It was a sweltering summer day in Columbia, Maryland. The sky was streaked with grey as Jon and I filed into Meriwether Post Pavilion to see Heaven and Hell. The stage looked like the altar of an ancient cathedral. The lights went down, and a five-foot tall man appeared onstage. He ran to the microphone and started to sing, “SING US A SONG, YOU’RE A SINGER!” At age 65, Ronnie James Dio could still sing most singers under the table. We marveled at his ability.
“He’s even tinier in person!” Jon said. “Where does that voice come from?”
“I don’t know man. He’s insane.”
It is a testament to Dio’s talent that Heaven and Hell never felt like a nostalgia show. They played the old stuff sure, but the highlight of the night was the new song, “The Devil Cried.” Ronnie introduced it with the classy sophistication of a big band crooner.
“All right you guys, this song is called ‘The Devil Cried.’ I hope you all enjoy it.”
A split second later, he was throwing up the devil horns and summoning notes from the depth of his soul. He had thrown up those horns thousands of times, but he never seemed to get tired of raising them high. The people paid to see Ronnie James Dio, and did all he could to live up to their expectations.
Dio’s sword and sorcery lyrics and over the top theatrics may seem silly to outsiders, but they had their purpose. Like many metal performers, Dio believed that if you paid money to see him in concert, you deserved a show. You could see the money from ticket sales onstage as he fought mechanical dragons and literally raised the devil from the bowels of hell.
Dio’s musical talent was phenomenal, his live show was over the top, but Ronnie James Dio should be remembered as one of heavy metal’s greatest ambassadors. He never took himself too seriously, singing with Pat Boone on his 1996 album In a Metal Mood and making a cameo in Tenacious D’s The Pick of Destiny. Although his lyrics could be pretentious, his interviews were honest and conversational.
Dio was also well known for his generosity. In 1985, he organized Stars, heavy metal’s answer to “We Are the World.” He extended his generosity to fans, always taking the time to talk with them and sign autographs.
Ronnie James Dio was the embodiment of heavy metal music. When he stepped onstage, he became ten feet tall; the star of the masquerade. I am thankful that I got to see him on that hot June afternoon.
Rest in peace, Ronnie. Ride the tiger.
*raises devil horns*