CARMINE APPICE Pays Tribute To RONNIE JAMES DIO - "The Best Heavy Metal Singer To Ever Live"
May 20, 2010, 14 years ago
Drummer Carmine Appice (OZZY OSBOURNE, VANILLA FUDGE, TED NUGENT) has issued the following statement paying tribute to legendary vocalist Ronnie James Dio:
"I've known Ronnie since his days with RAINBOW. He was the best heavy metal singer to ever live. He had so much power in his voice it was so intense. He wrote great metal anthems.I really got to know him well when my brother [Vinny Appice] started working with him in BLACK SABBATH, then DIO. He was part of our family, coming to family functions for holidays, weddings etc. He even came to my bachelor party and wedding in 1983. He was friends with my kids; he was family.
We spent all day Saturday (May 15th) at the hospital. It was sad to see him like that. He was truly loved by millions and by all the people he worked with. All his close friends were around him at this time. Again, truly loved by all his friends; amazing love from all.
It is hard to believe he is gone. His spirit of life will live on in his music and we will never forget Ronnie James Dio, the great heavy metal singer, a friend for years and a brother to my brother Vinny. I've sent my sympathies out to Wendy and Ronnie's family, as well as my brother Vinny, along with Geezer and Tony.
Ronnie, we love you bro. 'You will be missed' is an understatement!"
