Today would have been Dio’s 75th birthday. To celebrate this date I will list my Top 10 songs featuring the late great Ronnie James Dio.
10) Hear N Aid – We’re Stars. Not the greatest song, but it was Dio’s baby. It was a collaboration of fellow metal artists, and raised millions for aid in Africa.
9) Elf-Driftin’. Dio does Queen before Queen. Enough said.
8) Dio- Straight Through The Heart. The first time I heard squealies, long before they became annoying. The drumming is awesome, the stops and starts are cool, and Dio’s growling screams are classic.
7) Dio-The Last In Line. I remember this video the first time I saw it like it was yesterday. Awesome. We are coming………HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOME.
6) Black Sabbath – Heaven And Hell. It goes on, and on, and on, Heaven and Hell.
5) Black Sabbath – I. Whether this was played by Sabbath or Heaven and Hell, I always thought this was one of the best of Ronnie’s later songs.
4) Black Sabbath – Neon Knights. I think I’ll listen to this again and again. Again and again. Agaaaain.
3) Dio – Holy Diver. You’ve been down too long in the midnight sea. (Since Dio’s death, I most certainly have been.) Oh what’s becoming of me.
2) Rainbow – Man On The Silver Mountain. My favourite Rainbow song. By a long shot. Ritchie Blackmore and Dio. That’s not even fair.
1) Black Sabbath – Sign Of The Southern Cross – This song for me perfectly demonstrates the whole Dio/Sabbath collaboration. Mellow acoustic strings mixed with whispering Dio begin the song off, then……BAMMM. It kicks you right in the crotch. Wicked guitars, pounding drums and DIO BABY, DIO. Amazing song.
There are roughly 100 songs that should also be on this list. Just know I had a tough time whittling it down. I could have put all the songs on either Dio/Sabbath or the first 2 Dio albums and called it a day. I wanted to mix it up though and include all eras of his music.
R.I.P. Ronnie. We miss you dude.
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