Ronnie James Dio (born Ronald James Padovana, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, July 10, 1942 - May 16, 2010) was a heavy metal vocalist, bassist, and trumpeter. Dio formed his first band in 1957. Between 1957 and 1960, the band was known as "The Vegas Kings," "Ronnie and the Rumblers," and "Ronnie and the Redcaps." In 1960, Padovana first used the name "Dio," a reference to Johnny Dio of the Italian mafia. The band then adopted the name "Ronnie Dio and the Prophets," which it used until 1967 when it rebranded as the Electric Elves. In 1975, Dio and other members joined Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple in creating Rainbow. Dio remained with Rainbow until 1979 when he left to replace Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath. Three years later, he and Vinny Appice left and formed Dio. From 2006 until 2010, Dio was also a member of Heaven & Hell. Dio passed away on May 16, 2010 of stomach cancer.