell.fortunecity.com/dark/600/diography.htm |archive-date=December 2, 2010 }}</ref> He instead attended the [[University at Buffalo, The State University of New York|State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo]] to major in [[pharmacology]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ronniejamesdiosite.com/NewsInterviews/Interviews/Extremeinterview.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205024132/http://ronniejamesdiosite.com/NewsInterviews/Interviews/Extremeinterview.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=December 5, 2008 |title=Ronnie James Dio interview |publisher=Ronniejamesdiosite.com |access-date=November 13, 2010}}</ref> There, he played trumpet in the university's concert band; however, he only attended the university from 1960 to 1961 and did not graduate.<ref name="G obit"/> Then he enrolled at [[State University of New York College at Cortland|Cortland State College]] but dropped out as well.<ref>{{cite news |last=McCleary |first=Michael |date=June 30, 2019 |title=Dio legacy lives on through annual celebration |url=https://cortlandstandard.net/2019/06/30/dio-legacy-lives-on-through-annual-celebration |work=Cortland Standard |access-date=May 23, 2020}}</ref> In a 2000 interview, he stated that he majored in history and minored in [[English studies|English]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://michaelpatrickwelch.org/2014/03/26/raw-qa-with-ronnie-james-dio-st-petersburg-times-2000 |title=Raw Q&A with Ronnie James Dio (St. Petersburg Times. 2000) |last=Welch |first=Michael Patrick |date=March 26, 2014 |website=michaelpatrickwelch.org |access-date=May 23, 2020}}</ref>

Despite being known for his powerful singing voice, Padavona claimed to have never received any vocal training.<ref name="HM_97_65">{{cite journal |last=Van Pelt |first=Doug |date=May–June 1997 |title=What Dio Sez |journal=[[HM (magazine)|HM Magazine]] |issue=65 |url=http://www.hmmagazine.com/archives/Dio.htm |access-date=April 30, 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20001212165000/http://www.hmmagazine.com/archives/Dio.htm |archive-date= December 12, 2000 |issn=1066-6923}}</ref> He instead attributed his singing ability to the use of breathing techniques he learned while playing trumpet.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.revolvermag.com/news/top-5-most-outrageous-facts-about-ronnie-james-dio.html |title=Top 5 Most Outrageous Facts About Ronnie James Dio &#124; Revolvermag |access-date=May 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517011303/http://www.revolvermag.com/news/top-5-most-outrageous-facts-about-ronnie-james-dio.html |archive-date=May 17, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Career==
===Early career===
Dio's musical career began in 1957, when he and several Cortland, New York, musicians formed the band The Vegas Kings. The group's lineup consisted of Dio on bass guitar, Billy DeWolfe on lead vocals, Nick Pantas on guitar, Tom Rogers on drums and Jack Musci on saxophone. The band changed its name to Ronnie and the Rumblers. In 1958, the band again changed its name to Ronnie and the Redcaps. Musci left the band in 1960 and a new guitarist, Dick Botoff, joined the lineup. The band released two singles: The first single was "Conquest"/"Lover" with the A-side being an instrumental track reminiscent of [[the Ventures]] and the B-side featuring DeWolfe on lead vocals. The second was "An Angel Is Missing"/"What'd I Say" featuring Dio on lead vocals for both tracks.

Explanations vary for how Padavona adopted the stage name "Dio". One is that Padavona's grandmother said he had a gift from God and should be called "Dio" ("God" in Italian), although this was disputed by Padavona's widow, Wendy, in a February 2017 interview. Another is that Dio was a reference to [[Sicilian Mafia|mafia]] member [[Johnny Dio]]; this explanation was confirmed in his autobiography.<ref>Wilson, Dave. ''Rock Formations: Categorical Answers to How Band Names Were Formed.'' San Jose, Calif.: Cidermill Books, 2004. {{ISBN|0-9748483-5-2}}</ref> Padavona first used the name on a recording in 1960, when he added it to the band's second release on Seneca. Soon after that, the band modified its name to Ronnie Dio and the Prophets. The Prophets lineup lasted for several years, touring throughout New York and playing college fraternity parties. They produced one single for [[Atlantic Records]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dio.net/biography/discography/Prophets_7.html |title=Tapio's Ronnie James Dio Pages: Ronnie Dio & The Prophets 7" Discography |publisher=Dio.net |access-date=February 6, 2013}}</ref> and one album. Some of the singles (such as "Mr. Misery," released on Swan) were labeled as being by Ronnie Dio as a solo artist, even if the rest of the Prophets contributed to the recording. The group released several singles during the following years until early 1967. Dio continued to use his birth name on any songwriting credits on those releases.

In late 1967, Ronnie Dio and the Prophets transformed into a new band called [[Elf (band)|the Electric Elves]] and added a keyboard player. In February 1968, the band was involved in a fatal car accident that killed guitarist Nick Pantas and briefly put Dio and the other band members in hospital. Following the accident, the group shortened its name to the Elves and used that name until mid-1972, when it released its first proper album under the name Elf. Over the next few years, the group went on to become a regular opening act for [[Deep Purple]]. Elf recorded three albums until the members' involvement in recording the first [[Rainbow (rock band)|Rainbow]] album in early 1975, resulting in Elf disbanding.

===Rainbow===
[[File:Rainbow in performance (27 09 1977 02 500b).jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Dio (left) and [[Ritchie Blackmore]] performing with [[Rainbow (rock band)|Rainbow]] in 1977]]
{{main|Rainbow (rock band)}}

In the mid-1970s, Dio's vocals caught the ear of Deep Purple guitarist [[Ritchie Blackmore]], who was planning on leaving Deep Purple due to creative differences over the band's new direction. Blackmore invited Dio, along with [[Gary Driscoll]], to record two songs in Tampa, Florida, on December 12, 1974. Blackmore stated in 1983, "I left Deep Purple because I'd met up with Ronnie Dio, and he was so easy to work with. He was originally just going to do one track of a solo LP, but we ended up doing the whole LP in three weeks, which I was very excited about."<ref name="hotten">{{cite web|author=Hotten, Jon |title=The Dio Years |url=http://images.radcity.net/6340/2165303.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124161532/http://images.radcity.net/6340/2165303.pdf |archive-date=January 24, 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=June 13, 2013 }}</ref> Being satisfied with the results, Blackmore decided to recruit more of Elf's musicians and form his own band, initially known as [[Rainbow (rock band)|Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow]]. They released the self-titled debut album ''[[Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow]]'' in early 1975. After that, Dio recorded two more studio albums ''[[Rising (Rainbow album)|Rising]]'' (1976) and ''[[Long Live Rock 'n' Roll]]'' (1978), the live album ''[[On Stage (Rainbow album)|On Stage]]'' and two archival live albums – (''[[Live in Munich 1977]]'' and ''[[Live in Germany 1976]]'') – with Blackmore. During his tenure with Rainbow, Dio and Blackmore were the only constant members. Dio is credited on those albums for all lyrical authorship as well as collaboration with Blackmore on musical arrangement. Dio and Blackmore split, with Blackmore taking the band in a more commercial direction, with [[Graham Bonnet]] on vocals and the album ''[[Down to Earth (Rainbow album)|Down to Earth]]''.

===Black Sabbath===
{{main|Black Sabbath}}

Following his departure from Rainbow in 1979, Dio joined Black Sabbath, replacing the fired [[Ozzy Osbourne]]. Dio met Sabbath guitarist [[Tony Iommi]] by chance at [[Rainbow Bar and Grill|the Rainbow]] on Sunset Strip in Los Angeles in 1979.<ref name="hotten" /> The two musicians were in similar situations, as Dio was seeking a new project and Iommi needed a vocalist. Dio said of the encounter, "It must have been fate, because we connected so instantly."<ref name="hotten" /> The pair kept in touch until Dio arrived at Iommi's Los Angeles house for a relaxed, getting-to-know-you jam session. On that first day, the duo wrote the song "Children of the Sea," which appeared on the ''[[Heaven and Hell (Black Sabbath album)|Heaven and Hell]]'' album, the first the band recorded with Dio as its vocalist, being released in 1980.

The follow-up album, ''[[Mob Rules (album)|Mob Rules]]'' (1981), featured new drummer [[Vinny Appice]]. Personality conflicts began emerging within the band. "Ronnie came into the band and he was doing whatever we told him, basically because he wanted the gig. The next album was a little different," Iommi recalled.<ref name="hotten" /> In 1982, conflict arose over the mixing of the ''[[Live Evil (Black Sabbath album)|Live Evil]]'' album. Iommi asserted that the album's engineer began complaining to him that he would work all day long on a mix, only to have Dio return to the studio at night to "do his own mix" in which his vocals were more prominent.<ref name="hotten" /> This was denied by Dio.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Welch|first=Chris |author-link=Chris Welch |title=London Calling|journal=Record|date=June 1983|volume=2|issue=8|page=4}}</ref> The conflict led to Dio and Appice ultimately quitting the band later that year.

In 1991, Dio returned to Black Sabbath to record the ''[[Dehumanizer]]'' album. The album was a minor hit, reaching the Top 40 in the United Kingdom and No. 44 on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]. The single "Time Machine" was featured in the movie ''[[Wayne's World (film)|Wayne's World]]'', the tenth highest-grossing film of 1992. Close to the end of 1992, Dio and Appice again left the band, citing an inability to work with Iommi and Butler.

===Dio===
{{main|Dio (band)}}
Wanting to continue together as a band, Dio and Appice formed the eponymous heavy metal band Dio in 1982. [[Vivian Campbell]] played guitar and [[Jimmy Bain]] played bass, the latter of whom Dio had known since his time with Rainbow. Their 1983 debut album, ''[[Holy Diver]]'', included the hit singles "[[Rainbow in the Dark]]" and "[[Holy Diver (song)|Holy Diver]]", which have remained the band's signature songs.

The band added keyboardist [[Claude Schnell]] and recorded two more full-length studio albums with this lineup, ''[[The Last in Line]]'' (1984) and ''[[Sacred Heart (Dio album)|Sacred Heart]]'' (1985). A 1984 live recording, ''[[A Special from the Spectrum]]'', was filmed during the band's second world tour and released in [[VHS]] format only. The band changed members over the years, eventually leaving Dio as the only original member in 1990. Except for a few breaks, the band was constantly touring or recording. They released 10 albums, with ''[[Master of the Moon]]'' being the last one, recorded in 2004.

===Heaven & Hell===
{{main|Heaven & Hell (band)}}
[[Image:Dio throwing Horns.jpg|thumb|Dio "[[sign of the horns|throwing horns]]", a gesture commonly used by both artists and fans of heavy metal music]]
In October 2006, Dio joined Black Sabbath members [[Tony Iommi]], [[Geezer Butler]] and former Black Sabbath drummer [[Vinny Appice]] to tour under the moniker Heaven & Hell, the title of the first Dio-era Black Sabbath album. They chose the name Heaven & Hell as Iommi and Butler were still in Black Sabbath with Osbourne and felt it was best to use a different moniker for the Dio version of the band. Original Black Sabbath drummer [[Bill Ward (musician)|Bill Ward]] was to be involved in this project, but later withdrew.

In 2007, the band recorded three new songs under the Black Sabbath name for the compilation album ''[[Black Sabbath: The Dio Years]]''.

In 2008, the band completed a 98-date world tour. The band released one album under the Heaven & Hell name, ''[[The Devil You Know (Heaven & Hell album)|The Devil You Know]]'', to critical and commercial acclaim. They also had planned to release a follow-up in 2010.

===Other projects===
In 1974, Dio sang on the [[Roger Glover]] conducted and produced concept album ''[[The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast]]''. Along with other guest-singers, the album featured [[Deep Purple]] alumni [[Glenn Hughes (English singer)|Glenn Hughes]] and [[David Coverdale]]. Dio provided vocals for the songs "Homeward", "Sitting in a Dream" and the UK single ''[[Love Is All (Roger Glover song)|Love Is All]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nightflight.com/the-butterfly-ball-and-the-grasshoppers-feast-remembering-ronnie-james-dios-psychedelic-childrens-song-love-is-all/|title="The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast": Remembering Dio's psychedelic children's song "Love is All"|language=en-US|access-date=April 4, 2019|archive-date=September 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902072447/http://nightflight.com/the-butterfly-ball-and-the-grasshoppers-feast-remembering-ronnie-james-dios-psychedelic-childrens-song-love-is-all/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lambiek.net/artists/w/whitaker_harold.htm|title=Harold Whitaker|website=lambiek.net|language=en|access-date=June 12, 2019}}</ref>

In 1980, Dio made vocal contributions to Kerry Livgren's Christian themed progressive rock album [[Seeds of Change (album)|Seeds of Change]], where he sang on the tracks "Live For the King" and "The Mask of the Great Deceiver."

In 1985, Dio contributed to the metal world's answer to [[Band Aid (band)|Band Aid]] and [[USA for Africa]] with the [[Hear 'n Aid]] project. With a heavy metal all-star ensemble—the brainchild of his fellow Dio bandmates Campbell and Bain—he sang some of the vocals on the single "Stars" and an album full of songs from other artists given to charity. The project raised $1&nbsp;million within a year.

In 1997, Dio made a cameo on [[Pat Boone]]'s ''[[In a Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy]]'', an album of famous heavy metal songs played in [[big band]] style. Dio can be heard singing backup on Boone's take of "[[Holy Diver (song)|Holy Diver]]".

In 1999, he was parodied in the TV show ''[[South Park]]'', in the episode "[[Hooked on Monkey Fonics]]", which he later described as "wonderful."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75TCYuq0-Lw  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/75TCYuq0-Lw| archive-date=December 11, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Ronnie James Dio on Reality Check TV (2002) |publisher=YouTube |date=June 25, 2009 |access-date=May 18, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

[[Tenacious D]] included a tribute song entitled "Dio" that appeared on their [[Tenacious D (album)|self-titled album]]. The song explains how he has to "pass the torch" for a new generation. Reportedly, Dio approved of it and had Tenacious D appear in his video "Push" from ''[[Killing the Dragon]]'' in 2002. He also appeared in the film ''[[Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny]]'', playing himself and providing guest vocals in the movie's opening musical number "Kickapoo."<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Jack Black Remembers Ronnie James Dio: 'He Kicked Major Ass' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jack-black-remembers-ronnie-james-dio-he-kicked-major-ass-62715/ |magazine=Rolling Stone|date=May 15, 2015 }}</ref>

In 2005, Dio was revealed to be the voice behind Dr. X in ''[[Operation: Mindcrime II]]'', the sequel to [[Queensrÿche]]'s seminal concept album ''[[Operation: Mindcrime]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ronnie James Dio To Play 'Dr. X' On Queensrÿche's 'Operation: Mindcrime II' |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ronnie-james-dio-to-play-dr-x-on-queensr-che-s-operation-mindcrime-ii/ |website=Blabbermouth|date=December 16, 2005 }}</ref> His part was shown in a prerecorded video on the subsequent tour and Dio appeared onstage to sing the part live on at least one occasion (both shown on the ''Mindcrime at the Moore'' DVD).

Though he was unable to finish writing it, Dio's autobiography, titled ''Rainbow in the Dark: The Autobiography'', was completed by Wendy Dio and Mick Wall and published posthumously on July 27, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hatfield|first=Amanda|url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/dio-autobiography-rainbow-in-the-dark-out-now-order-it/|title=Dio autobiography 'Rainbow in the Dark' out now (order it)|website=Brooklyn Vegan|date=July 27, 2021|access-date=June 3, 2022}}</ref>

A documentary about Dio's life titled ''DIO: Dreamers Never Die'' premiered at [[SXSW]] on March 21, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|last=Zapata|first=Mark|url=https://metalinsider.net/news/official-ronnie-james-dio-documentary-dio-dreamers-never-die-premiered-at-sxsw-film-festival|title=Official Ronnie James Dio documentary 'Dio: Dreamers Never Die,' premiered at SXSW Film Festival|website=Metal Insider|date=March 21, 2022|access-date=June 3, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Herbert |first1=Geoff |title='Dio' rockumentary film salutes a Central New York music legend |url=https://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/2022/09/ronnie-james-dio-rockumentary-film-salutes-a-central-new-york-music-legend.html |access-date=September 21, 2022 |work=[[syracuse.com]] |date=September 21, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> The film received a limited theatrical release on September 28, and premiered on television on [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] December 1, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 17, 2022|title=RONNIE JAMES DIO Documentary 'Dreamers Never Die' To Receive Television Premiere Next Month|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/ronnie-james-dio-documentary-dreamers-never-die-to-have-its-television-premiere-next-month|access-date=December 4, 2022|website=Blabbermouth}}</ref>

== Influences and musical style ==
Even though he was born and raised in America Dio was heavily influenced by British acts, in a 2005 interview he stated “Those who influenced me were [[Deep Purple]] and [[Led Zeppelin]]. Mainly English bands of that era. But especially Purple and Zeppelin. That’s what made me want to do this more and more, and more. Because the first band I was in back then, ELF, were much more a kind of honky tonk rock ‘n’ roll band.”<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taysom |first=Joe |date=2022-07-09 |title=Ronnie James Dio's favourite bands of all time |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/ronnie-james-dio-favourite-bands/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=faroutmagazine.co.uk |language=en-US}}</ref>

Dio’s singing style has been described as [[operatic]]'','' powerful and emotional, possessing a deep vocal range he was capable of singing both hard rock and lighter ballads. His lyrics often revolved around fantasy, mythology, heroes vs. evil, and cosmic struggle. He has also been credited for bringing intellectual depth and imaginative storytelling to metal, showing that heavy music could be thoughtful and poetic. He was also known for his performances during live shows.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-16 |title=The RONNIE JAMES DIO Legacy In Metal: The Epic Story Of A Vocal Titan |url=https://loadedradio.com/ronnie-james-dio-legacy-in-metal/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Ronnie James Dio HAH Katowice.jpg|thumb|Dio and drummer [[Vinny Appice]] performing with [[Heaven & Hell (band)|Heaven & Hell]] in [[Katowice]], Poland, in June 2007]]
Dio married his first wife Loretta Berardi (born 1941) in 1963.<ref name="marriage1"/> They adopted a son but divorced in 1972.<ref name="G obit">{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/may/17/ronnie-james-dio-obituary | location=London | work=The Guardian | title=Ronnie James Dio obituary | first=Adam | last=Sweeting | date=May 17, 2010}}</ref>

In 1978, Dio married Wendy Walters<ref name="marriage2" /> (born 1945), ex-wife of drummer [[Aynsley Dunbar]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV64-5B2S |title=Aynsley T Dunbar, "England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005" |date=1966 |website=Familysearch.org |access-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref> and guitarist Ricardo Gaxiola.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V6JZ-BGW |title=Ricardo A Gaxiola, "California Marriage Index, 1960-1985" |date=1972 |website=Familysearch.org |access-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VP5V-RHQ |title=Ricardo A Gaxiola, "California Divorce Index, 1966-1984" |date=1977 |website=Familysearch.org |access-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref> She also served as Dio's manager. In the 1980s, she managed the Los Angeles rock bands [[Rough Cutt]], NuHaven, Cold Sweat and [[Hellion (band)|Hellion]]. The couple separated but did not divorce. (In 2012, after Dio's death, she married her longtime partner Omar Gimenez.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/wendy-dio-marries-longtime-boyfriend-in-california/|title=WENDY DIO Marries Longtime Boyfriend In California|date=September 11, 2012|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref>)

In September 2003, Dio accidentally severed his thumb during a gardening accident when a heavy garden gnome fell onto it.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ronnie-james-dio-talks-about-being-attacked-by-killer-garden-gnome/|title=RONNIE JAMES DIO Talks About Being Attacked By Killer Garden Gnome|date=September 10, 2004|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=January 17, 2020}}</ref> Dio was concerned he would no longer be able to do his signature "devil's horns" hand gesture, but a doctor managed to re-attach it.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=2475|title=Ronnie James Dio Loses Thumb|date=September 29, 2003|work=Knac.com|access-date=January 17, 2020}}</ref>

=== Illness and death ===
On November 25, 2009, Dio announced that he was diagnosed with stomach cancer<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=131004|title=Ronnie James Dio Diagnosed With Stomach Cancer|date=November 25, 2009|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=November 26, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128080156/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=131004|archive-date=November 28, 2009}}</ref> and underwent treatment at the [[University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center|MD Anderson Cancer Center]] in Houston, Texas.

On May 4, 2010, Heaven & Hell announced they were canceling all summer dates as a result of Dio's health condition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=139554 |title=HEAVEN & HELL: All Summer Shows Canceled |publisher=Roadrunnerrecords.com |access-date=November 13, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722164333/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=139554 |archive-date=July 22, 2010 }}</ref> His last live performance was with Heaven & Hell on August 29, 2009, in [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]]. Dio died of the illness on May 16, 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/05/16/metal-rocker-ronnie-james-dio-has-died-wife-says/ |title=CNN.com: Metal rocker Ronnie James Dio has died, wife says |publisher=News.blogs.cnn.com |date=May 16, 2010 |access-date=November 13, 2010 |archive-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909043635/http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/05/16/metal-rocker-ronnie-james-dio-has-died-wife-says/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=140129 |title=Legendary Heavy Metal Vocalist RONNIE JAMES DIO Dies |publisher=Roadrunnerrecords.com |access-date=November 13, 2010|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100812103305/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=140129 |archive-date=August 12, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ronniejamesdio.com/ |title=Officially communicated of Dio's death |publisher=Ronniejamesdio.com |access-date=November 13, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100513014925/http://www.ronniejamesdio.com/ |archive-date=May 13, 2010 }}</ref>

[[File:Ronnie James Dio Tomb.JPG|thumb|left|The tomb of Dio (note the "[[Sign of the horns|devil's horns]]" sign on the flanking urns)]]

Two weeks after his death, a public memorial service was held at The Hall of Liberty, [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)|Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills]], Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite news|author=The Associated Press |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/ronnie-james-dio-remembered-in-l-a-1.967660 |title=Ronnie James Dio remembered in L.A |publisher=Cbc.ca |date=May 31, 2010 |access-date=November 13, 2010}}</ref> The hall was filled to capacity, with many more fans sitting outside the hall watching the memorial on multiple giant screens on both the east and south sides of the hall. Friends, family, and former and current bandmates of Dio, including [[Rudy Sarzo]], [[Geoff Tate]], [[John Payne (singer)|John Payne]], [[Glenn Hughes (English singer)|Glenn Hughes]], [[Joey Belladonna]] and Heaven & Hell keyboard player, [[Scott Warren]], gave speeches and performed. On the screen was an accompanying documentary covering Dio's career from his early days with Elf to his final project with Heaven & Hell.<ref>{{cite web |title=Metal's Elite Attend Ronnie James Dio Memorial |url=https://www.spin.com/2010/06/metals-elite-attend-ronnie-james-dio-memorial/ |website=Spin|date=June 2010 }}</ref>

==Legacy and popular culture==
[[Image:Dio monument.jpeg|thumb|A tribute monument of Dio in [[Kavarna]], Bulgaria]]

Dio's career spanned more than 50 years. During this period and particularly in the 21st century, he received a number of distinctions and awards. He was inducted into the Cortland City Hall of Fame in 2004 and has a street named after him there called Dio Way.<ref name=":0" /> ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock Magazine]]'' awarded Dio the "Metal Guru Award" at their yearly "Roll of Honour" awards ceremony in 2006. On January 17, 2007, Dio was inducted into Guitar Center's Rock Walk of Fame in Hollywood. Dio was named "Best Metal Singer" at the ''[[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]]'' Golden Gods Awards in April 2010 for his work on ''[[The Devil You Know (Heaven & Hell album)|The Devil You Know]]'', making him the oldest recipient of this award at age 67. He accepted the award in person at what was to be his final public appearance, just one month before his death.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.revolvermag.com/golden-gods/news/the-second-annual-revolver-golden-gods-winners-are-revealed/ |title=The Second Annual Revolver Golden Gods Winners Are Revealed! – Revolver Golden Gods Awards |publisher=Revolvermag.com |date=April 9, 2010 |access-date=November 13, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901001125/http://www.revolvermag.com/golden-gods/news/the-second-annual-revolver-golden-gods-winners-are-revealed |archive-date=September 1, 2010 }}</ref>

The main stage of [[Bloodstock Open Air]] is also named after him in tribute after Heaven & Hell pulled out upon his death. Also, the main stage on [[Masters of Rock (festival)|Masters of Rock festival]] carries his name since summer 2010. A Dio monument has been unveiled in [[Kavarna]], Bulgaria.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vesti.bg/index.phtml?tid=40&oid=3351211 |title=Паметник на Рони Джеймс Дио откриха в Каварна |publisher=Vesti.bg |date=October 13, 2010 |access-date=November 13, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118055250/http://www.vesti.bg/index.phtml?tid=40&oid=3351211 |archive-date=November 18, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ronnie-james-dio-statue-to-be-erected-in-kavarna/|title=RONNIE JAMES DIO Statue To Be Erected In Kavarna|last=Blabbermouth|date=September 26, 2010|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|access-date=April 9, 2019}}</ref> In Mexico the biggest metal fest was named "Hell and Heaven" in honor of Dio; the organization says that the festival was named that way since they had worked with Dio, referring to him as "the greatest singer and person we ever had worked with, a really humble person."

''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine eulogized Dio with these words: "It wasn't just his mighty pipes that made him Ronnie James Dio — it was his moral fervor...what always stood out was Dio's raging compassion for the lost rock & roll children in his audience. Dio never pretended to be one of the kids — he sang as an adult assuring us that we weren't alone in our suffering, and some day we might even be proud of conquering it."<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/rob-sheffield/blogs/Sheffield_April2010/79743/79703 |title=Farewell, Dio: You Got to Bleed for the Dancer &#124; Rob Sheffield &#124; Rolling Stone |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=September 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130804122848/http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/blogs/pop-life/farewell-dio-you-got-to-bleed-for-the-dancer-20100518 |archive-date=August 4, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2023, ''Rolling Stone'' ranked Dio at number 165 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=January 1, 2023|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-singers-all-time-1234642307/ronnie-james-dio-1234642903/|access-date=March 2, 2023}}</ref>

Dio had a heavy influence on the metal genre and many vocalists have described him as a influence such as  [[Russell Allen]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=ALLEN/LANDE: In-depth Interview With Russell Allen |url=http://www.metalassault.com/Interviews/012911_Russell_Allen.php |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=www.metalassault.com}}</ref> [[Michael Kiske]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Official Michael Kiske Website - Interviews |url=http://michael-kiske.de/content/blogcategory/15/20/lang,en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306042525/http://michael-kiske.de/content/blogcategory/15/20/lang,en |archive-date=2016-03-06 |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=michael-kiske.de}}</ref>  [[Tim "Ripper" Owens|Tim “Ripper” Owens]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2021-08-18 |title=TIM 'RIPPER' OWENS Says RONNIE JAMES DIO Was 'Probably' A Bigger Influence On Him Vocally Than ROB HALFORD |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/tim-ripper-owens-says-ronnie-james-dio-was-probably-a-bigger-influence-on-him-vocally-than-rob-halford/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref> [[Mike Baker (singer)|Mike Baker]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=An Interview with Shadow Gallery's Mike Baker |url=http://geocities.com/byrdtribute/sgint.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806184613/http://geocities.com/byrdtribute/sgint.html |archive-date=2009-08-06 |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=geocities.com}}</ref> [[Phil Anselmo]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Phil Anselmo Speaks on Why Pantera Abandoned Glam Metal, Explains Why He Shaved His Head |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/phil_anselmo_speaks_on_why_pantera_abandoned_glam_metal_explains_why_he_shaved_his_head.html |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=www.ultimate-guitar.com |language=en}}</ref> [[Joseph Michael]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Talk with White Wizzard's New Vocalist Joseph Michael |url=https://newnoisemagazine.com/interviews/talk-white-wizzards-vocalist-joseph-michael/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=New Noise Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Melissa VanFleet]]<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH8y1BEXWW4 |title=Too Late (Black Sabbath cover) - Melissa VanFleet |date=2013-05-16 |last=Melissa VanFleet |access-date=2025-11-17 |via=YouTube}}</ref> and [[Bruce Dickinson]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Metal |first=Vintage Heavy |date=2021-07-14 |title=Iron Maiden Vocalist Bruce Dickinson Lists 6 Singers Who Influenced Him Most |url=https://www.vintageheavymetal.com/article/iron-maiden-bruce-dickinson-6-influences/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=Vintage Heavy Metal |language=en-US}}</ref> Anthropologist [[Sam Dunn]] traced the origins of power metal back to the late 1970s, and credited Dio for laying down the groundwork for [[Power metal|power metals]] lyrical style. The fantasy-oriented lyrics he wrote for [[Rainbow (English band)|Rainbow]], concentrated around medieval, renaissance, folk, and science fiction themes, directly influenced modern power metal bands.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Metal – A Headbanger's Journey, DVD, ASIN B000FS9OZY (2005).}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-29 |title=A Subjective History of Power Metal |url=http://www.deadendfollies.com/blog/metal-outsiders-journey-power-metal-outsider-among-outsiders |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=Dead End Follies |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Eric Adams (musician)|Eric Adams]] the lead singer of [[Manowar]] called Dio “the first god of metal”<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2010-06-20 |title=MANOWAR Singer: RONNIE JAMES DIO Was 'The First God Of Metal' |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/manowar-singer-ronnie-james-dio-was-the-first-god-of-metal/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref>

On December 25, 1985 a star was named after Dio.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ronnie-James-Dio-blog |url=https://www.starregistry.com/name-a-star/d/ronnie-james-dio-blog/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=International Star Registry - Name a Star |language=en-US}}</ref>

Following his death The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund, was founded in his memory and held charity events along with an annual awards gala which took place in California.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Graff |first=Gary |date=2020-02-19 |title=Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund to Remember Late Rocker With Memorial Awards Gala |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/ronnie-james-dio-memorial-awards-gala-8551374/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>

On July 10, 2011, in parallel to Dio's birthday, his hometown of Cortland, New York held a day-long event featuring many central New York local bands and talent for a benefit to the Stand Up and Shout Cancer foundation for cancer research and Dio Memorial concert. Part of the proceeds from the event went to fund a memorial music scholarship for the local city high-school in his name.<ref>{{cite web|author=Dick Bottoff |url=http://www.standupandshoutcortland.org |title=DIO Tribute Web Site |publisher=Standupandshoutcortland.org |date=July 10, 2011 |access-date=August 21, 2011}}</ref>

On March 31, 2014, the [[tribute album]] ''[[Ronnie James Dio This Is Your Life]]'' was released. It was organized and produced by Wendy Gaxiola, with album proceeds benefitting the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/metal-hammer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329052637/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/metallica-anthrax-killswitch-engage-to-feature-on-dio-tribute-ronnie-james-dio-this-is-your-life/|url-status=dead|title=Metal Hammer &#124; Louder|archive-date=March 29, 2014|website=Metal Hammer Magazine}}</ref>

On August 6, 2016, a [[hologram]] of the singer, created by Eyellusion, made its live debut at the [[Wacken Open Air]] Festival.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ronnie-james-dio-hologram-debuts-at-german-metal-festival-96261/|title=Ronnie James Dio Hologram Debuts at German Metal Festival|last1=Grow|first1=Kory|date=August 7, 2016|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=April 9, 2019}}</ref> A second hologram was created for a subsequent world tour, which began on December 6, 2017, in Bochum, Germany.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ronnie-james-dio-hologram-dio-returns-the-world-tour-kicks-off-in-bochum-germany-video/|title=RONNIE JAMES DIO Hologram: 'Dio Returns: The World Tour' Kicks Off In Bochum, Germany (Video)|last=Blabbermouth|date=December 6, 2017|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|access-date=April 9, 2019}}</ref>

On January 18, 2017, Dio was inducted into the Hall of Heavy Metal History, now known as the [[The Metal Hall of Fame|Metal Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/scorpions-metal-blade-records-nominated-to-hall-of-heavy-metal-history-109710/|title=Scorpions Among Nominees for Hall of Heavy Metal History|last1=Legaspi|first1=Althea|date=December 22, 2016|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=December 3, 2019}}</ref>

"I guess if I've left any kind of legacy", Dio remarked in 1987, "it's been ''[[Heaven and Hell (Black Sabbath album)|Heaven and Hell]]'' and a lot of ''[[Rising (Rainbow album)|Rainbow Rising]]''."<ref>Ronnie James Dio interview with [[Tommy Vance]] for [[BBC Radio 1]]'s ''[[Friday Rock Show]]''; broadcast August 21, 1987; transcribed by editor Peter Scott for Sabbath [[fanzine]] ''Southern Cross'' No. 11, October 1996, p27-28</ref>

''[[JoJo's Bizarre Adventure]]''{{'}}s main villain, [[Dio Brando]], gets his name from a combination of Dio and [[Marlon Brando]]'s surnames.<ref>{{cite web|last=Young|first=Simon|url=https://www.kerrang.com/18-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-ronnie-james-dio|title=18 things you probably didn't know about Ronnie James Dio|website=Kerrang!|date=July 9, 2021|access-date=March 14, 2022}}</ref>

In the fourth season of television series ''[[Stranger Things]]'', character Eddie Munson wears a denim vest that includes a large back panel of the artwork on the cover of Dio's ''[[The Last in Line]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Alderslade|first=Merlin|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/stranger-things-actor-listened-to-a-lot-of-heavy-metal-to-get-into-character|title=Stranger Things actor "listened to a lot of heavy metal" to get into character|website=Louder Sound|date=May 31, 2022|access-date=June 2, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://metalinjection.net/at-the-movies/eddie-munsons-dio-jacket-on-stranger-things-came-from-ronnie-james-dios-personal-estate/amp|title=EDDIE MUNSON's DIO Jacket On Stranger Things Came From RONNIE JAMES DIO's Personal Estate|website=Metal Injection|date=June 1, 2022|access-date=June 3, 2022}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{main|Ronnie James Dio discography}}

== Awards and honors ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Year
!Award
!Category
!Result
!Ref.
|-
|1985
|[[Hit Parader|Hit Parade]]
|Vocalist of the Year
|{{Won}}
| rowspan="6" |<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Homeville Museum Dio Awards |url=https://homevillemuseum.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/ronnie-james-dio.pdf}}</ref>
|-
|1988
|The Children of the Night
|Philanthropist of the Year
|{{Won}}
|-
|2006
|[[Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards]]
|Metal Guru
|{{Won}}
|-
|2009
|[[Burrn!|BURRN!]] 
|Best Male Vocalist
|{{Won}}
|-
|2010
|[[Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards]]
|Tommy Vance Inspiration Award
|{{Won}}
|-
|2010
|[[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]] Golden Gods Awards
|Best Vocalist
|{{Won}}
|-
|[[Kerrang! Awards 2010|2010]]
|[[Kerrang! Awards|''Kerrang!'' Awards]] 
|Icon Award
|{{Won}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ronnie James Dio Wins The Kerrang! Icon Award 2010 |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/ronnie_james_dio_wins_the_kerrang_icon_award_2010.html |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=www.ultimate-guitar.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|2014
|Syracuse Area Music Hall of Fame
|Lifetime Achievement
|{{Won}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2014-03-06 |title=RONNIE JAMES DIO To Receive Posthumous 'Lifetime Achievement Award' From 'Syracuse Area Music Hall Of Fame' |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ronnie-james-dio-to-receive-posthumous-lifetime-achievement-award-from-syracuse-area-music-hall-of-fame/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref>
|}

=== Halls of Fame ===

* [[Cortland, New York|Cortland]] City Hall of Fame (class of 2004)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-29 |title=Documentary on Cortland Native's Epic Rise Through Rock Hits DVD |url=https://wour.com/dio-dreamers-never-die-dvd-cortland/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=96.9 WOUR |language=en}}</ref>
* Hollywood Rock Walk of Fame (2007)<ref name=":2" />
* The Ultimate Classic Rock Hall of Fame (class of 2014)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dio inducted into the Ultimate Classic Rock Hall of Fame |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/dio-ultimate-classic-rock-hall-of-fame/}}</ref>
* [[The Metal Hall of Fame]] (inaugural class 2017)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-12-06 |title=Dio, Lemmy, Randy Rhoads Among 2017 Hall of Metal Inductees |url=https://loudwire.com/ronnie-james-dio-lemmy-kilmister-randy-rhoads-2017-hall-heavy-metal-history-nominees/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=Loudwire |language=en}}</ref>

=== Other honors ===

* Street titled “Dio Way” located in Cortland New York<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cortland, NY - Dio Way: Childhood Home of Ronnie James Dio |url=https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/89278 |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=RoadsideAmerica.com |language=en}}</ref>

* Bronze statue built in his honor in [[Kavarna|Kavarna, Bulgaria]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramsak |first=Bob |date=2014-07-10 |title=The World’s Only Ronnie James Dio Memorial – a Seven Photo Gallery |url=https://www.bobramsak.com/ronnie-james-dio-memorial-kavarna/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=Bob Ramsak - Notebooks |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-09-27 |title=Ronnie James Dio Honored With Statue In Bulgaria |url=https://metalinjection.net/news/ronnie-james-dio-honored-statue-bulgaria |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=Metal Injection |language=en-US}}</ref>
* The MainStage of [[Bloodstock Open Air]] is named in his honor<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ronnie James Dio Stage - Bloodstock bands, band line up, heavy metal, metal, metal bands, festival bands, rock bands, metal festival, rock festivals, death metal, black metal, heavy metal band line up {{!}} Bloodstock |url=https://www.bloodstock.uk.com/events/boa-2017/stages/ronnie-james-dio-stage |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=www.bloodstock.uk.com}}</ref>
* Voted #1 Greatest Heavy Metal Singer by [[The Metal Archives|The Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal]] in 2003<ref name=":2" />
* Named the best metal vocalist of all time by [[Sacha Jenkins]] in 2013<ref name=":3" />

== Timeline ==
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize   = width:890 height:auto barincrement:20
PlotArea    = left:100 bottom:100 top:10 right:20
Alignbars   = justify
DateFormat  = dd/mm/yyyy
Period      = from:01/01/1957 till:04/05/2010
TimeAxis    = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend      = columns:3 position:bottom
ScaleMajor  = increment:2 start:1958
ScaleMinor  = increment:1 start:1957

Colors =
  id:vocals        value:red        legend:Lead_vocalist
  id:keys          value:purple      legend:Keyboardist
  id:bass           value:blue         legend:Bassist
  id:trumpet      value:skyblue      legend:Trumpeter
  id:studio   	 value:black       legend:Studio_release
  id:bars     	 value:gray(0.95)

BackgroundColors = bars:bars

LineData =
 layer:back color:studio
  at:01/01/1963
  at:01/01/1967
  at:01/08/1972
  at:01/04/1974
  at:01/06/1975
  at:04/08/1975
  at:17/05/1976
  at:14/08/1978
  at:18/04/1980
  at:01/07/1981
  at:04/11/1981
  at:22/06/1992
  at:25/05/1983
  at:02/07/1984
  at:13/08/1985
  at:21/07/1987
  at:15/05/1990
  at:25/10/1993
  at:15/10/1996
  at:21/03/2000
  at:21/05/2002
  at:30/08/2004
  at:28/04/2009
 
BarData =
  bar:kings    	  text:"The Vegas Kings"
  bar:rumblers    text:"Rumblers"
  bar:caps	  text:"Red Caps"
  bar:prophets	  text:"Prophets"
  bar:elf	  text:"Elf"
  bar:rainbow	  text:"Rainbow"
  bar:sabbath	  text:"Black Sabbath"
  bar:dio	  text:"Dio"
  bar:hell	  text:"Heaven and Hell"

PlotData =
 width:11 textcolor:black align:left  
  color:trumpet
  bar:kings    from:start      till:30/12/1957
  bar:rumblers  from:01/01/1958  till:30/12/1958

  color:vocals
  bar:caps	from:01/09/1958   till:24/12/1961
  bar:prophets	from:24/12/1961   till:24/12/1967
  bar:elf	from:24/12/1967   till:01/06/1975
  bar:rainbow	from:01/02/1975   till:24/12/1978
  bar:sabbath	from:02/02/1979   till:01/08/1982
  bar:dio	from:01/01/1982    till:09/05/1991
  bar:sabbath	from:02/09/1991   till:01/07/1992
  bar:dio	from:01/04/1992   till:end
  bar:hell	from:01/10/2006   till:end

  color:bass width:3
  bar:prophets	from:24/12/1961   till:24/12/1967
  bar:elf	from:24/12/1967   till:30/06/1973

  color:keys
  bar:dio    from:01/01/1982 till:02/07/1984 
  bar:dio    from:15/09/1999 till:15/12/1999
}}

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=marriage1>Ancestry.com. New York, Heiratsindex, 1881-1967 [database on-line]. Ronald Padavona and Lorett Berardi, May 4, 1963.</ref>
<ref name=marriage2>{{cite web |url=https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VWYW-G59 |title=Ronald J Padavona "Connecticut Marriage Index, 1959-2001" |date=1978 |website=Familysearch.org |access-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Sources==
* Pillsbury, Glenn (2013). "Dio's Lost Decade: Recovering the 1960s Career of Ronnie James Dio". Retrieved from [http://www.peteofthestreet.net/dioslostdecade http://www.peteofthestreet.net/dioslostdecaden]

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Commons category|Ronnie Dio}}
*{{Official website|1=http://www.ronniejamesdio.com}}
*[http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/ronnie-james-dio/56198 Ronnie James Dio] at [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard.com]]
*[http://www.standupandshoutcortland.org Memorial benefit event]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130309040047/http://www.mtv.com/artists/ronnie-james-dio MTV]

{{Elf}}
{{Rainbow (English band)}}
{{Black Sabbath}}
{{Dio}}
{{Heaven & Hell}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dio, Ronnie James}}
[[Category:1942 births]]
[[Category:2010 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:20th-century American male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American singers]]
[[Category:American agnostics]]
[[Category:American autobiographers]]
[[Category:American blues rock musicians]]
[[Category:American critics of religions]]
[[Category:American expatriates in England]]
[[Category:American heavy metal singers]]
[[Category:American male bass guitarists]]
[[Category:American rock bass guitarists]]
[[Category:American tenors]]
[[Category:American people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Articles which contain graphical timelines]]
[[Category:Black Sabbath members]]
[[Category:Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)]]
[[Category:Deaths from stomach cancer in Texas]]
[[Category:Dio (band) members]]
[[Category:Elf (band) members]]
[[Category:Guitarists from New Hampshire]]
[[Category:Heaven & Hell (band) members]]
[[Category:Kerrang! Awards winners]]
[[Category:People from Cortland, New York]]
[[Category:People from Portsmouth, New Hampshire]]
[[Category:Rainbow (rock band) members]]
[[Category:Singers from New Hampshire]]