Article by: Rumer Certeza
Photo: Youtube

Ronnie James Dio, Black Sabbath's frontman and Ozzy Osbourne's replacement, succumbed to stomach cancer at age 67, on Sunday.

The rocker, who was born to an Italian-American family in New Hampshire as Ronald Jmes Padavona, was also the frontman of the band 'Dio,' who spurred hits such as the classic rock 'Holy Diver' in 1983.

In a statement from his wife and manager, Wendy Dio, "Many many friends and family were able to say theur private good-byes before hs peacefully passed away."

Wendy continues, "Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all. We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us. Please give us a few days of privacy to deal with this terrible loss. Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever."

Exact whereabouts regarding his place of death are yet to be confirmed, but the widow mentioned that her husband was seeking treatment in Houston.

Dio catapulted to fame in 1975 when he joined the band Rainbow, a group that was led by Ritchie Blackmore, a former guitarist from Deep Purple.

The heavy metal legend would then move over to Black Sabbath, after the departure of Ozzy Osbourne in 1979. During his stint, three albums were recorded with the band before hanging in the towel.

Dio complained that there were not enough photos of him in the artwork for the group's concert album in 1982 entitled 'Little Evil,' not to mention guitarist Tony Iommi referring to him as a 'little Hitler.'

In was in 2006, that most of the members of the band would reunite, only under a different name. It would be the name of the first album Dio had recorded with Black Sabbath called 'Heaven and Hell.' The group had toured as well as realease a studio album just last year.

Last November, the pint sized rocker had been diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer, prompting him to undergo early treatment. And just two months ago, the main tumor had shrunk to a great extent, limiting his visits to his cancer clinic in Houston.