Ex-VICIOUS RUMORS Singer RONNIE STIXX: DIO 'Has Now Truly Earned His Wings Of Steel In Heaven'

BLOOD REDSKIES/ex-VICIOUS RUMORS vocalist Ronnie Stixx has released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW):

"It has taking me a few days to take in the death of my hero...

"When I heard he had cancer, I said to myself, 'he is going to beat this,' and when I heard he passed, I was crushed.

"When I heard the news of his passing on Sunday morning, I canceled a gig that I had booked that same night with my BLACK SABBATH/DIO tribute MOB RULES.

"There are just no words any one can say to ease the pain of this loss.

"Ronnie James Dio took us on a journey deep with our minds and soul... with a voice of an angel that no else has ever done. And has given us the sign of things metal — 'the mighty metal horns.'

"Ronnie has now truly earned his wings of steel in heaven. There is only thing one can say about Ronnie Jame Dio — long live the king of rock 'n' roll.

"He will forever be our rainbow in the dark."