Ronnie James Dio R.I.P. (3)

IAN GILLAN: "My dear friend Ronnie, departed but not gone. Resting peacefully (for a while) but never forgotten. I've had a sackful of mail since your passing; a sharing of grief and sorrow. We all remember your huge voice, of course - my ears are still ringing: Your wicked humour and sense of decency: The utter professionalism and personality that inspired so much respect from your friends in music. The list goes on but the quality that stands out above all others is your enduring generosity. The one thing that we all treasure, the gift you gave us was your kindness. We all agree you were the kindest man we ever knew. Catch up later, mate."

STEVE MORSE: "Ronnie Dio was a real musician. He was a guy that everybody liked, and always sang loud, in tune, and strong, with that famous voice. I watched him patiently deal with fans at the stage door, and patiently deal with me when I was lucky enough to back him up on our orchestra tour. We backed him up doing a couple of his tunes, and he was tactful and precise with his constructive comments. He could tell if I played one note wrong. I recall him telling me that he used to play trumpet, which might explain his very good ears. Everybody that ever met him will miss him, as well as anybody who ever heard him sing."