The "Voice of Heavy Metal" died after struggling until the end against a bad disease in Houston hospital. His death has been and still is a shock for all Hard Rock and Heavy Metal wold. "Heaven and Hell", his last band, had already planned live dates in all the most important summer rock festivals and was eagerly awaited by their faithful fans (who, needless to say, are the same faithful fans of Black Sabbath, Dio, Rainbow and Ronnie himself). They were supposed to play together with the most important Heavy bands in the world. Summer 2010 Rock Festivals all over the world will surely have one big leader in the acts and thoghts of every band and every fan involved, and most of the live performances will surely be dedicated to "The King of R'N'R". Wendy Dio, who always remained next to Ronnie, has requested to make a donation to the Ronnie James Dio "STAND UP AND SHOUT CANCER FUND", the best way for everyone to say, thank you Ronnie!!!

Ronnie James Dio has performed with Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and his own band Dio. Other musical projects include the collective fundraiser Hear 'n Aid. He is widely hailed as one of the most powerful singers in hard rock and heavy metal, renowned for his consistently powerful voice and for popularizing the "devil's horns" hand gesture in metal culture. Ronnie James Dio married his first wife, Loretta Berardi (born 1941), sometime in the 1960s. They adopted one son, Dan Padavona (born July 1968). After divorcing Berardi, he married Wendy Galaxiola (born 1947), who also serves as his manager. In the 1980s she managed the Los Angeles rock bands Rough Cutt and Hellion. She is the chair of the privately sponsored organization, Children of the Night, dedicated to rescuing America's children from prostitution.