One of rock's greatest and yet somehow tragically underrated front men Ronnie James Dio lost his battle with cancer early Sunday morning ending a brilliant and varied career that spanned an incredible 6 decades. Ronnie logged time in huge outfits like Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and had a prolific solo run as well as helping to popularize the now ubiquitous "metal horns" hand gesture. He was 67.

Truly one of rock's "good guys", Ronnie and I shared many laughs over the years. My experience was by no means exclusive, however. Ronnie was hands down one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever met, especially with his many fans. I feel very fortunate to have known him. Thanks for all the great music Ronnie. You will truly be missed, but never forgotten.

This Monday from 3pm-7pm on my show, tune in for a special tribute to Ronnie James Dio featuring music from his storied career, as well as never before heard interview segments from my personal archives.

(See Ronnie James Dio perform "Rainbow In The Dark" live here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUXSTY9AW-s)

(See Ronnie James Dio's video for "The Last In Line" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV4Tov1GBM&feature=related)

(See Ronnie James Dio perform "Man On The Silver Mountain" live with Rainbow here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFH36je9Hro)

(See Ronnie James Dio in Black Sabbath's video for "Neon Knights" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhe1SuBGkiA)

(See Ronnie James Dio's last performance in Chicago August 19, 2009 at Charter One Pavilion performing "The Mob Rules" with Heaven & Hell here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KZd3HwB8Xk)

(See photographs of Ronnie James Dio during his final trip to Chicago here: http://www.wlup.com/airstaff/byrd/ronnioJamesDio.aspx)

This past Thursday night, Ratt and the Loop packed the Cubby Bear in Wrigleyville to celebrate the release of Ratt's new CD "Infestation." Looking and sounding remarkably refreshed, Ratt proceeded to lay waste to the capacity crowd of Loyal Loopers with a heady mixture of their classics as well as selections from their return-to-form latest.

(See Ratt perform "Round And Round" live at the Cubby Bear here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_dvVFyZOSE)

This Tuesday from 3pm-7pm, join me as I broadcast my show live from the Nickelback/Shinedown/Breaking Benjamin show at the Allstate Arena. In addition, the members of Shinedown will be joining me on the air at 5:30pm. See you there!

(See Nickelback's video for "Burn It To The Ground" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxgeSv88c2w&feature=related)

(See Nickelback's video for "Too Bad" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E7_8FWqY9o)

(See Nickelback's video for "Rock Star" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1hgVcNzvzY&feature=related)

(See Shinedown's video for "Devour" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QXNtLaOnSE)

Also this week on show from 3pm-7pm on 97.9 The Loop and worldwide at www.wlup.com: Win tickets to Ozzfest 2010 featuring Ozzy Osbourne, Motley Crue, Rob Halford, Black Label Society, and many more each day at 5:05pm, tickets to Alice In Chains each day as well as conversations with Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon this Friday at 6:30pm and Airbourne this Saturday at 4:30pm.

(See Airbourne's video for "No Way But The Hard Way" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DHHv5OuEzY)

(See Airbourne's video for "Runnin' Wild" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2IyX5LXGyg)