RIP Ronnie James

Legendary metal frontman for countless influential metal acts, most notably Black Sabbath, Dio, and Rainbow, passed away on Sunday of stomach cancer. He’ll be remembered for many contributions to the rock world, but none greater than the devil horns, aka the metal sign. Youth in this generation may not know much about Dio, but they imitate him daily when they throw their horns and stick out their tongue (as I did in nearly every picture of me for about 6 months during high school and continue to do every now and again until this day). Dio may be gone, but his legacy will live on forever.

Some critics may point to others’ use of throwing horns prior to Dio, but without him pop culture would never have adopted the gesture that he became his trademark aroudn the time of the release of Sabbath’s Heaven & Hell. So, throw up your horns and join in this tribute to a small man with a big voice and even bigger influence. Hail Dio!

In tribute to Ronnie, here are a few of my favorite Dio related moments:

~ by thepaintedman on May 18, 2010.