10 Greatest Hard Rock Frontmen Of The '80s
3. Ronnie James Dio - Black Sabbath
Ronnie James Dio is a true anomaly of the hard rock industry. Originally coming from the medieval sounds of Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, the man ended up revitalizing metal icons Black Sabbath after the departure of Ozzy Osborne and became one of the greatest solo acts the metal world had ever seen. It seems strange when you see his physique, but once he opened his mouth, you stood at attention.
Regardless of which project he was affiliated with, Dio put every ounce of emotion into his voice, with a powerful wail that could rival Pavarotti if he wanted to. For as much detail as he put into his delivery, Dio was less concerned about the power of his voice and more about setting up a scene in your mind.
Whether or not you necessarily followed the storyline of any of his lyrics, the musical construction of songs like "Heaven and Hell" and "Stargazer" make you feel like you're trudging through the countryside, about to slay a mythical beast before it reeks havoc on the land.
Beyond just a dramatic presence, Dio was also known as one of the most genuine people in rock and roll, who was always gracious to every single fan he came in contact with. Dio may have been able to reach the masses with his songs, but that only scratches the surface of the mark he left on our souls.