Ronnie James Dio

Ronald James Padavona, known professionally as Ronnie James Dio (July 10, 1942 – May 16, 2010), was an American heavy metal singer. He founded and fronted several bands throughout his career, including Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio, and Heaven & Hell. Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Dio's family moved to Cortland, New York when he was young. He began his music career in 1957 with the Vegas Kings, later forming the band Elf in 1967. He gained prominence as the lead singer of Rainbow, founded by Ritchie Blackmore in 1975. Dio established himself as one of heavy rock's top vocalists. In 1979, he replaced Ozzy Osbourne as the lead singer of Black Sabbath.