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Tribute to Ronnie James Dio are pouring in. The following is a sampling of some of them:

David Ellefson (MEGADETH): "He was truly one of the 'good guys' in this business and a consummate pro, someone we can all take a cue and learn from. We are all fans of his and he did many great things for Megadeth and its members, starting starting as far back as his Dream Evil North American tour in which we were the support band during the So Far, So Good...So What tour. I'm very thankful to have gotten to know and tour with him in both Megadeth and with Tim "Ripper" Owens. Wendy Dio looked after Ripper's European tour where we played several shows with HEAVEN & HELL and we got to have many good moments with Ronnie during that tour. He is missed by us all. Our prayers go out to him and his family at this time. Long Live Ronnie James Dio."

Danko Jones: "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. We all have the records: Heaven & Hell, Mob Rules, Holy Diver, Last In Line, Dream Evil, Rainbow Rising, Long Live Rock ’N' Roll. I can’t listen to them today because it’s too hard, but tomorrow I will crank these up. R.I.P. Ronnie James Dio."

Tairrie B. (MY RUIN): "Just read that Ronnie James Dio has passed away. It's another sad day in metal with the loss of one more rock God and true talent taken too early. May he join the other legends in heaven while is voice burns bright like a rainbow in the dark with the music he left behind. Gone but will never be forgotten."

Stu Block (INTO ETERNITY): I'm still taking in the fact that we have lost yet ANOTHER timeless metal musician. R.I.P., Ronnie James Dio. A life that was lived to the fullest and also influenced thousands and thousands of musicians. My heart goes out to his family and friends. Cancer is a battle for many people these days; the world is losing many talented,loving and wonderful people. Do what you can to prevent and/or help find a cure. Stay healthy, my friends!"

Joel Gausten (MISFITS): "50+ years of music. The voice to the soundtrack of generations has passed. There will never be another. RIP Ronnie James Dio."

Robb Flynn (Machine Head): "Dio was a true gentleman.

Machine Head had the opportunity to open for Heaven & Hell in May of 2007, and having never met or toured with Ronnie James Dio, it was a HUGE honor for all of us.

On the first night of the tour in Phoenix, Arizona we celebrated, uh, quite heavily, and though the Dio dressing was heavily fortified with an army of security, I somehow managed to bullshit my way in and say hello. He had no idea who I was, but acted like we were old friends. After that, he always made a point to poke his head in our dressing room and say 'hi,' or give Dave (McClain / drums) shit about 'his San Antonio Spurs choking,' or sometimes just to give us a $100-dollar bottle of wine they were going leave in their dressing room. All class.

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!!

When my parents moved to Fremont, California as I began the seventh grade, it was a pretty lonely time for me. I became friends with a girl named Lori Kibby who played me the first heavy metal record I would ever hear. It was Black Sabbath's Heaven and Hell. It terrified me, enthralled me, captured me entirely. The imagery, the name, the title, it made me want to listen over and over and over again, in particular the songs 'Heaven and Hell', 'Children Of The Sea' and 'Die Young'. My first garage band, (the awesomely-named INQUISITOR) covered 'Stand Up And Shout'.

Would I have found metal without him? Maybe. But man, I feel so very fortunate to have had Ronnie James Dio as my first guide into the awesome world of metal.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything you've done for music, Ronnie. Horns."