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Prior to his tragic death in 2010, Ronnie James Dio had been writing his autobiography, looking back on the remarkable life that led him from his hometown in Upstate New York to the biggest stages in the world, including the arena that represented the pinnacle of success to him - Madison Square Garden, where this book begins and ends.

As Ronnie contemplates the achievement of a dream, he reflects on the key aspects that coalesced into this moment - the close gang of friends that gave him his start in music, playing parties, bars, frats, and clubs; the sudden transition that moved him to the microphone and changed his life forever; the luck that led to the birth of Rainbow and a productive but difficult collaboration with Ritchie Blackmore; the chance meeting that made him the second singer of Black Sabbath, taking them to new levels of success; the surprisingly tender story behind the birth of the Devil Horns, the lasting symbol of heavy metal; his marriage to Wendy, which stabilized his life, and the huge bet they placed together to launch the most successful endeavor of his career...his own band, Dio.

Everything is described in great detail and in the frankest terms, from his fallout with Blackmore, to the drugs that derailed the resurrection of Black Sabbath, to the personality clashes that frayed each band.

Rainbow in the Dark: The Autobiography of Ronnie James Dio

Ronnie James Dio, the legendary heavy metal singer and songwriter, tells his story in this captivating autobiography. From his early days in the 1950s Rock N' Roll scene to his rise to stardom in the 1970s and 1980s, Dio recounts his life with candor and wit.

Dio's journey begins in Cortland, New York, where he was born in 1942. He grew up in a musical family and began singing at an early age. In the 1950s, he formed his first band, The Vegas Kings, and began playing in local clubs. In 1967, he joined the band Elf, which released three albums before disbanding in 1975.

In 1975, Dio joined Rainbow, the band formed by former Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. Rainbow released six albums with Dio on vocals, including the classic "Rising" (1976) and "Long Live Rock N' Roll" (1978). In 1982, Dio left Rainbow to form his band, Dio.

Dio's self-titled debut album was a commercial success, and the band went on to release nine more studio albums, including the classics "Holy Diver" (1983), "The Last in Line" (1984), and "Dream Evil" (1987). Dio also collaborated with other musicians, including Black Sabbath and Yngwie Malmsteen.

In 2009, Dio was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He underwent treatment and continued to perform and record until his death in 2010. Rainbow in the Dark is a testament to Dio's remarkable life and career. It is a must-read for fans of heavy metal music and anyone interested in the story of one of the most iconic rock stars of all time.