Mit Ronnie James Dio ist eine der schillerndsten Figuren im Heavy Metal verstorben – das wissen vor allem diejenigen, die ihn getroffen oder mit ihm gearbeitet haben. Entsprechend gigantisch sind die Kondolenzschreiben von Musikern aus allen Bereichen der Rock- und Metal-Welt.
Lars Ulrich (Metallica, Schlagzeug):
"I just got off stage in Zagreb. I was met with the news that you've passed on. I'm kind of in shock, but I wanted you to know that you were one of the main reasons I made it onto that stage to begin with. When I first saw you in Elf, opening for Deep Purplein 1975, I was completely blown away by the power in your voice, your presence on stage, your confidence, and the ease with which you seemed to connect to 6,000 Danish people and one starry-eyed 11-year-old, most of whom were not familiar with Elf's music. The following year, I was so psyched when I heard the results of you joining forces with my favorite guitar player. You guys sounded so right for each other and I instantly became Rainbow's #1 fan in Denmark."
Ritchie Blackmore (Rainbow, Gitarre):
"Ronnie had a unique and wonderful voice. He will be sadly missed in the rock and roll world."
Kiss:
"We mourn the tragic passing of the great Ronnie James Dio. In addition to his powerhouse vocal ability, Ronnie was a true gentleman who always emanated great warmth and friendship to us and everyone around him. We will miss him."
Rowan Robertson (ex. Dio, Gitarre):
"I am privileged to have been a part of Ronnie James Dio's life and music. His closest ones are in my thoughts."
Robb Flynn (Machine Head, Gesang, Gitarre):
"Dio was a true gentleman. He was a powerhouse singer. Incredible tone, and grit. His voice onstage was FUCKING LOUD!! Shockingly loud!! We were lucky enough to watch from side stage almost nightly, and all of us were blown away by how loud his voice was. His memory was staggering. He remembered my wife's name almost a year later, after only a brief one-minute introduction, and it charmed her to no end. He remembered my name a year after touring with him, in a crowd of people, without missing a beat, and asked how my kids were and kissed me on both cheeks when we said goodbye. I turned to my friend and was like, 'Dude, Dio just remembered my name and kissed me on the cheek, fuckin' High 5!!'"
Gary Holt (Exodus, Gitarre):
"What more can be said about Ronnie that hasn't been said by so many others. He was the kindest, most humble metal god I've ever had the pleasure and honor of touring with."
Judas Priest:
"We are filled with great sadness at the terrible news about our friend Ronnie James Dio. Our condolences and love go to Wendy and Ronnie's family. Ronnie was a wonderful man and will be sorely missed."
Slash (Velvet Revolver, ex. Guns N' Roses, Gitarre):
"Ronnie died at 7:45 a.m. this morning, but his music will live for eternity."
Nikki Sixx (Mötley Crüe, Bass):
"Ronnie was one of the kindest souls I have ever met and his talent was beyond inspirational to so many of us. I still have this image of him standing on stage in front of 100,000 belting out 'Man on the Silver Mountain' and remember the shivers it sent up my spine. He will be missed by all of us.
Queensrÿche:
"Ronnie James Dio was undoubtedly one of heavy metal's greatest performers and will continue to influence the world of heavy metal forever. He was certainly a very big influence on Queensrÿche and along the way became a cherished friend too. We will all miss him greatly, but Ronnie will live on every time we raise our metal horns high! The man on the silver mountain will always be our rainbow in the dark."
Joe Di Taranto (Warmachine, Gesang, Gitarre):
"I feel truly blessed to have met him years ago backstage at his show in Toronto. Before I could even introduce myself, Ronnie already knew my name and, to my surprise, was even familar with my music and Warmachine. I could not believe it. Ronnie James Dio, the legend, my idol and one of my biggest childhood inspirations, knew who I was."
Brian Tichy (Pride And Glory, Ozzy Osbourne, Schlagzeug):
"The world is not as cool now... Ronnie made you believe! His amazing talent, charisma and power combined were nothing short of magic! LOOK OUT!"
Danko Jones (Gesang, Gitarre):
"I just heard that Ronnie James Dio died today. This news is very sad. He was the greatest rock singer of all time. I've said it on record many many times. He will be greatly missed by all of rockdom. In 2004, I got to meet Dio and he was so gracious and down to earth, then he got up on stage and schooled everyone."
Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins, Gesang, Gitarre):
"R.I.P. Ronnie James Dio. I only got to meet him once and I can honestly say he was the nicest person I have ever met in music. Ronnie was a true gentleman, and obviously one of the best rock singers there will ever be. What a sad loss today."
Wolf:
"We are very sad this day. We have lost THE greatest, most powerful and biggest voice in hard rock and metal. For Wolf, Ronnie James Dio, was/is a great inspiration and we will always keep his voice alive listening to his music. We all met him on several occations and he was always very nice and took the time to chat about music and the world."
Al Atkins (ex. Judas Priest, Gesang):
"Ye, the incredible has happened. The world today lost one of the greatest vocalists on the planet. Al and the band would like to pass on their condolences to Wendy and the rest of the Dio clan. Ronnie's music will live on forever."
Shawn Drover (Megadeth, Schlagzeug):
"I am at an absolute loss right now upon hearing that Ronnie has passed away. I had the pleasure of touring both Canada and America in 2007 when MEGADETH toured with Heaven & Hell (Black Sabbath in my eyes) and I swear to you he is one of the nicest human beings I have ever met, period. […] I can recall so many times making eye contact with Glen sharing the exact same thought: 'Dude, I can't believe we are hanging with RONNIE JAMES DIO!!!!!'"
Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Schlagzeug):
"Rest in peace, Ronnie James Dio... one of the greatest of all time. Looks like Dime [Pantera], Randy [Rhoads, Ozzy], Cliff [Burton, Metallica] and Bonzo [Led Zeppelin] just scored the ultimate singer. This is one of the saddest days in metal ever."
Ralph Santolla (Obituary, Deicide, Death, Iced Earth, Gitarre):
"There's not a person in metal today that doesn't owe something to Ronnie James Dio. I had the honor to meet him once, and to see him perform many times, including on 'Black and Blue' tour. He seemed to treat everyone he encountered as an equal, but few are his equals.
Scott Ian (Anthrax, Gitarre):
"So many memories of Ronnie. Toured together many times. He always had a kind word and a smile and he LOVED the Yankees. Ronnie was king of the world. Top 3 shows of all time."
David Coverdale (Whitesnake, Deep Purple, Gesang):
"So very sad to hear of Ronnie's passing... My thoughts, prayers and condolence to his family and friends."
Andrea Ferro (Lacuna Coil, Gesang):
"I briefly met Ronnie during a soundcheck in Milan, Italy and he was really kind, not to mention how amazing and magic his voice was."
Sebastian Bach (Skid Row, Gesang):
"Crying right now in remembrance of my hero and friend, Ronnie James Dio. I got to do shows with him and work with him and I loved Dio my whole life."
Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Gesang) :
"Ronnie was a true leader of heavy metal... an icon and a visionary... There will never be another like him. Ronnie gave me wisdom, and showed me great compassion when he was in Elf, all those years ago, when we were on tour together in my time in Deep Purple. He was a beautiful soul, kind, considerate and a wonderful teacher.
Quelle:
zudem muss man sagen das bei RAR mehr Bands spielen als bei RIP. Spätestens nächste Woche wissen wir ob noch Bands folgen oder ob nicht. DIE HOFFNUNG STIRBT ZULETZT 
