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Ronnie Dio diagnosed with cancer

Several days ago it was announced that all Dio’s European tour dates are cancelled and refunds are being issued, with Ronnie himself being in a hospital for unspecified reasons. Today his wife and manager Wendy has released more details:

Ronnie has been diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer. We are starting treatment immediately at the Mayo Clinic. After he kills this dragon, Ronnie will be back on stage, where he belongs, doing what he loves best, performing for his fans.

Long live rock and roll, long live Ronnie James Dio.

Thanks to all the friends and fans from all over the world that have sent well wishes. This has really helped to keep his spirit up.

Thanks to Blabbermouth.net for the info.



86 Comments to “Ronnie Dio diagnosed with cancer”:

  1. 1
    AndreA says:

    Long live rock and roll, long live Ronnie James Dio.

  2. 2
    Morten Overgaard says:

    So sad to hear! Just last saturday at the DP-show my friends and I talked about that we would be definite quests next time Ronnie came to Denmark. It can be said shortly: “Kill The Cancer” (not the king) All the best to Ronnie and his family in a hard time.

  3. 3
    stoffer says:

    Get well soon RJD, have enjoyed all your work since I heard the song LA 59, again, get well 🙂

  4. 4
    NachoDeepPurple says:

    YOU ROCK

  5. 5
    marcinn says:

    This is sad news. But I believe he will kill this dragon, I believe in him….

  6. 6
    Moreblack says:

    Long live to the King!!Isn’t about time to Catch the Rainbow.I’m saving my prayers.

  7. 7
    gregoDIO says:

    TERRIBLE NEW !! GET WELL SOON RONNIE JAMES. BEST WISHES FROM A VENEZUELAN FAN

  8. 8
    Paul Richards says:

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you always.

  9. 9
    scott says:

    if anyone can kill this ‘dragon’ it is ronnie! no one can deny the man has courage and heart. he will be back…better than ever!

  10. 10
    CP says:

    Obviously this is devestating news.I’ve listened to Ronnie for more years than I care to admit,and am saddened by this turn of events. My best to Ronnie and his family during this trying time,and am pulling for him to make a complete recovery.Good luck,Ronnie!

  11. 11
    Jeffs says:

    Poor Ronnie…Let’s hope it’s something that is very treatable!!

  12. 12
    Eyal says:

    In Hebrew we say: Barukh rofe Holim – blessed the one who cures.

    we all wish you the best Ronnie.

    with love from Israel.

  13. 13
    Crimson Ghost says:

    Editors: Wendy is his manager but hasn’t been his wife for some time now.

    I’ve been through my father and brother’s cancer bouts this year and now this… it can be beaten, lets pray so.

  14. 14
    Nikos says:

    This is terrible news! God bless you Ronnie and I hope you make a speedy and full recovery. The world is definitely a better place with people like him in it.

  15. 15
    rik says:

    Dio is a fighter. I look forward to the next tour.

  16. 16
    kraatzy says:

    … so many peaple are beating by this terrible illness (cancer) …

    I and we all hope, that he will recover fast and can come back to sing us a little Rock´N´Roll … 🙂

    Hope to see and hear you in Bremen at the Aladin with “LLRnR” …

    Long Live Ronnie Dio – Get well soon !!!

    *kraatzy*

  17. 17
    Vicente Rojas says:

    Ronnie, be strong. I know you can “kill this dragon”. I send you my best wishes from Gran Canaria (Spain) and I hope see you at stages in brief. A simple fan.

  18. 18
    Bora Cetin says:

    All Turkish Fans wishing to get well Dio.
    You will be back to the stage(s) of the World.
    Best wishes from Istanbul.

  19. 19
    Janez says:

    All the best wishes also from me and my two sons, big Ronnie fans.
    And from all Slovenian fans! We think of you and sending you good vibes!
    You are a fighter, we all know that. Nobody doubts you’ll win this battle!

  20. 20
    david williams says:

    speedy recovery and look forward to seeing you what you do best back on stage.
    prayers and best wishes on your recovery.
    LONG LIVE ROCK AND ROLL

  21. 21
    Sami says:

    Get well soon RJD!! Your legion of fans awaits…

  22. 22
    Lex says:

    GOD SAVE RONNIE!!!!!!!

  23. 23
    Andy Worthington says:

    Ronnie

    Our thoughts and hearts are with you and your family.

  24. 24
    stefan says:

    Ronnie´s a fighter, and I have total confidence he´s gonna slay this dragon called cancer !!! Small by stature, huge by heart and talent…..the man is a true giant among frontmen and a legend in his own right !!! Get well soon Ronnie, looking forward to see you on a stage again real soon…..were you belong…..YOU ROCK !!!

  25. 25
    alexjes says:

    Dear Ronnie, the fans from Czech republic wish you a speedy recovery. Kill all the dragons ! We love you.

  26. 26
    micke says:

    Get well RJD.

  27. 27
    brad says:

    2 books
    Conscious Health by Ron Garner it’s a top award winner. diet will play a huge part in recovery
    and
    The Reconnection by Dr Ron Pearl. it could help instantly
    I haven’t been able to see Ronnie perform live YET. and i very much want to

  28. 28
    Soren says:

    Dear Ronnie!

    Thank you for all the music you´ve given us, and thank you in advance for all the music you´re gonna give us in the future! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones. Beat this thing, and we´ll see you soon!
    I know you can!
    All the best!

  29. 29
    Mirko says:

    He’s hard like rock.

    He sure will be back soon…
    I’m with you Ronnie…

    Long Live Man on the Silver Mountain…

  30. 30
    David McCrory says:

    Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

  31. 31
    vasilis greece says:

    speedy recovery and we are looking forward to seeing you what you do best back on stage.
    prayers and best wishes on your recovery from all over Greece
    LONG LIVE ROCK AND ROLL

  32. 32
    GerAssenNetherlandsAge52 says:

    My number one rockstar is Ian Gillan, but my number two is Ian’s friend Ronnie James Dio !!!!!

    Ronnie, I wish you a lot of strength and a lot of power for a succesful and definite recovery !!!!!!

    All the best for you pow

    Cheers and bottoms up !

  33. 33
    Tim Corbett says:

    Ronnie. Great Man, Great Voice, get well soon.

  34. 34
    gorisek Jörg says:

    Ronnie James Dio,
    we belive in you, God is alway on your side, long live rock n roll, Long live the Mejestic Voice, Long Live Ronnie James Dio

  35. 35
    AndreA says:

    ciao

    _______________________________________________________
    Eddie Trunk

    http://www.eddietrunk.com/index.cfm/pk/view/cd/NAA/cdid/416693/pid/401816

    25-Nov-09Ronnie James Dio update
    11/25/09: Just hung up the phone with both Wendy Dio and Ronnie James Dio himself. Obviously the news was just released about Ronnie having stomach cancer. I was aware of this a number of days ago but did not say anything public until Ronnie’s camp was ready to release the news. As I have said in the past, Ronnie has always been one of my closest friends and biggest supporters over the many years we have worked together doing various things. We have a friendship far beyond just music and he being a musician and me being a host. So I have been in a knot over this news when I was first told about it around a week ago. The results of the many tests he has had were made known yesterday, so now he knows exactly what he is dealing with and will soon find out the course of action. The GREAT news is that it did not spread and is in an early stage! I just hung up with him and he sounded great. The usual RJD, totally commited to “killing the dragon”, and he will!. He is not in pain, sounded great, and was ready to do what he has to do and get back on stage and sing like only he can! It was great to have spent about 20 minutes on the phone with him and hear how positive he was and thankful for all the support from his many fans. He’s already made a few changes to his diet that he said has helped him feel great and admitted his days of having a few drinks are mostl likely behind him. I will share what I can when I can, but know Ronnie is ready to fight and win, and anyone who knows the man knows he will succeed! Lets all continue to keep him in our thoughts and prayers going forward for a speedy recovery. Yes Ronnie is a great singer and icon for the music we love, but he is an even better person and I know he will beat this!

    ET

  36. 36
    Rascal says:

    Ronnie James Dio…….A Rainbow In The Dark

    All The Best Ronnie

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK9uZXYFfr4

  37. 37
    MIKE O'DONNELL says:

    MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. WAITING TO SEE YOU ROCK ONCE AGAIN GOD SPEED

  38. 38
    david nugent says:

    God’s strength to your and your family Ronnie

    DN

  39. 39
    cn says:

    from new yorker to another new yorker:

    RONNIE: knock this scurge on its ass!!

  40. 40
    Sven Freitag says:

    very very sad news. I wish the best for the hoky diver.

  41. 41
    Joanna says:

    Early stages happily. You must recover, Ronnie! Take care.

  42. 42
    Jeffs says:

    Thanks for your Insight Eddie…Please remind him that all of us fans and friends at THS are thinking of him and wishing a speedy recovery:)

  43. 43
    bronxbrendan says:

    ronnie luvd ya since 76 at the beacon kill the dragon diet very important wish you total recovery keep fightin llrr

  44. 44
    Dennis Hanna says:

    God bless you Ronnie. Here’s praying for a speedy recovery.

  45. 45
    AdelDP says:

    Kill the Beast and beat the hell out of it. Its is Heaven and Hell you said it Ronnie so kill the Dragon and Stand up and Shout let it out. You will do it Ronnie and you will rock on the stage once again.

  46. 46
    joe says:

    God bless you, Ronnie ! All the best to you…

  47. 47
    Jeff says:

    Ronnie all our prayers are with you for a quick recovery. I have been listening to you for over 25 years and would like to have you around for at least 25 more. Get well soon. You are a giant among all metal singers, that is why you are atop the suilver mountain.

  48. 48
    james jay says:

    got to workout and watch the diet–especially in the years yonder–better than any medication. good luck to a fantastic talent.

  49. 49
    pavel petrov says:

    KILL THE DRAGON RONNIE!!!KILL IT!!! WE ROCK!!!WE ROCK WITH YOU!!!JUST FROM BULGARIA!

  50. 50
    pavel petrov says:

    HOPE EVERYTHING WILL BE OK AND WE’LL SEE YOU AT STAGE SOON !

  51. 51
    RENO says:

    Get well Ronnie . We are waiting for ya to get back to PA USA .

  52. 52
    Gerard Alberts says:

    +1: Ronnie, the news must have been shocking… I wish you a lot of strength in these difficult times and I hope that you will recover well and soon!

  53. 53
    jlescareno says:

    All the best Dio, I’m sure that you will win this battle. Many strength Ronnie.

  54. 54
    shaun says:

    ronnie blessed us with the greatest rock show seen in australia last year with sabbath all us aussies are wishing him the best.he is ledgendary.

  55. 55
    Lajos says:

    Hi Ronnie!
    Comparing to this Ritchie was quite easy to deal with ? 🙂
    Get well soon….the mob need you….
    and as always…THE MOB RULLES!!!!

    Cheers your old STARGAZER 😉

  56. 56
    Mark Bee says:

    The 4 times I have seen Dio in Rainbow, Sabbath, & solo, he always gives his best. Most memorable moment was when he opened for DP and he made a point to stop and shake hands with a fathers’ young son in the front row. The kid couldn’t be more than 7 years old, and was thrilled that Dio stopped to acknowledge him.

    He better get well or I’ll kick his butt.

  57. 57
    gustavo says:

    From Argentina: Aguante Ronnie!!!!!!!

  58. 58
    Alex says:

    In the name if all Dio’s fans in Israel!
    Wish you well.
    We’ll pray for your.

  59. 59
    Anke & Roland says:

    Hope you get well very soon and wish you all the best, Ronnie!
    Sind us a song, you´re THE singer!!! We love you!!!

  60. 60
    purplepriest1965 says:

    Indeed, medication is a wrong turn……

    Live healthy by working out, drinking gallons of water and eating right stuff, adding supplements……

  61. 61
    Tracy Heyder (aka Zero the Hero) says:

    Well hopefully he gained some true spiritual connection to the Man Up Stairs when he collaborated with Kerry Livgren and did the songs “Living for the King” and “The Mask of the Great Deceiver”. I don’t think I can Stomach being without DIO in the Purple Circle of my music intrest and once the ‘Big C’ is involved, the Man Upstairs is the best friend to have.

    Here today gone tomorrow, but at least the music will live on no matter which one our heroes goes out. I believe he will recover from this. He seemed to live somewhat of a healthy life and is obviously in pretty good shape for his age.

    Come on Ronnie…”Kick the Dragon in your gut, till it flies out of your butt”.

    Cheers

  62. 62
    Gary says:

    Get well soon, Ronnie.
    Your presence in the stage is still required 🙂

  63. 63
    DAWG says:

    CALM DOWN PRIEST.LET THE SPECIALISTS TAKE CARE OF ALL THAT. GODSPEED RONNIE. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.

  64. 64
    Christopher Kiyo Pugliese says:

    Ronnie take all the time you need to get well. We all know this isnt your time. We are all still lookin foward to the Magica’s and one more Sabbath Album as i’m sure you are too.

    Also after meeting you in person this August I wish to see you again to give you a copy of my comic based on your childhood.

    This “Dragon” doesn’t stand a chance against a legend

    \m/\m/ Long Live Dio

  65. 65
    Ivan says:

    Get well, Ronnie!
    You are a true legend!

  66. 66
    Maria says:

    Wish you well.
    Long live Ronnie James!!!

  67. 67
    gabriel says:

    ronnie is roonie this trouble is nothing for th gratest singer

  68. 68
    deeplypurple says:

    Get well soon Ronnie, and retake your place as the finest, most distinctive voiced singer in heavy rock! (Sorry Ian!)

  69. 69
    Patrick says:

    Courage Ronnie, tu vaincras !
    Reviens nous vite !

  70. 70
    Woodruff P. Hoppinstopp says:

    We are all waiting for the encore from the dragon slayer. We the people of the Purple nation of fans from around the world are pulling for Ronnie.

  71. 71
    WILLY says:

    All the best for you Ronnie.
    Get well soon.
    The “Dragon” can stand a chance against “DIO”…
    We all Argentine fans wish you well .

  72. 72
    byron says:

    Hold on Ronnie and if you can’t go back to stage-well it’does’nt matter.Taking care of you is more important
    Long Live Ronnie

  73. 73
    Jack11 says:

    Get back Rockin,Ronnie

  74. 74
    Rick says:

    The very first concert I ever went to had a warm up band called Elf. It was many years later that I learned Ronnie was the singer in that band. He has always been a class act everywhere has has been and I have always enjoyed the concert he has put on or been a part of (Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and of course his own solo career). A real genuine class act. Best of luck on your recovery.

  75. 75
    lisandro says:

    from argentina we wish you well and we’re sure you would beat cancer
    we will see you in the south several more times

    long live rock and roll, long live RJD

  76. 76
    alpha says:

    The man on the silver mountain will make it…!!!

    God bless you Ron

  77. 77
    George Fotis says:

    I’m very saddended by this news,Dio’s one of the best artists in music. His song writing and lyrics are so good, i have learn’t a lot of things from his writing such as don’t trust people as you really don’t know who they are, etc. Don’t give to much away etc, his my inspiration. His performance a few years ago in Melbourne was spectacular , he gave 100% he was the highlight, and what a great voice for his age.
    He and Cozy were at each other’s throats both very strong charactors , i only hope everything goes well for him.

  78. 78
    fernando says:

    querido ronnie : recien termino de leer esta terrible y espantosa noticia , solo te deseo desde argentina toda la fuerza del mundo para que superes esta etapa que te toca vivir por que solo sera una etapa nada mas , estoy seguro que con tu grandeza como persona tu humildad y tu animo superaras esto y te volvere a ver pronto arriba de un escenario como fue este año con h&h , donde mostraste toda la humildad de los grandes … te envio un fuerte abrazo a vos y a tu flia. se que pronto oiremos que has vencido este mal y no olvides que en argentina te amamos !!!! LONG LIVE RONNIE JAMES DIO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    REZAREMOS POR TU ESTADO DE SALUD .

    FERNANDO – BS.AS. ARGENTINA .

  79. 79
    Eric says:

    Ronnie, first time I heard you sing was in the Summer of 1978. The album was On Stage and I remember well it was during the late 70’s rock recession that your voice and lyrics just struck me. Wasn’t too long after that and I rushed to buy all former Rainbow albums. When I heard Rainbow Rising I was totally shocked and awed..!! Been a follower ever since (that totals more 30 years..!). Now I hear about the difficult times ahead of you and it makes me remember how much your lyrics and your music have helped me overcome the hardships of life during all these years past.
    Ronnie, there’s only one thing that you were wrong at all this time: ‘Lonely is NOT the word’… our thoughts are with you and we wish you well…!!!

  80. 80
    ytkon says:

    Malaysia Fans would like to wish Ronnie speedy recover. We also hope to see you to perform here !!

  81. 81
    Tom says:

    I agree with most everyone here on their wishes et al. However, I just wanted to let you know that this is your great gig Ronnie. This time it’s up to you to live up to your/our credo. Inside every singer there’s always a preacher somehow and the moment of truth has come for you Ronnie. God amidst soon you will performing once again!
    Until that day comes: Bless you Ronnie, we LOVE you…

  82. 82
    Fernando says:

    It has been said I do not think I can add something, but if my heart I pray that you go through this and to see him again, “dwarf fucking rock.
    A hug and strength from Viña del Mar (Chile).

  83. 83
    ISmellSmoke says:

    GOD BLESS THE KING!!!
    LONG LIVE… THE KING!!!

    Don’t you dare, brother, don’t you dare to give up…
    I still haven’t seen you LIVE…
    Love and prayers from Bosnia
    YOU ROCK

    Almir

  84. 84
    Jason says:

    To the king of Rock and Roll.
    Get well soon

  85. 85
    pete t says:

    RJD rules have faith RONNIE.

  86. 86
    rici says:

    You are the best and everybody want you back!!!!

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