Ronnie James Dio of Black Sabbath Dead at 67

Ronnie James Dio, the legendary heavy metal singer who replaced Ozzy Osbourne as Black Sabbath's frontman, died today. He was 61 or 67, according to the LA Times, and suffered from stomach cancer. "Many, many friends and family were able to say their private good-byes before he peacefully passed away," his wife, Wendy, said in a statement. "Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all."

Dio recorded with Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio, and Heaven & Hell during a 35-plus year career that saw him become a revered figure in the heavy metal community. "He possessed one of the greatest voices in all of heavy metal, and had a heart to match it," Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French told the AP. "He was the nicest, classiest person you would ever want to meet.""
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