description Ronnie James Dio Overview
Ronnie James Dio was an American heavy metal singer born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 1942, who fronted Rainbow and Black Sabbath before forming Dio, and is widely credited with popularizing the 'devil's horns' hand gesture in rock.
insights Ranking position
Ronnie James Dio ranks #53 of 225 in the Singer ranking, behind Loretta Lynn, ahead of Amy Winehouse.
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What bands was Ronnie James Dio the lead singer for?
Ronnie James Dio fronted several iconic heavy metal bands, most notably replacing Ozzy Osbourne as the lead vocalist for Black Sabbath in 1979. Prior to that, he sang for Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow and his own self-named band, Dio.
Did Ronnie James Dio invent the devil's horns hand gesture?
Ronnie James Dio is widely credited with popularizing the "devil's horns" hand gesture—extending the index and pinky fingers—as a universal symbol for heavy metal. He claimed he learned the Italian superstitious hand sign, called the "malocchio," from his grandmother to ward off the evil eye.
What are the most famous albums by Ronnie James Dio?
With Black Sabbath, Dio recorded the legendary 1980 album "Heaven and Hell" and its 1981 follow-up, "Mob Rules." With his own band Dio, he released the highly influential 1983 debut "Holy Diver," which featured the hit title track.
When did Ronnie James Dio pass away?
Ronnie James Dio passed away on May 16, 2010, at the age of 67. He died from stomach cancer, just months after being diagnosed with the disease while touring with his project Heaven & Hell.
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