Rockers Send Their R.i.p.s To Ronnie James Dio

Tributes from heavy rock renegades continue to pour in for RONNIE JAMES DIO.

The former Dio, Rainbow and Heaven & Hell frontman lost his battle with stomach cancer and heavy rock has taken a moment to remember the fallen star.

Punk rock icon Henry Rollins paid tribute to the rocker by playing “All Dio all night” at his South Dakota spoken word concert.

In a post on his website, Rollins writes, “What a voice, what a loss… The metal world is stunned, I am sure. Ronnie James Dio, one of the greatest singers ever.”

And Anthrax frontman Joey Belladonna has issued a statement regarding the tragic news.

He says, “Ronnie was a big inspiration, influence and dear friend of mine. He was a true gentleman and kind hearted individual. He always would go out of his way to make you feel welcome and important. Without a doubt he was one of the best… I will truly miss him.”

Meanwhile, rocker Lizzy Borden reveals he often watched Dio perform when his namesake band toured with him.

He explains, “I would always be in the audience after our show watching the master at work, and he was always perfect.

“I’ve seen Ronnie perform many times and am grateful that I had the opportunity to be on the side of the stage at the last Heaven & Hell show in California. Ronnie’s voice was so loud, so powerful and pitch-perfect, it was truly an amazing thing to witness.

“We recorded our version of (Dio’s Rainbow song) Long Live Rock And Roll way back on our first EP and we still close our show with it most nights.

“There will never be another like him; Ronnie was a master of his trade, a true original and every time I flash those horns, I will be thinking of the man on the silver mountain, Ronnie James Dio.”

And former Rainbow star Greg Smith admits he’ll be struggling with the death of his idol for some time.

Smith and Dio were never bandmates in Rainbow - but they did become friends.

He says, “I have lost someone who I looked up to as a teenager and that person became my good friend. I shared many laughs, stories, drinks and good times with him on and off the road.

“Ronnie, I will miss you terribly and always think fondly of the times we spent together and of your tremendous talent.”