Ronnie James Dio diagnosed with cancer

Kerrang! is sad to learn that Ronnie James Dio (pictured second right with Heaven And Hell) has been diagnosed with stomach cancer.

His wife Wendy issued the following statement to Blabbermouth:

"Ronnie has been diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer. We are starting treatment immediately at the Mayo Clinic. After he kills this dragon, Ronnie will be back on stage, where he belongs, doing what he loves best, performing for his fans.

"Long live rock and roll, long live Ronnie James Dio.

"Thanks to all the friends and fans from all over the world that have sent well wishes. This has really helped to keep his spirit up."

Dio, 67, was set to kick off his solo tour on November 21 in Glasgow, but all dates were cancelled due to illness.

Everyone at Kerrang! wish him a speedy recovery.

Posted by Simon at 10:23PM | November 25, 2009

Fuuccckkk thats bad!
He's such a legend this is such sad news! Hope you get better Dio!

Posted by Emz | November 25, 2009 10:48 PM | Reply to this

Thinking positive. Get Well Ronnie and Beat this Bastard.

Posted by Patti Wells | November 26, 2009 12:05 AM | Reply to this

I'm so sorry to hear this news - Dio is one of my all time favourites

Get well soon man - you are in my thoughts xx

Posted by Jill | November 26, 2009 1:07 AM | Reply to this

Nooo this isn't right!

Dio is a god amongst men, they aren't supposed to get cancer, they arent supposed to die, they are immortal

No this is the worst news I've heard in a long time!

I wish him all my best wishes for a speedy recovery

I'l be thinking of you Dio, you can kill this dragon!

Posted by Bennathon | November 26, 2009 1:19 AM | Reply to this

Damn, thats terrible news.

Dio is a rock legend and it would be awful to lose such an iconic figure.

Wish him all best and a speedy recovery.

Posted by JoNnY | November 26, 2009 1:40 AM | Reply to this

Get well soon!!!

Posted by Izzy from San Jo | November 26, 2009 2:52 AM | Reply to this

What a shame i saw heaven and hell live at sonisphere and they were amazing! a true performer, wishs go out to the family xxxx

Posted by Gareth Berry | November 26, 2009 3:56 AM | Reply to this

What a shame i saw heaven and hell live at sonisphere and they were amazing! a true performer, wishs go out to the family xxxx

Posted by Gareth Berry | November 26, 2009 3:56 AM | Reply to this

What a shame i saw heaven and hell live at sonisphere and they were amazing! a true performer, wishs go out to the family xxxx get well soon DIO!

Posted by Gareth Berry | November 26, 2009 3:57 AM | Reply to this

What a shame i saw heaven and hell live at sonisphere and they were amazing! a true performer, wishs go out to the family xxxx get well soon DIO!

Posted by Gareth Berry | November 26, 2009 3:57 AM | Reply to this

Get well soon Dio.

Posted by Daniel | November 26, 2009 8:39 AM | Reply to this

DIO! DIO! DIO!...all your fans past and present are chanting this. A true legend. Have a very speedy recovery.

Posted by JB | November 26, 2009 8:46 AM | Reply to this

Good luck mate, get well soon

Posted by Mark | November 26, 2009 10:13 AM | Reply to this

Get well soon Ronnie

Posted by Paula | November 26, 2009 10:30 AM | Reply to this

Get well soon Dio. I know you can beat this.

Posted by Ross | November 26, 2009 10:53 AM | Reply to this

Larga vida al rock'n'roll, larga vida al Dio. Recuperate pronto!!

Posted by mrsour | November 26, 2009 11:15 AM | Reply to this

Larga vida al rock'n'roll, larga vida a Dio. Recuperate pronto!!

Posted by mrsour | November 26, 2009 11:15 AM | Reply to this

Larga vida al rock'n'roll, larga vida a Dio. Recuperate pronto!!

Posted by mrsour | November 26, 2009 11:15 AM | Reply to this

get well soon man, you can kill this dragon

Posted by Álvaro Rivera | November 26, 2009 6:11 PM | Reply to this

get well soon man, you can kill this dragon

Posted by Álvaro Rivera | November 26, 2009 6:13 PM | Reply to this

This just isn't right
how can such a legend get cancer
this is totally staraling :(

Get well soon Ronnie
hope you beat this curse

Posted by jamie | November 26, 2009 6:42 PM | Reply to this

kerrang! if you dont put something in next weeks about his history you can fuck off else where with your teen shit, he is the legend of pretty much music in my eyes, once he's dead, we're all fucked. OZZY deserves the cancer not fucking him, now if there's nothing in about his history its shit, youd rather review fucking metro station or my passion the shit your 12 year old fans listen to, grow some balls K! fuck them, bring the old metal back instead of tacky emo shit

Posted by Ryan | November 26, 2009 8:54 PM | Reply to this

Posted by Ryan | November 26, 2009 8:55 PM | Reply to this

Posted by Ryan | November 26, 2009 9:08 PM | Reply to this

Sorry to hear the news about Ronnie. Had family struck by cancer. Hope the Docs get it early and you make a full recovery.

Posted by Anthony | November 27, 2009 8:08 AM | Reply to this

Best wishes to Ronnie. And Ryan, for fuck sake WISE UP.

Posted by stothed | November 27, 2009 12:07 PM | Reply to this

Even if you don't like someone else, it's very selfish to wish cancer upon them. Also bare in mind that everyone has their own musical tastes and yours are not superior to others. So keep your mouth shut.

Posted by Ben | November 27, 2009 2:00 PM | Reply to this

Not a fan on his work, however the is a total Metal Legend.

Get well soon Dio

Posted by Nik | November 27, 2009 3:23 PM | Reply to this

Get well soon Ronnie. You are a legend and your cancer dragon shall be slain.

You'll never walk alone.
N.

Posted by Nigel Fortune | November 27, 2009 5:16 PM | Reply to this

Get well soon Ronnie. You are a legend and your cancer dragon shall be slain.

You'll never walk alone.
N.

Posted by Nigel Fortune | November 27, 2009 5:17 PM | Reply to this

Get well soon Ronnie. You are a legend and your cancer dragon shall be slain.

You'll never walk alone.
N.

Posted by Nigel Fortune | November 27, 2009 5:17 PM | Reply to this

Get well soon Ronnie. You are a legend and your cancer dragon shall be slain.

You'll never walk alone.
N.

Posted by Nigel Fortune | November 27, 2009 5:19 PM | Reply to this

Get well ronnie
where all here for you!
You will never be beaten by the dragon that is cancer!

Long live rock and roll
All the best
xx

Posted by Danii M | November 27, 2009 9:08 PM | Reply to this

Get well ronnie
where all here for you!
You will never be beaten by the dragon that is cancer!

Long live rock and roll
All the best
xx

Posted by Danii M | November 27, 2009 9:09 PM | Reply to this

Get well ronnie
where all here for you!
You will never be beaten by the dragon that is cancer!

Long live rock and roll
All the best
xx

Posted by Danii M | November 27, 2009 9:09 PM | Reply to this

Cancer sucks
DIO rules

If i was cancer id be scared shitless
Dio will unleash the fury on cancer
Cancer will go to hell
where the devil will bend it over and treat it like his bitch
the devil and DIO are best friends
DIO Forever

Posted by Lee | November 28, 2009 2:04 AM | Reply to this

no way !! ... my heart sunk when i saw this !! ..

FOREVER DIO !!

Posted by Jaymz Hughes | November 28, 2009 12:17 PM | Reply to this

no way !! ... my heart sunk when i saw this !! ..

FOREVER DIO !!

Posted by Jaymz Hughes | November 28, 2009 12:18 PM | Reply to this

no way !! ... my heart sunk when i saw this !! ..

FOREVER DIO !!

Posted by Jaymz Hughes | November 28, 2009 12:20 PM | Reply to this

All the best Ronnie for a speedy full recovery.

Posted by Brox | November 29, 2009 12:29 AM | Reply to this

to be honest mate, music moves on, and while i dislike bands like my passion and metro station, obviously they need some coverage because alot of people do like them. if Kerrang! kept on about bands from the 70's then it would be basically classic rock wouldnt it? i personally love punk bands like the ramones, so i know its a given that they most likely wont be featured in kerrang!. besides, wishing cancer on somone just because you dont like their music is more than a bit harsh. without ozzy, there wouldnt be a black sabbath in my opinion, and alot of dio's music wouldnt have ever existed.

Posted by Chris | November 29, 2009 11:29 AM | Reply to this

:'( this is such shit news!!

Get better soon mate, I haven't heard "Rainbow in the dark" enough yet!!

Posted by Liam wood | November 29, 2009 10:21 PM | Reply to this

YES! i cant fucking agree any more to this comment. well apart from the ozzy part coz i love ozzy haha. but the reviews on the shit m,usic hafta stop for this. Dio is a God and has earned his legendary status. This needs a large section in your magazine K! dont disappoint me

Posted by Perry! | November 30, 2009 3:27 AM | Reply to this

Get well soon! A ledgend like this wont go this early on :)

Posted by Wally | December 1, 2009 6:17 PM | Reply to this

NOOOO!!!!

please get well soon...

Ill pray to the gods of rock 'n' roll, for you to get better...

Posted by camilla | December 1, 2009 10:00 PM | Reply to this

Dude, Dio can't have stomach cancer. He's God.

My uncle had stomach cancer, but he made it through. It's proof that the dragon can be killed.

The man's a legend.
By God, Satan, all those freaky Marylin Manson stylee deities and my uncle;

Kick some cancerous dragon ass.

Posted by Joe | December 6, 2009 3:16 PM | Reply to this

Oh!! my favorite metal vocalist!!! My prayers for you!! I think its about time to surrender everything to God..for He is our healer and creator..Everything belongs and ends for Him..He is just one prayer away waiting for us to come to Him..

Posted by jay rodrigueza | January 23, 2010 1:01 PM | Reply to this