Legendary singer RONNIE JAMES DIO (BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN & HELL, RAINBOW) lost his battle with stomach cancer today (May 16th) at 7:45 AM at the age of 67:

Members of TWISTED SISTER, IMMORTAL, AL ATKINS, REDEMPTION, CATHOLICON have offered up their thoughts below:

TWISTED SISTER: "The members of Twisted Sister along with millions of metal fans around the world mourn the death of our friend Ronnie James Dio. Ronnie not only was a giant in the world wide metal scene, but he was also one of the nicest people you would ever want to meet. Beginning in 1983 when we first toured with Ronnie in Canada, and continuing over the last 7 years when we played dozens of festivals around the world, Ronnie was one of the most supportive and gracious members of the music community. Our thoughts and prayers are with Wendy and Ronnie's family."

IMMORTAL: "Today is a heavy day, as we mourn the passing of the mighty Ronnie James Dio."

AL ATKINS (ex-JUDAS PRIEST): "Yes 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. Rest in peace Ronnie. God bless."

CATHOLICON's Blasphyre: "What started off as a great Sunday turned horrible as soon as I turned on my computer. The internet was rife with a false rumor of Ronnie James Dio's death yesterday, which I thankfully got to the bottom of and ignored; only to find out that he did in fact pass away the very next day around 7:45 AM this morning. Dio and Tony Martin were what made me love Black Sabbath (never as big of a fan of the Oz man, sorry!); and Dio was by far the best lyricist and had the best stage presence. I never got to see him with Sabbath or Heaven & Hell (which I truly consider to be the real Black Sabbath); but I count myself lucky to have at least seen him with DIO in the 1990's and got to hear him sing Rainbow in the Dark and Evilution at least once live. This sucks. Horrible news. Dio was the coolest and most down to earth of the Black Sabbath vocalists. Not pompous or brain dead or trying to turn himself into a household brand name like his predecessor (sorry again, Ozzy fans), and he was supremely talented in every respect. This just fucking sucks. What can people do but keep making music in his honor. Rest in Peace, Ronnie."

REDEMPTION's Nick van Dyk: "I lost a musical hero today, and the news has hit me harder than I thought it would. Ronnie James Dio was one of the first concerts I saw, and Holy Diver one of the first records I bought once I started liking this thing called "heavy metal." Over the years, I have seen him perform more than anyone else (with the exception of my friends in DREAM THEATER, given our tour together!) and the past several times I've seen him with Black Sabbath have been truly phenomenal.

I was hoping that Ronnie would be able to perform a guest vocal on a future Redemption CD, and the vocal line I had in mind for him was an expression of triumph over cancer. Obviously, this takes on a horrible irony now. And given my own diagnosis, obviously I'm particularly attuned to what Ronnie endured.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Ronnie's family and friends. The world of heavy metal has lost its voice. Rest in peace, Ronnie."