Dead at 67: Ronnie James Dio. (David Livingston, file photo: Getty Images)
Ronnie James Dio, the metal legend who replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath, has died aged 67.
Dio announced last year he was suffering from stomach cancer.
"My heart is broken," a statement by his wife Wendy Dio said.
"Many, many friends and family were able to say their private goodbyes before he peacefully passed away.
"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," she added.
Dio first achieved prominence in 1975 when he joined Rainbow, a group led by former Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore.
"Ronnie had a unique and wonderful voice. He will be sadly missed in the rock and roll world," Blackmore said in a statement.
Dio moved to Black Sabbath, the leading exponents of heavy metal, after Osbourne was ousted in 1979.
He recorded three albums with the band before quitting.
He reportedly complained there were not enough photos of him in the artwork for the group's 1982 album Live Evil, while guitarist Tony Iommi referred to Dio as a "little Hitler".
In 1982, Dio formed his own band with former Black Sabbath drummer Vinny Appice.
Their group enjoyed success the following year with the album and song Holy Diver.
It recorded 10 vastly inconsistent studio albums amid frequent line-up changes until 2004.
Dio briefly rejoined the remains of Black Sabbath to record the 1992 album Dehumanizer, but by that stage the group had already lost most of its fans.
In 2006, Dio reunited with Iommi, Appice and Black Sabbath bassist/lyricist Geezer Butler under the banner Heaven And Hell.
The group toured and released an album last year.
In November Dio disclosed that he had been diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer and would immediately start treatment.
Two months ago he reported that the main tumour had shrunk considerably and his visits to a cancer clinic in Houston had been reduced.
But earlier this month Heaven And Hell said it would cancel an upcoming tour of Europe because of Dio's illness.
Dio will be best remembered for his soaring vocal prowess and a trademark dark stage persona.
He reportedly popularised the "devil horn" hand gesture, one of metal's references to the dark side.
"Horns at half mast. Such a huge loss," said Scott Ian, rhythm guitarist with metal group Anthrax, which toured with Dio's band in 2004.
- ABC/AFP/Reuters