OZZY Says He 'Sent Encouragement' To DIO After RONNIE Was Diagnosed With Cancer

May 19, 2010

Ozzy Osbourne told QMI Agency in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on Wednesday before an afternoon news conference to promote his new solo album, "Scream", that Ronnie James Dio's ultimately fatal battle with stomach cancer hit close to home.

"As soon as I heard I heard he had been diagnosed with cancer, I sent him some encouragement," Osbourne said. "Having been through that situation myself with (my wife) Sharon when we were doing (the reality TV show) 'The Osbournes', it's always somebody over there. When it lands at your doorstep you're like, 'What do you do? How do you get round this?' When Sharon got (colon) cancer, I'd never known anyone who survived. I thought it was bullshit when they told you, 'They can survive.' I just thought they were trying to smooth me over. And she got over it."

Osbourne added that he ran into BLACK SABBATH/HEAVEN & HELL drummer Vinny Appice at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards show in early April and inquired about Dio's health.

"I didn't get a chance to see him but I was talking to the drummer Vinny, and I said, 'Did he get my message?' 'I don't know,' he said.' And I said, 'Well, tell him to keep up the fight.' Then on the weekend, we heard he had passed away, which is sad. He had a great voice. People thought that me and him were at war. At first, I suppose a bit of theatrics would be involved, but I mean it's been 30 years."

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