Biff Byford (Saxon):
“Today I heard my friend Ronnie Dio has lost his battle.
“It is a great loss to us all.
“I first met Ronnie in the early Eighties when we played with Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult, the infamous ‘Black and Blue’ tour.
“I first heard him sing on The Butterfly Ball and from that moment I understood what great singing was all about; he was at the top of his game from then on.
“His voice was always powerful and soaring; his phrasing was uniquely his, copied by many but never bettered.
“I will miss him as we all will.
“The last time we met was in Finland last year, both bands stranded in an airport with flight delays. What do you do?! Go to the bar, get drunk and tell rock and roll stories.
“He told great stories.
“Deepest condolences to his family.
“Somewhere in the night a candle burns for you
“To absent friends.”
Jeff Waters (Annihilator):
“Ronnie was a super-nice person, uniquely talented and has left us all with great music. In a way, it will strange to live and work in a world and business where Ronnie James Dio is no longer on tour, at the festivals, putting out his music.
“You will never be forgotten and will live on in the music of so many others.
“Stand up and shout.”
Random AKA Mega Ran:
“Still speechless.. wow.. R.I.P to the greatest voice in metal. Now there truly is a Rainbow in the Dark.”
Lemmy (Motorhead):
“I’m truly upset, especially since he seemed to be rallying at the Golden Gods show.
“Bon Voyage, Ronnie. Rest in peace.
“I’m devastated”
Corye Taylor (Slipknot, Stone Sour):
“One of the strongest, purist and consistent singers of all time. Ronnie sang like he lived — all out, from the heart, with so much honesty and joy. He was a great man with a smile and a handshake for fans and peers alike. He spoke his mind and stood his ground for decades. I will miss him dearly.”
Kerry King (Slayer):
“Few people have had the ability to carry a song like Dio, literally demanding your attention as he effortlessly recreated live the amazing things he did on record, it’s odd how things get taken from you quickly…I just saw him a month ago. I know I was lucky to have known Ronnie. One of the nicest guys in the business, without a doubt. He will be hugely missed.”
Duff McKagan (ex Guns n’ Roses, Velvet Revolver, Loaded, Jane’s Addiction):
“My part in this ‘summer music playlist’ it is going to be a touch bittersweet as it turns out.
“Last weekend, Ronnie James Dio succumbed to his battle with stomach cancer. From what I understand, Ronnie fought like a warrior to the end.
“I was supposed to pick a new-ish song for this list, but when it comes to rocking out in the summertime, sometimes you just got to go a little bit old-damn-school.“Last In Line is an ass-kicker right up there with anything, punk, rock, and/or metal, and us rockers owe a bit of reverence to this great man.
“R.I.P., RJD!”
Steve Vai:
“Dio was a shining light of rock/metal authenticity. He was a completely dedicated artist with massive talent. It’s likely that his vital contributions will continue to inspire well into the future. He is now legend. But more than all this, Ronnie was a really cool guy. I mean reeeally cool.
“God bless you, brutha.”
Gus G. (Ozzy Osbourne, Firewind, ex Dream Evil):
“On the night of May 16th, I was shocked to read the news. Ronnie James Dio, a true rock giant, is no longer with us.
“My condolences go out to his family and close ones and my thoughts are with you.
“His music with Dio, Black Sabbath and Rainbow has had a huge impact on me and Firewind‘s sound. One of the bands I used to play in also got its name from one of his songs — that was Dream Evil.
“While I never had the chance to meet him, Firewind played a festival with Heaven & Hell in 2009 and I got to see him perform. No doubt, it was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen and I was amazed by his energy and how spot-on all his notes were.
“His music will continue to inspire and his legacy will live on forever.
“Thank you for your magic, Ronnie James Dio.”
Ozzy Osbourne:
“I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Ronnie James Dio. Metal has truly lost one of its greatest voices. My heart goes out to his family and to his many fans.
“Love and respect.”
Joey Belladonna (Anthrax):
“Ronnie was a big inspiration, influence and dear friend of mine. He was a true gentleman and kind hearted individual. He always would go out of his way to make you feel welcome and important. Without a doubt he was one of the best, top notch and a class act. I will truly miss him.”
Henry Rollins:
“Backstage at the venue. Listening to Rainbow, tonight’s walk-in CD is burning away in my laptop. All Dio all night.
“Ronnie James Dio, the great vocalist of Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio and Heaven & Hell passed away Sunday morning.
“What a loss.
“I have been getting mail all afternoon about it.
“There was an Internet rumor of his passing and it was great to hear that it wasn’t true. I came back from the gym a few hours ago and Angel, our merch man, told me that it was indeed true.
“What a voice, what a loss.
“Dio’s passing made me think of my old bandmates in Black Flag as we used to listen to those records quite a bit.
“Damn, at least he left some amazing records behind.
“The metal world is stunned, I am sure.
“Ronnie James Dio, one of the greatest singers ever.”
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