Only Two Years

[Zoey.M16]

This may sound lame to everyone who has loved Ronnie's music since they were teenagers. But I only learned who he was two years ago, at the age of 31. (No excuses, I guess I was too lazy to make an effort to explore music.) I have been stunned by how much this loss has affected me, especially considering the short time frame involved.

My story began - as so many stories do - with several rounds of margaritas.

It was the summer of 2008, and my husband and I were at Lake Tahoe for the weekend. One evening, we went out to enjoy the nightlife on the Nevada side of the border. We were having ourselves a great ol' time, and as the night progressed, found ourselves hanging out at Bill's Casino. I was playing video poker while a nearby group of folks queued up songs on a juke box.

A new track began and I looked up in amazement. The sound was hard and clean, utterly magnificent... and clearly not something made recently. Two questions coalesced in my mind:
1. Who IS this guy?
2. What the **** is a holy diver?

We made a note on a napkin so we would remember what to look for when we got home. Back home, having returned to clean living for the time being, I had another listen - and no, it wasn't just the tequila talking, it really did sound that good! Needless to say, I immediately rounded up some more DIO and Sabbath material and couldn't believe what I'd been missing. Ronnie's music quickly became an indispensable part of life. I don't know who was operating the juke box that night, but they gave me a priceless gift!

Last summer, we were lucky enough to see Heaven & Hell perform; I guess it was one of their very last shows. It was, of course, absolutely incredible; as excellent a show as you could imagine. Ronnie's stage presence blew me away with his energy and that incomparable voice. I found myself thinking, "he seems like SUCH a nice guy too, and seems to really love his fans" and that impression stuck with me firmly. I told myself I was being a dope, thinking something like that just based on a stage performance, but now reading all the stories from people who actually knew him, it is clear all that was perfectly true, and more.

In the past, I've never felt too personally affected when any famous person passed away. If they were known to be a kind or competent person, I would have a polite sense of "oh, that's too bad" and that's about it. This has been totally different and I've been surprised by feeling such a powerful sense of loss, as though he had been a close personal friend. I am still at a bit of a loss to explain, but I guess here, explanation is not really necessary.

I want to offer deepest sympathies to Wendy and thank her wholeheartedly for everything she has done over the years. I simply can't imagine what she's going through. I also want to thank everyone who has shared their stories. It has meant a lot to be able to read them.

With love,
Zoey

[olivious the drummer]

Hey Zoe

Fantastic story and thank you for sharing it with all of us!

Oli
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Stand up and Shout!!!!!

[sarsippius]

Better late than never Zoey, thanks for the story! Glad you got to see them last summer.

I know what you mean about public figures passing, I always say how can you be that sad for someone you never even met. But this one hits close to home......

[Rhonda Ross]

It's never too late to explore music, its sad those that never know music's beauty.
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