LOS ANGELES — The chants of "Dio, Dio, Dio" from hundreds of headbangers were loud and proud Sunday as fans paid tribute to fiery frontman Ronnie James Dio, who succumbed to stomach cancer May 16 at age 67.
The mammoth public memorial service honoring the late metal legend was, fittingly, more akin to a spirited rock concert than a dreary funeral.
More than 1,200 fans commemorated Dio inside Forest Lawn Memorial Park's Hall of Liberty. Hundreds more gathered in the scorching heat outside the auditorium to watch monitors of the proceedings, which featured performances from some of Dio's rocker friends, including Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple, Geoff Tate of Queensryche and Paul Shortino of Quiet Riot.
"He touched all of us with his music and his message and his magic," said David Feinstein, Dio's cousin and Elf bandmate. "I know that Ronnie truly loved all of you. He had a great appreciation for your loyalty. I'm talking about all you out there, all the fans."
Those gathered remembered the feisty vocalist from such bands as Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath and the self-titled Dio as a passionate performer who was gracious on and off stage.
Many recalled Dio's continued support over the years of Children of the Night, the teenage prostitution rehabilitation organization where his wife, Wendy, serves as chairman.
Dio revealed last summer that he was suffering from stomach cancer shortly after wrapping up a tour in Atlantic City, N.J., with the latest incarnation of Black Sabbath under the name Heaven and Hell.
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