dio, ronnie james dio<\/span><\/p> rudy sarzo<\/span><\/p> My favorite Ronnie James\u00a0Dio composition is “Gates of Babylon.”<\/p>\n When I joined Dio\u00a0in 2004, I asked Ronnie if we could add it to our setlist. He told me that they tried playing it previously but he wasn\u2019t happy with how it sounded. So, I asked the band if we could learn it and play it for Ronnie. So we did.<\/p>\n After the song ended he looked at me and said, “Well, I guess the song stays in the set.” We played Gates of Babylon for a few tours and it\u2019s included on the Holy Diver Live<\/em> DVD and record. Truly an unforgettable memory.<\/p>\n tom morello<\/span><\/p> While there are too many great Ronnie James Dio songs to choose from I\u2019m going with \u201cThe Mob Rules.\u201d It\u2019s an absolutely crushing banger of a song \u2014 the riff is an all-timer, the rhythm section is pulverizing and of course Dio\u2019s spectacular, terrifying vocal and lyric make this tune an apex moment in metal.<\/p>\n eddie trunk<\/span><\/p> Rainbow: It has to be “Stargazer.” Epic with a capitol E! All the playing is brilliant and Ronnie’s vocal is ridiculous! On the fade when he’s singing “My eyes are bleeding<\/em>” it always gives me chills. Sad to think three of the musicians on this are no longer with us \u2014 Ronnie, Cozy Powell and Jimmy Bain. Timeless.<\/p>\n Black Sabbath:\u00a0It has\u00a0to be the title track to Heaven and Hell<\/em>. The Dio era was when I was introduced to Sabbath. This album came out when I was in high school. I then went back and heard the Ozzy stuff. A masterpiece in every way!<\/p>\n Dio:\u00a0That has to be the title track to Holy Diver<\/em>. It has it all and, in a way, is similar in some respects to Heaven and Hell<\/em>. Massive riff\u00a0that Dio wrote on bass \u2014 and what a band!<\/p>\n Check out the recent remix for the alternate ending. So cool!<\/p>\n lita ford<\/span><\/p> First of all, let me say I grew up listening to Rainbow Rising<\/em>. My favorite singer (Ronnie James Dio), my favorite guitarist (Ritchie Blackmore) and my favorite drummer (Cozy Powell). This album is off the charts and it got me through some really difficult times while traveling with The Runaways when I was only 18\u00a0years old.<\/p>\n “Stargazer” is a song I listen to now in 2025 and then in 1976, as it never seems to get old. When I warm up my\u00a0voice before a show, I just to sing along with Ronnie James Dio on this song \u2014 his amazing vocal performance helps me to get my rock on\u2019!!<\/p>\n You know when you are warmed up if you can come close to singing along with Ronnie’s badass vocals on “Stargazer!!”<\/p>\n brendon small<\/span><\/p> To me, \u201cSign of The Southern Cross\u201d from Dio-era Sabbath is one of the greatest songs of all time. It\u2019s a beautifully written piece. I love it because it showcases the beautiful dynamic range of Dio\u2019s voice. The heavy and the dramatic meeting the quiet controlled falsetto. Totally brutal. Totally beautiful. Not to be denied.<\/p>\n See photos of the legendary Ronnie James Dio from very early in his career all the way until his untimely passing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Lauryn Schaffner<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRudy Sarzo \u2014 “Gates of Babylon” (Rainbow)<\/h3>\n
Tom Morello \u2014 “The Mob Rules” (Black Sabbath)<\/h3>\n
Eddie Trunk \u2014 “Stargazer” (Rainbow), “Heaven and Hell” (Black Sabbath), “Holy Diver” (Dio)<\/h3>\n
Lita Ford \u2014 “Stargazer” (Rainbow)<\/h3>\n
Brendon Small \u2014 “Sign of the Southern Cross” (Black Sabbath)<\/h3>\n
Ronnie James Dio Through the Years<\/h2>\n