Music in the Northwest with resources
and information for the music community.
blog.buko.net
My Typod
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Backstage Blog
"I support Live Music" T-shirt
This is a great gift for the music fan.
Video interviews and music with members
of the music community.
Oregon Music History
Read the "History of Portland Rock"
by SP Clarke, look at old photos that were
never published, and download PDFs
of Two Louies Magazine.
Metal legend Ronnie James Dio dies
by Ty Hitzemann
Buko Magazine prides itself upon the great NW talent we have right here, yet hold dear the legends who influence all of us from anywhere, and Ronnie James Dio is no exception. He died this Sunday of a year-long battle with stomach cancer. Dio's body of work is substantial stuff that has made an indelible mark upon many great artists right here amongst us, as well as all around the world.
On a personal level, Buko and myself have had many great discussions and listening sessions of his work, especially with Black Sabbath, and feel a great sense of loss. Ronnie's influence as both songwriter and vocalist were pretty much unparalleled.
Today my heart is broken," Wendy Dio wrote on the singer's site, adding he died at 7:45 a.m. "Many, many friends and family were able to say their private goodbyes before he peacefully passed away.
"Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all," Wendy Dio continued. "We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us ... Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever." The statement was confirmed by Los Angeles publicist Maureen O'Connor.
In 1975, Ronnie achieved fame as front man for Rainbow, who Richie Blackmore started after the demise of Deep Purple. Ronnie also enjoyed success as a solo act with his self-titled band DIO mainly in the 80's. His solo hits included "Rainbow In The Dark, "The Last In Line" and "Holy Diver."
Yet it was his intermittent stints with Black Sabbath which gained him the most prominence and popularity during 1980-1982; 1992; and again in 2007-2009.
More recently, the band toured under the moniker, Heaven And Hell in order to make the distinction with respect to Sabbath's original line-up with Ozzy Osbourne as front man. opposed to Ozzy's devil and out-right hell, fire and brimstone approach to both song-writing and stage imagery, Ronnie relied more upon a more medieval and gargoyle approach to the look, sound and feel to Black Sabbath.
Dio's rage-filled and intense tenor-infused vocal scrawl brought an acceptable if not controversial version of Sabbath after Ozzy's brief departure. 1980's 'Heaven and Hell' album ranked among one of the very best metal accomplishments of that age and still holds up as an absolute beacon of an achievement. The problems of the band, and that of Ozzy's own difficulties forced the remaining trio to carry on much to the chagrin of some purist Sabbath fans who may at first shunned the very thought. The intense debate ensued as to who finalized the 'true' essence of that band between the two singers. Dio's sudden confidence forged a fresh chapter proving the concept possible to re-invent...re-interpret if you will a fresh voice carrying collaborative value with the remaining band. Black Sabbath was ready to keep the train rolling...with or w/out Ozzy and Dio carried the torch w/ a calculated dagger in hand no matter ones preference.
"He possessed one of the greatest voices in all of heavy metal, and had a heart to match it," said Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French, whose band toured with Dio since 1983, and was to do so again this summer at European rock festivals. "He was the nicest, classiest person you would ever want to meet."
Ronnie James Dio was 67...so long pal.
