Ronnie James Dio: Heavy Metal Vocalist of Black Sabbath and Rainbow Dies

Ronnie James Dio was an American heavy metal singer. Born Ronald James Padavona on July 10, 1942, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, he started as a trumpeter and bassist.

He sang for Rainbow, Black Sabbath and his own band, Dio, and he popularized the devil horns hand gesture in rock. His songs include "Rainbow in the Dark," "Holy Diver," "Heaven and Hell" and "The Last in Line." He also fronted Heaven and Hell, a Black Sabbath-related group.

He was married to Wendy Dio. He died of stomach cancer in Houston on May 16, 2010, at age 67.

Achievements: Fronted Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio.

Birth: July 10, 1942 - Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Profession: Singer.

Interesting Facts: He is credited with popularizing the devil horns hand sign.