Ronnie James Dio Remembered by His Widow Wendy Three Years After His Death

Today (May 16) marks the third anniversary of Ronnie James Dio's death. The iconic Black Sabbath / Rainbow / Dio / Heaven & Hell vocalist gave his all to music for over 50 years before succumbing to stomach cancer in 2010. To celebrate the live of Ronnie and to mourn his passing, the singer's widow, Wendy Dio, released a tribute to her late husband.

No vocalist in rock and metal history can claim a career quite like Ronnie James Dio's. After playing in various projects including Elf, former Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore recruited Dio to front Rainbow in 1975. The singer's booming voice put himself in the periphery of Black Sabbath, who invited Dio to take the place of Ozzy Osbourne after the 'Prince of Darkness' was fired by Tony Iommi in 1979.

Dio kept Black Sabbath going for many more years as the band created some of their best works with Dio on the mic. Ronnie James Dio continually made great tunes with his eponymous band, Dio, along with Heaven & Hell shortly before his passing.

Wendy Dio released her statement on the Official Ronnie James Dio Facebook Fan Page:

Today is a difficult day for all of us. It has been three years since Ronnie's passing. Sometimes it feels like only yesterday and sometimes it feels like an eternity ago. Please take a moment of silence sometime in the day to remember him on this Anniversary of his death. I know you all loved him, and I thank you for keeping his music and his memory alive.

I take comfort in this old prayer I would like to share with you.

I cannot speak, but I can listen,
I cannot be seen, but I can be heard,
I am in the song you hear,
I am in the breeze you feel...
I am in the stars you see
I am still with you.

Peace be with all of us.