music · 16 May 2010 · 14 years ago
Ronnie James Dio, singer with Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and his own band Dio died after a six-month battle with stomach cancer. He was 67 years old. Dios career began in 1957 with The Vegas Kings, which later changed to Ronnie and the Rumblers, then Ronnie and the Redcaps, then in 1961, Ronnie Dio and the Prophets. In 1967, Dio and Prophets guitarist Nick Pantas formed the Electric Elves, which shortened its name to Elf. The bands success eventually landed them an opening slot for Deep Purple, which exposed Dios voice to Deep Purples guitarist, Ritchie Blackmore, who later recruited Dio and other members of Elf for his new band Rainbow.
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