Heavy metal vocalist Ronnie James Dio has been diagnosed with stomach cancer.

Last week Dio’s wife and manager, Wendy Dio, announced her husband’s U.K. tour was canceled and that he had been hospitalized while they awaited further word.

From RonnieJamesDio.com.

“Ronnie has been diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer. We are starting treatment immediately at the Mayo Clinic. After he kills this dragon, Ronnie will be back on stage, where he belongs, doing what he loves best, performing for his fans.

“Thanks to all the friends and fans around the world that have sent well wishes. This has really helped to keep his spirit up.

“Long Live Rock and Roll, Long Live Ronnie James Dio”

i dont know who that person is

but i had a friend that i had known for 25yrs that died from stomach cancer.. i saw him the year before he died when he told me his stomach cancer was back, i saw him at the hospitol for i went into the out patient for a test and he was there waiting on his mom for she had went in for breast cancer surgery....
i was never inform he had died, and over a year ago i had a feeling i had to locate his family.. i found his brother home addy but never got a response back, i located his nephews and neices and again heard nothing and i kept looking and i ran across his obituary. and found the month, date and year he died. it blew me away, no one tried to let me know but then again no one knew my address.. he had died 4yrs prior and i saw him 3yrs before.

Who is he? I don't do much heavy metal, so I wouldn't know the front man on such a band...

Ronny is the lead singer of

1. Elf (early 70`s)

2. Black Sabbath.(replaced Ozzy)

3. Blackmores Rainbow (early 80`s)

4. Dio (His band now)

I'm sorry, Ed, but I have to make a few corrections. R.J. Dio has been the vocalist for many bands before even his Elf years.

The Vegas Kings [bass] (1957–1958)
Changed their name to Ronnie & The Rumblers [bass/vocals] (1958)
Changed their name to Ronnie and the Red Caps [bass/vocals] (1958–1961)
Changed their name to Ronnie Dio and the Prophets [lead vocals for all projects from this point on] (1961–1967)
Changed their name to The Electric Elves (1967–1969)
Name shortened to The Elves (1969–1970)
Name shortened again to Elf (1970–1975). Opened for Deep Purple.
When Deep Purple disbanded, founder/guitarist Richie Blackmore enlisted Dio to be lead vocalist for his new band, Rainbow (1975–1979)
Left Rainbow, joined Black Sabbath [replaced Ozzy Osbourne] (1979–1982)
Left Black Sabbath, formed his own solo band, Dio (1982–1991)
Briefly returned to record one more album with Black Sabbath (1991–1992)
Went back to his solo band, Dio (1993-present)

Also toured with Heaven And Hell, a combination band featuring members of Black Sabbath and Dio for the combined version of both bands.

Dio was also the voice of Dr. X on Queensryche's Operation: Mindcrime II, was the lead voice of the charity project Hear'N' Aid, and appeared in the beginning of the movie Tenacious D in The Pick Of Destiny.

He's 67 yrs old, for a real rocker, thats like 147 in dog yrs.

oh ok...Rainbow I liked... well I'll send some good thoughts his way...I know one who died from stomach cancer, not pretty. That damn cancer, not picky at all about who..

Rainbow - "Man On The Silver Mountain" (Dio vocals, 1975)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxxOPvLg7o0

Dio - "Holy Diver" (1983)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj7UBgVVew8

A very distictive, easily recognizable voice.

Not sure on the truth behind this rumour, but after Rob Halford left Judas Priest in 1993 there was talk of R.J.D joining the band in the 1996 reform until Tim Owens did. I wish that he had joined up, I love listening tio R.J.D!

My favourite DIO song is Rainbow in the dark.

I know Rob Halford sat in with Black Sabbath for a couple of shows a few years back, but as far as RJD joining Priest that I hadn't heard.

Perhaps it was just rumour as there was the Rob Halford connection with sabbath. He did a couple of gigs for R.J.D in 92 I think and didn't he do something recently for sabbath?

The videos are on youtube. I forget what song the video was for I watched but Rob forgot the lyrics, it was funny and he was laughing at himself.

WHAT ???!!!!

Damn. That's the same thing that took Randy Castillo far too soon.

Best wishes Ronnie.