JULY 10, 2011 – A short street called Dio Way in singer Ronnie James Dio’s hometown of Cortland, New York was named for him on what would have been his 69th birthday. Cortland also held a day-long event featuring many central New York local bands and talent for a benefit to the Stand Up and Shout Cancer foundation for cancer research and Dio Memorial concert. Part of the proceeds from the event went to fund a memorial music scholarship for the local city high-school in his name.Dio was born as Ronald James Padavona in a small New Hampshire town in 1942. His parents were both Cortland natives and returned to their hometown shortly after their son was born. It was in Upstate New York that Dio learned to sing and play trumpet and bass guitar. He graduated from Cortland High School in 1960.The legendary metal singer, and front man for bands like Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio and Heaven & Hell, grew up in Cortland, before fleeing Upstate New York for the tantalizing allure of Los Angeles. He would forge a 30-plus-year career that earned him a legacy as one of the greatest (and most underappreciated) metal singers of all time.From a young age, Dio cultivated a reputation as a gracious, amiable man. Despite the controlled furor that fueled his driving rock, he’s often remembered as a humble, quiet guy. He was class president in high school. He always made time for his fans. He lost his battle with stomach cancer on May 16, 2010.
