Ronnie James Dio first came into the spotlight in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s leading a band named Elf. Elf’s debut album was co-produced by two members of Deep Purple, and they toured as an opening act for the mega band.
But it was guitarist Ritchie Blackmore who, when he split from Deep Purple in the mid-1970’s and recruited Dio away from Elf to join his new project “Rainbow,” jump started Dio’s career.
Dio, along with Blackmore, became the driving force behind the music of Rainbow – a fantasy-themed hard rock. He left the band after their third album when Blackmore wanted to move the band in a more mainstream direction – a sound demonstrated on Rainbow’s subsequent album, “Down to Earth” and the single “Since You Been Gone.” Dio, for his part, replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath – moving that band in a completely new direction.
His stint with Sabbath was short, lasting only two studio albums, before striking out with drummer Vinny Appice to form “Dio.”
His professional music career spans about 50 years – While in high school, he released a single while playing in a band called Ronnie and the Red Caps. His studio recording career begins in 1972 – 36 years – and it is from this point we will rank Dio’s Top most important 10 songs.
“The Important Dio”
10. “Hungry for Heaven” (Dio) – 1985 Sacred Heart, “Vision Quest” Soundtrack
This song is the latest of the Dio tracks to make this Top 10. It is somewhat of a break from Dio’s typical subject matter, designed to reach a more pop-oriented audience – even to the point of inclusion on the soundtrack to “Vision Quest,” an otherwise forgettable high school movie. This is likely the sound Blackmore was looking for in Rainbow, precipitating Dio’s departure.
9. “Neon Knights” (Black Sabbath) – 1980 Heaven & Hell
This song represents one of the rare occasions that Black Sabbath charted in the US, hitting #17 on Billboard’s mainstream rock chart. Heaven & Hell was Sabbath’s first studio album without Ozzy Osbourne.
“The Last in Line” (Dio) – 1984 The Last In Line
The follow up album to Dio’s debut record shows an increasing desire to reach a more mainstream audience. While the lyrics reflect traditional Ronnie James Dio styling, the title song features a melodic introduction with an opening verse of ironic imagery, upon which the song breaks into a decidedly hard rock – but not quite “heavy metal” guitar riff.
7. “Long Live Rock N Roll” (Rainbow) – 1978 Long Live Rock ‘N Roll
The title track to the last album Dio recorded with Rainbow, it is a gem. It is a solid, hard rocking song, and showcases Dio at his most vocally solid. It doesn’t get caught up in any of the sorcerers and goblins that Blackmore was trying to get away from and demonstrates Dio’s writing abilities without the more mystical content.
“Holy Diver” (Dio) – 1983 Holy Diver
Another title track makes the list. Holy Diver was a deliberate statement to Black Sabbath – whom he felt were slighting his contributions to the band. It was released as the first single and made the rare chart appearance. Remember the lyric, “The vision never dies, Life’s a never ending wheel…” Perhaps a reference to the earlier song, “The Mob Rules”
The Essential Dio – The Top 5
5. “The Mob Rules” (Black Sabbath) – 1981 Mob Rules
Mob Rules followed up the successful Heaven & Hell and while the fandom embraced it, the critics did not. The lyrics are darker, and in this song the content is about society following the wrong leaders, revolution and complacency: “Break the circle and stop the movement, the wheel is thrown to the ground, Just remember it might start rolling and take you right back around.”
“Man on the Silver Mountain” (Rainbow) – 1975 Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow
This was from Rainbow’s first effort as Ritchie Blackmore was trying to demonstrate why he would leave Deep Purple. It is well produced, but not overly produced and feels like a genuine effort. Blackmore was giving his best effort and Dio now had the opportunity to shine on a much larger stage.
“Rainbow in the Dark” (Dio) – 1983 Holy Diver
Dio finds a synthesizer to provide some harmony to his traditional mystically oriented lyrics. The result was an accessible heavy metal song, again likely carefully planned to show Blackmore that there was still currency in Dio’s brand of mysticism.
2.”Kill the King” (Rainbow) – 1978 Long Live Rock ‘N Roll
Over and above “Man on the Silver Mountain,” this ranks as my favorite Dio/Rainbow effort. The melody is perfect, and what we find here is an aggressive medieval themed rock anthem. It’s cleanly produced – just a great head banging, hard rocking song.
“Heaven & Hell” (Black Sabbath) – 1980 Heaven & Hell
Dio has suggested that “Heaven & Hell” is his favorite work, and I am no one to disagree. It was this album and this title track that set the direction for both Sabbath and Dio going forward. Dio simply grabs control of the personality of the band. The lyrics explore the individuals’ capacity to choose between good and evil and the song itself has a “wall of sound” production. Ride life’s carousel well, chose to whom you listen carefully.
OTHER “TOP MUSIC” LISTS
· The Essential Motörhead: Top 5 Songs
·: Top 10 Songs
· Jimmy Buffett: Top 10 Albums
· Anthrax Top 10 Songs
