from the LP Holy Diver, Warner Bros. Records, 1983We have truly lost a great one… Ronnie James Dio was not only heavy metal’s elder statesman, he was a beaming example of what it means to love what you do and not take anything for granted; this man’s first band was in 1958, so he already possessed maturity by the time Blackmore enlisted him to front Rainbow in the mid ‘70s. Every interview clip I’ve ever seen of Dio he was smiling, visibly stoked & verbally grateful for what rock ‘n’ roll had given him---let alone, what he’s given rock. Beyond the devil-horn fist pump that’s become ubiquitous at concerts of all types, his vocal delivery served as one the biggest influences on NWOBHM acts in the 1980s (Maiden, Saxon, Priest, et al.); this song was his solo group’s biggest hit, culled from an album that caused quite a bit of ruckus upon it’s release, due to the cover art’s portrayal of a demonic creature seemingly drowning a Catholic priest---an image that wouldn’t even raise an eyebrow by today’s standards. What many people might not realize is that Dio was also actively involved in many humanitarian endeavors, including him & his wife’s charitable organization that helps sex workers & homeless women in need. May he rest in peace.
