Dio

Dio is an American Heavy Metal band founded by singer Ronnie James Dio (ex-Elf, ex- Rainbow) and drummer Vinny Appice after their departure from Black Sabbath in 1982. They were soon joined by guitarist Vivian Campbell and bassist Jimmy Bain (ex- Rainbow , ex- Thin Lizzy ) and recorded the album Holy Diver , which was released in 1983. For the purposes of the tour, keyboardist Claude Schnell became the fifth member of the band. It was under this line-up that the following two albums, The Last In Line in 1984 and Sacred Heart in 1985 appeared. Due to internal tensions, Dio separates from Vivian Campbell (which will be briefly found at Whitesnake and then sustainably at Def Leppard). He was replaced by Craig Goldy, who took part in Dream Evil in 1987. Two years later, all members (except Dio) left the group. The drummer Simon Wright (ex-AC/DC ), the keyboardist Jens Johansson ( Stratovarius , ex-Yngwie Malmsteen ), bassist Teddy Cook and guitarist Rowan Robertson, who recorded Lock Up The Wolves in 1990 joined the stage. Ronnie James then temporarily ended Dio's activities by returning to Black Sabbath (for the album Dehumanizer), which he left again in 1993. The new version of Dio marks the return of drummer Vinny Appice and the arrival of Tracy G. (guitar), Jeff Pilson (bass, ex-Dokken) and Scott Warren (claviers). Strange Highways (1993) and Angry Machines (1996) leave Fantasy atmospheres for more modern sounds, not always well received. In 1999, there was another change: only Dio and Warren remained, while former members Simon Wright, Craig Goldy and Jimmy Bain returned. The concept-album Magica was born in 2000 and marks the return of the Fantasy aspect. Goldy was replaced in 2001 by guitarist Doug Aldrich (ex- Bad Moon Rising , Whitesnake ), with whom Killing The Dragon (2002) was recorded and who left the band in 2003, Goldy returning once again. That same year, Jimmy Bain left and Jeff Pilson returned (in studio only) before bass player Rudy Sarzo (ex-Ozzy Osbourne, ex- Quiet Riot, ex-Whitesnake) was included for the tour. Master Of The Moon, in 2004, will unfortunately prove to be Dio's tenth and final album. The activities are in fact greatly slowed down with the participation of the singer in Heaven And Hell . Two albums supposed to follow Magica are planned for 2010, but Dio is hospitalized at the end of 2009 and dies on May 16, 2010 of stomach cancer, at the age of 67.
.