Talk Back

Last issue we kicked 2010 off with a new feature to our magazine called TALKBACK where each month we will talk about a music related topic and then ask for your feedback by having you send in your E-mails, some of which we will then print in a future issue of Chaotic Riff's Magazine...Last month we talked about Tribute bands...This month's topic is that of legendary Metal Singer:  Ronnie James Dio.

 Ronnie James Dio deserves to have the title legend attached to his name for

several reasons......First of all there's the fact that he's been a professional musician for almost 40 years now and remained quite successful at that which is really impressive in today's world of Johnny come lately and flavor of the month artist.

 Last November Ronnie and his Wife/Manager Wendy Dio announced that Ronnie was

diagnosed with Stomach cancer...and at the time of this writing it's my understanding that he's currently being treated....Let's all pray that Ronnie will beat the Ugly Cancer...............being the man that Ronnie James Dio is I'm betting he'll come out on the winning end of what must be the toughest battle of his life.

Like most people, I first became aware of Ronnie James Dio back in 1980 when he did what most people thought was impossible at the time which was being able to replace Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath.............While both Ronnie and Ozzy are different types of Singer and both deserve to be respected for their talent there's no denying that Black Sabbath was able to soldier on with Heaven & Hell and The Mob

Rules because of what a powerful and dynamic frontman/Singer/Songwriter/and performer that Ronnie James Dio is.  Of course after leaving Sabbath in 1983 Dio went solo and released his powerful, debut solo album from Holy Diver from his new band Dio.  Ronnie James Dio has also worked with some amazing Guitar Players

throughout his career...Starting with Ritchie Blackmoore, Tony Iommi, to Vivian Campbell, and Craig Goldy to name just a few............Today in 2010 Dio is fighting Cancer and fronting Heaven & Hell which is in my eyes Black Sabbath who was forced to change their name because of legal reasons.  In doing research for this peace here's a few interesting facts I learned.................On November 15, 1988 Ronnie James Dio was honored by having his home town name a street after him Dio Way and then in 2004 Ronnie was inducted into the Cortland City School Hall Of Fame which is the school he graduated from in 1960.  Also Ronnie started going by the name Ronnie James Dio professionally in 1961 after mafia member Johnny Dio.

So here's what we want to know from you?

1. What does Ronnie James Dio mean to you?  Or do you have a special story about Ronnie you'd like to share with us?

2. What is your favorite album that Ronnie James Dio has recorded?

3. Of all the band's Ronnie has been which do you feel he's made the best music with?  Elf? , Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio, or Heaven & Hell