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Died On This Date (May 16, 2010) Ronnie James Dio / Rock God

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Ronnie James Dio (Born Ronald Padavona)
July 10, 1942 – May 16, 2010

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Ronnie James Dio was one of the greatest heavy metal  vocalists of all time.  While the rest of us can only wish to front just one great legendary rock band, Dio could claim Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Elf, Heaven & Hell, and of course, Dio.  And unlike most, if not all metal singers, during Dio’s early years, he fronted a rockabilly band, Ronnie & the Red Caps.  By the early ’70s, Dio was moving into the blues rock world with his next band, Elf who would find its audience by touring with the likes of Deep Purple.   A few years later, guitarist, Ritchie Blackmore left Deep Purple and formed Rainbow, inviting Dio to sing lead in the group.  His albums with Rainbow include Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, Rainbow Rising, and Long Live Rock and Roll.  In 1979, Dio was hired to replace Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath, with whom he recorded the classic Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules albums, among others.  Dio finally began recording under his own name in 1980, and as Dio, released such landmark metal albums as Holy Diver, The Last In Line, and Sacred Heart.  It is no doubt that Dio was one of the driving forces of heavy metal, but his contributions to the genre went beyond his instantly recognizable voice.  During his tenure with Black Sabbath, Dio began flashing what would become known as the “devil horns” hand gesture from the stage, perhaps not inventing the symbol, but definitely making it heavy metal’s own.  In November of 2009, it was announced that Ronnie James Dio was suffering from stomach cancer.  On May 16, 2010, the cancer took his life at the age of 67.

Further Reading: Ronnie James Dio’s Greatest Album Moments

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Stand Up and Shout - The Anthology - Dio

Musician Pop Singer

Died On This Date (May 16, 1990) Sammy Davis, Jr. / World Renowned Entertainer

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Sammy Davis, Jr.
December 8, 1925 – May 16, 1990

Sammy Davis, Jr. was an all-around entertainment icon who could wow audiences with his singing, dancing, comedy, impressions and his skills on the vibraphone, trumpet and drums.  And if that weren’t enough, he was and Emmy and Academy Award winning actor.  Closely associated with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford, or the Rat Pack, he exemplified all that was cool in the ’60s.  And in spite of the poor treatment he as an African-American received from casinos and nightclubs, he rose to the top, with devoted friend Sinatra coming to his defense whenever necessary.  In 1954, Davis was in a serious car accident that resulted in his the loss of his left eye, which was replaced by a glass one.  It was around this time that Davis became romantically involved with actress, Kim Novak.  It has been reported that then head of Columbia Pictures, Harry Cohn, who was afraid the relationship would negatively impact the career of his most valuable starlet, arranged for the mob to kidnap Davis in order to scare him out of the relationship.   In spite of all the setbacks thrown at him throughout his career, Davis continued to be one of the hardest working entertainers over the next three decades.  But his toughest obstacle came in the form of throat cancer.  Discovered in its early stages, the doctors told him that he could saved with surgery, but Davis opted against it, saying he would rather die than lose his voice.  Davis sadly did die as a result of throat cancer on May 16, 1990.  I am honored to have attended his funeral.

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Jazz Musician

Died On This Date (May 16, 2010) Hank Jones / Acclaimed Jazz Pianist

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Hank Jones
July 31, 1918 –  May 16, 2010

Hank Jones was a multi-Grammy nominated jazz pianist who came from a musical family that included brothers, Thad Jones and Elvin Jones.  An early adapter to the instrument, Jones began playing around his neighborhood in his early teens, and before he knew it, he was playing with Ella Fitzgerald.   That was from 1948 to 1953, after which he played with the likes of Charlie Parker, Benny Goodman and Cannonball Adderley, to name just of few of the greats with whom he collaborated.  Throughout the ’60s and early ’70s, Jones played in the CBS house band which afforded him the opportunity to play on the Ed Sullivan Show over the years.  One highlight was backing Frank Sinatra.  Jones released nearly 20 albums throughout his career, and played as a sideman on at least that many as well.  He stayed active nearly up to the time of his passing.  Hank Jones was 91 when he died on May 16, 2010.

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Composer Jazz Musician

Died On This Date (May 16, 1953) Django Reinhardt / Jazz Great

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Django Reinhardt
January 23, 1910 – May 16, 1953

Django Reinhardt was one of Europe’s earliest jazz musician’s to gain fame on the international level. His style of choice was Gypsy Jazz on the guitar, spending much of his youth in gypsy camps near Paris. By the mid ’30s he was playing alongside the likes of Coleman Hawkins, Benny Carter and Louis Armstrong. During WWII, Reinhardt escaped the fate of many other gypsies who were sent to their deaths at the hands of the Nazis. It has been reported that Reinhardt had an influential fan in the Luftwaffe. His popularity soared in post war Europe and beyond thanks in part to his musical partnership with Stephane Grappelli. Reinhardt retired in 1951 and died in 1953 after collapsing outside his house from a brain hemorrhage.

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