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Ex-RAINBOW Frontman DOOGIE WHITE: DIO Was One Of The Greatest Singers I Ever Heard

May 18, 2010

Scottish rock vocalist Doogie White (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, RAINBOW, CORNERSTONE, TANK) has released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW):

"A very great man lost his life [on Sunday].

"Ronnie James Dio was one of, if not the greatest singer I ever heard.

"I remember trembling when I heard 'Rainbow Rising', such was the passion and energy not only from the band and Ritchie's [Blackmore] guitar but from that voice that shone above all else. He was also a jolly decent chap who had time for all fans come rain, wind or shine.

"I first met Ronnie 10 years or so ago and he said, 'Ah! So you are Doogie, I know who you are, but never knew what you looked like. Come in, son and have a glass of wine. Is red okay?' This was backstage at the Wembley Arena. He dedicated 'Man On The Silver Mountain' to me that night, saying 'To my new friend, Doogie. You may have sung it, but I sang it first.'

"We met a few times after that and discussed his excitement at doing the TENACIOUS D movie and the loss of his thumb in the bizzare gardening accident. We agreed gardening was the new RnR.

"I had a tremendous affection for the man. He was kind, considerate and wonderful fun.

"My thoughts at this time go out to Wendy [Ronnie's wife/manager] and to the extended Dio family. You do know how much he was and is loved, for his music, his singing, his humanity.

"Catch the rainbow... Ronnie... Catch the rainbow."

Video footage of Doogie White performing the song "Long Live Rock And Roll" as a member of RAINBOW in 1995 in Dusseldorf, Germany can be viewed below.

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