10 Amazing Musicians We Lost In The 2010s

One of the decade's first big losses came with one of the progenitors of Power Metal, Ronnie James Dio. Starting in the band Elf, Dio teamed up with Deep Purple's Ritchie Blackmore to form the pivotal heavy metal outfit Rainbow. Despite his petite physique at just 5'4'', Dio's was truly a sight and sound to behold, with a voice that could put most rock vocalists to shame. Shortly after Rainbow, Dio teamed up with Black Sabbath and gave them a second wind after the departure of the metal legend and token madman Ozzy Osbourne.

Throughout his time with Sabbath and into his solo career, Dio became one of the most influential figures in modern metal. Along with his voice, Dio helped develop the hard rock aesthetic, with dark themes and mythological tales sprinkled throughout his lyrics. It is also believed that Dio helped to invent the devil horns, a hand gesture that has become synonymous with rock music as a whole.

Aside from his fantastic body of work, many musicians seem to remember Dio as one of the most genuine people in the music industry. For as much great music as Dio has given the metal community, he had never forgotten about the little guy and was supportive and accommodating to whomever he came across. It speaks volumes that despite Dio's amazing vocal talent, he may have been an even better person than he was a performer.