Ronnie James Dio’s death brings tributes from Slash, Tom Morello

Today’s passing of pioneering heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio hasn’t been lost on those he’s influenced, many of whom shared their thoughts via Twitter today. Slash, former lead guitarist for Guns n’ Roses, referred to Dio moments ago as “one of the best Heavy Metal singers of all time.” Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy (also of Avenged Sevenfold) called today “one of the saddest days in metal ever” and opined that the deceased Dimebag Darrell, Randy Rhoads, Metallica’s Cliff Burton, and Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham just gained the “ultimate singer.” Meanwhile, Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, responding to last night’s erroneously early report that Dio had passed, stated that he was “One of rock’s greatest singers” and also said that he was “Cranking Mob Rules in his memory. Thanks Ronnie for rocking me like crazy.”

The news of Dio’s death came from the late singer’s wife this morning. Here’s what she had to say.