Last Updated on Monday, 17 May 2010 06:36 Written by UNN : Administrator Saturday, 18 July 2009 15:29

As most of you already know, we are deeply saddened to report that one of the greatest rock vocalists of all time, Ronnie James Dio, has passed away... a victim of stomach cancer.

Normally, I am quick to find the right words when a tragedy such as this happens. Today, I am speechless.

I can say that my life was forever changed in 1985 when a friend of mine handed me a copy of 'Holy Diver'. I had never experienced such lyrical and vocal power up to that point. Every song on that record remains as a testament to my youth...

You must remember at that time, most of us were hooked on the commercial successes of Ratt, Twisted Sister & Motley Crue.

Metallica, while generating a lot of buzz, was still 'under the radar'...

Over the years, I (of course) became aquatinted with the entire Elf, Rainbow, Sabbath and Dio catalogs... all of which remain a staple/foundation of this station.

As my career in radio progressed, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to interview Ronnie a few times. I could write volumes on this experience alone, but I'll keep it brief...

RJD was a kind, genuine human being. Nothing about this man was fake. He had an uncanny ability to remember who you were and where you had been. I sometimes wondered if he had the insight to know where you were going in the future as well... As many others can attest, once you met Ronnie, you felt like you were best friends.

Not much more to say... all I know is that Dio's spot in the 'Big Rock 'N' Roll Band In The Sky' was solidified years ago... and I'm sure he's having a blast :-)

Our condolences go out to Wendy Dio and his family... All of us here at 'Noize' will miss him dearly... 

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PROGRAM NOTE: 

After a four month hiatus, Metal Lessons Radio returns to internet radio with an all-new LIVE format on Monday, March 15th at 7pm CST.

The theme-based show ran for the last few years in pre-recorded syndicated playback, but now hosts O’Brien & Mahoney bring their off-kilter brand of metal know-how and nostalgia directly to the listeners via call-ins, live chat, on top internet stations.

The show can be streamed from 'Uncontrolled Noize' available on all players.

Call-in is available at (800) 614-1750.

The chat is located at http://www.oldschoolmetal.net.

Show time is Mondays @ 7-10 PM (Central). 

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WEB PLAYER FYI:

If you are using Internet Explorer and hear a 'click' sound every thirty seconds or so, you may want to disable the 'Start Navigation' sound in Windows.

Here's how you do it:

Windows XP: Go to 'Control Panel', select 'Sounds And Devices', click on the 'Sounds' tab, scroll down to 'Windows Explorer', highlight 'Start Navigation', set sound to '(None)'.

Windows Vista: Go to 'Control Panel', select 'Sound', click on the 'Sounds' tab, scroll down to 'Windows Explorer', highlight 'Start Navigation', set sound to '(None)'.

You're set to go :)