Ronnie James Dio
(Ronald James Padavona - July 10 1942 - Portsmouth New Hampshire USA)
d. 16.05.2010 Los Angeles, California, United States

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Dio's musical career began in 1957 when several Cortland, New York musicians formed the band 
The Vegas Kings, which changed their name to Ronnie and the Rumblers in 1958.
Lineup had Padavona on the bass guitar, along with singer Billy DeWolfe, guitarist Nick Pantas,
drummer Tom Rogers, and saxophone player Jack Musci.

In 1958, the band again changed their name, along with a few changes of personnel. The band was
now known as Ronnie and the Redcaps (1958-1961). At this point, Padavona began singing,
replacing DeWolfe. Musci also left the band, and a new guitarist, Dick Botoff, joined.

The Redcaps released two singles:
- Conquest (Pantas/Padavona) (Instr.) / Lover (DeWolfe)
Reb Records 59-45-105, USA, 1958; Seneca S 178-102, USA, 1958
- An Angel Is Missing (Ballard/Tobias) / What'd I Say (Ray Charles)
(both songs featuring Padavona on vocals). 1960

In 1961 The Redcups changed ther name in Ronnie Dio and the Prophets, (1961-1967), with the same lineup:
Padavona - Bass, Vocals
Nick Pantas - Guitar
Dick Botoff - Guitar
Tom Rogers - Drums

Singles:
- The Ooh-Poo-Pah-Doo (originally made by Jessie Hill) / Love Pains; Produced by Herb Abramson 1962
- Gonna Make It Alone (Feldman/Gottehrer/Goldstein/DiMucci) / Swinging Street (Feldman/Gottehrer/Goldstein) 1963
- Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow / Bad Man In Town (Acetate only, never released) 1962
- Mr Misery / Our Year (Jay Goodis) 1963
- Che Tristezza Senza Te (Mr. Misery) / Our Year 1963
- Love Potion No. 9 (Lieber/Stoller) / Love Potion No. 9 - Valex 001, USA, January 1964
- Say You're Mine Again / Where You Gonna Run To Girl - Kapp 697, USA, July 1965
- Smiling By Day (Crying By Night) / Dear Darling (I Won't Be Comin' Home) - Kapp 725, USA, November 1965
- Walking Alone / The Way Of Love - Kapp 770, USA, 1965
- Walking In Different Circles / 10 Days With Brenda - Cameo-Parkway P-143, USA, April 1967

Albums:
Dio At Domino's - Jove Records J-108 (XTV 87360/XTV 87361), USA, 1963