LIT Bassist Pays Tribute To RONNIE JAMES DIO

May 21, 2010

Bassist Kevin Baldes of the Orange County rock band LIT has released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW):

"Anybody who has ever met Ronnie James Dio will tell you, without a doubt, he was the nicest guy in rock n' roll. And now, let me be yet one more person to confirm this statement.

"Ronnie James Dio was not only a rock star, he was a legend. However, these labels and these roles never took precedent over who he really was at the core... and that was a warm, decent, gracious human being.

"Ronnie was a glowing example of kindness, not only for entertainers and musicians to learn from, but a lesson for all people in general. And when it came to music, it seems this was his calling from day one. A calling to live music. To feel music. And most importantly, to share music. Share it with the masses. And Mr. Dio did just that. He did it through his own brand of metal and he did it with an unwavering passion and conviction that came from the purest place in his heart.

"Dio forged his own path and it was a path from which he never strayed.

"On May 16th, music lost a magical voice. But more so, the world lost a magical person with a beautiful heart. For certain, there will never be another like him.

"Ronnie James Dio was, and always will be, the godfather of heavy metal. And I was, and always will always be, fortunate to have known him.

"You will be truly missed."

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