Biff Byford (Saxon):
Today I heard my friend Ronnie dio has lost his battle, it is a great loss to us all.
I first met Ronnie in the early eighties when we played with Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult, the infamous black and blue tour. I first heard him sing on butterfly ball and from that moment I understood what great singing was all about, he was at the top of his game from then on.
His voice was always powerful and soaring his phrasing was uniquely his, copied by many but never bettered. I will miss him as we all will. The last time we met was in Finland last year, both bands stranded in an airport with flight delays what do you do ,go to the bar get drunk and tell rock and roll stories, he told great stories. Deepest condolences to his family
Somewhere in the night a candle burns for you
To absent friends
Biff Byford
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***Is it me for a moment, the stars are falling The heat is rising, the past is calling***