Remembering Ronnie James Dio

Born Ronald James Padavona in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1942, Dio's ascension from trumpet and French horn player, which were his first musical instruments, to heavy metal god is the story of perseverance, passion for rock 'n' roll and undeniable talent.

Dio's musical career began in 1957 with a band called The Vegas Kings, which later changed to Ronnie and the Rumblers, then Ronnie and the Redcaps, then in 1961, Ronnie Dio and the Prophets. In 1967, Dio and Prophets guitarist Nick Pantas formed the Electric Elves, which shortened its name two years later to Elf. The band's success eventually landed them an opening slot for Deep Purple, which exposed Dio's remarkable voice to Deep Purple's guitarist, Ritchie Blackmore, who later recruited Dio and other members of Elf for his new band Rainbow.

After three studio albums and a live album, Dio left Rainbow, and in 1979 he replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath. Dio's first album with Sabbath, the platinum-selling Heaven and Hell, was the shot in the arm Sabbath's flagging career needed. Next up was the album Mob Rules, followed by the live disc Live Evil. Disagreements during the mixing of Live Evil prompted Dio to leave the band and strike out on his own.