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Ex-DEEP PURPLE Keyboardist JON LORD: DIO's 'Voice Was An Instrument Of Power And Of Beauty'

May 18, 2010

Former DEEP PURPLE keyboardist Jon Lordhas released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW):

"I would like, along with my wife and daughters, to express my sadness at the passing of Ronnie Dio.

"[Ronnie was] a friend of many years standing and a truly delightful man. His voice was an instrument of power and of beauty, and was a seminal influence in rock music. His loss is even more devastating when considering how much more he would have had to offer us.

"My heart goes out to dear Wendy [Ronnie's wife/manager], and my thoughts are also with Roger [Glover, DEEP PURPLE bassist] and Ritchie [Blackmore, ex-DEEP PURPLE/RAINBOW guitarist], who were so close to him for so long.

"I will always cherish the memories of those remarkable nights at The Royal Albert Hall in September 1999 when, sitting on the stage with all the massed musicians of DEEP PURPLE, the London Symphony Orchestra et al, Ronnie sang Roger's lovely song 'Sitting in a Dream' and brought us smiles and tears, and goosebumps as big as they come.

"I shall forever connect that song with that moment and with Ronnie.

"Rest in peace, my friend."

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