Ronnie James Dio Explaining Heavy Metal To A Non-Metal Fan Is The Coolest Thing You’ll See All Day

Ronnie Explains It All

Despite being one of heavy metal’s fiercest entertainers and most loved figures, late legend Ronnie James Dio was as nice as they came – funny, insightful, always gracious towards fans and interviewers but always honest to a fault, Dio was always game to sit and chat about the things that mattered. In 1994, he sat down with magazine and newspaper editor Joan Agajanian Quinn for a lengthy interview in which no topic was untouchable; from religion to the problems of the world, Dio was an open book.

There was one segment, however, that sailed right on into legend; at one point, he’s asked by Joan to explain heavy metal, a question would have earned her an eye roll or a sarcastic reply from anyone else, but not Ronnie – not by a long shot.

Fun Fact: Long before he ruled over heavy metal, Dio was quite the doo-wop singer, fronting a group called Ronnie Dio and the Red Caps.

Self-effacing and insightful as always, Dio gives her a lengthy response that delves into the history of metal, wrapping its origins and inspiration and effect on people into a beautifully easy to understand package for Joan, patiently answering follow-up questions like, “Does it have to use certain instruments? Does that make it louder?” that many others might have found a little silly. Always a joy to sit and listen to Ronnie talk about his passion with others, this interview is one of the coolest things we’ve stumbled across in a while and we’re sure it’s something you’ll dig quite a bit, too. Enjoy!