UPDATED TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2010 — 7:45AM

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The tributes keep pouring in for Ronnie James Dio, the Heaven and Hell singer who died Sunday at age 67 from stomach cancer…

Ozzy Osbourne, who Dio replaced in Black Sabbath: “I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Ronnie James Dio. Metal has truly lost one of its greatest voices. My heart goes out to his family and to his many fans.” He added: “Love and respect.”

Heaven and Hell guitarist Tony Iommi: “I’ve been in total shock — I just can’t believe he’s gone. Ronnie was one of the nicest people you could ever meet… Ronnie loved what he did, making music and performing on stage. He loved his fans so much… The man with the magic voice is a star amongst stars, a true professional. I’ll miss you so much, my dear friend.”

Queen guitarist Brian May: “Ronnie was one of the creators of the genre of heavy metal… He was in many ways the antithesis of the current mold of TV-bred singers… He was not a TV face, a ‘celebrity’… I don’t know if he invented the devil-horn salute, but he was certainly the man who, more than ever, made it a universal symbol, a worldwide salute of metal.”

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Iron Maiden: “Ronnie was not only an incredibly gifted singer but also a wonderfully warm, intelligent and generous person, and this shone through both on and off stage… The world has lost an irreplaceable talent and, first and foremost, one of the finest human beings you could ever wish to meet.”

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich writes, “Dear Ronnie, I just got off stage in Zagreb. I was met with the news that you’ve passed on. I’m kind of in shock, but I wanted you to know that you were one of the main reasons I made it onto that stage to begin with. When I first saw you in Elf, opening for Deep Purple in 1975, I was completely blown away by the power in your voice, your presence on stage, your confidence, and the ease with which you seemed to connect to 6000 Danish people and one starry-eyed 11 year old, most of whom were not familiar with Elf’s music. The following year, I was so psyched when I heard the results of you joining forces with my favorite guitar player. You guys sounded so right for each other and I instantly became Rainbow’s #1 fan in Denmark. In the fall of 1976, when you played your first show in Copenhagen, I was literally in the front row and the couple of times we made eye contact you made me feel like the most important person in the world. The news that you guys were staying in town on your day off somehow embedded itself in my brain and I made the pilgrimage to the Plaza Hotel to see if I could somehow grab a picture, an autograph, a moment, anything. A few hours later you came out and were so kind and caring… pictures, autographs and a couple minutes of casual banter. I was on top of the world, inspired and ready for anything. Rainbow came to Copenhagen a couple more times over the next few years and each time you guys blew my mind, and for a good three years were my absolute favorite band on this planet. Over the years I’ve been fortunate enough to run into you a half dozen times or so and each time you were as kind, caring and gracious as you were in 1976 outside the hotel. When we finally got a chance to play together in Austria in 2007, even though I may not have let on, I was literally transformed back to that little snot nosed kid who you met and inspired 31 years earlier and it was such a f***ing honor and a dream come true to share a stage with you and the rest of the legends in Heaven and Hell. A couple of weeks ago when I heard that you were not going to be able to make it to the Sonisphere shows that we would be sharing this June, I wanted to call you and let you know that I was thinking of you and wish you well, but I kind of p***ied out, thinking the last thing you needed in your recovery was feeling obligated to take a phone call from a Danish drummer/fan boy. I wish I’d made that call. We will miss you immensely on the dates, and we will be thinking of you with great admiration and affection during that run. It seemed so right to have you out on tour with the so-called “Big Four” since you obviously were one of the main reasons that the four bands even exist. Your ears will definitely be burning during those two weeks because all of us will be talking, reminiscing and sharing stories about how knowing you has made our lives that much better. Ronnie, your voice impacted and empowered me, your music inspired and influenced me, and your kindness touched and moved me. Thank you. Much love, Lars “

Queensryche: “Ronnie James Dio was undoubtedly one of heavy metal’s greatest performers and will continue to influence the world of heavy metal forever… We will all miss him greatly, but Ronnie will live on every time we raise our metal horns high! The man on the silver mountain will always be our rainbow in the dark.”

Roger Glover, Dio’s bandmate in Rainbow: “A huge part of my life just disappeared. Words are not enough, emotions are too much.”

Smashing Pumpkins singer Billy Corgan: “I only got to meet him once and I can honestly say he was the nicest person I have ever met in music. Ronnie was a true gentleman and obviously one of the best rock singers there will ever be.”

The U.K.’s Download Festival this summer will honor Dio by naming the second stage the Ronnie James Dio Stage.

From yesterday’s post…

His Heaven and Hell / Black Sabbath bandmate Geezer Butler says, “Goodbye my dear friend.”

Ritchie Blackmore, who hired Dio in Rainbow: “Ronnie had a unique and wonderful voice. He will be sadly missed in the rock and roll world.”

KISS: “In addition to his powerhouse vocal ability, Ronnie was a true gentleman who always emanated great warmth and friendship to us and everyone around him. We will miss him.”

Judas Priest: “We are filled with great sadness at the terrible news about our friend Ronnie James Dio. Our condolences and love go to Wendy [Dio, Ronnie's wife/manager] and Ronnie’s family. Ronnie was a wonderful man and will be sorely missed.”

Slash: “Ronnie died at 7:45 a.m., but his music will live for eternity.”

Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx: “When I first heard that Ronnie had passed, I was shocked. I was just with Rob Halford and Ozzy and they both said he was doing better. Ronnie was one of the kindest souls I have ever met and his talent was beyond inspirational to so many of us. Motley Crue was fortunate to tour with Dio in Europe and we all became friends. L.A. is a big city with a small community of musicians. Those of us that had the opportunity to know Ronnie can tell you what a wonderful and passionate man he was. I still have this image of him standing on stage in front of 100,000 belting out “Man on the Silver Mountain” and remember the shivers it sent up my spine. He will be missed by all of us.”

Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian: “Rest in peace, Ronnie James Dio. Horns at half mast. Such a huge loss… So many memories of Ronnie. Toured together many times. He always had a kind word and a smile and he loved the Yankees. In 2004 on the Dio / Anthrax tour I would get the Yankee score every inning for Ronnie while he was on stage. He was so into it…”

David Coverdale: “[I was] so very sad to hear of Ronnie’s passing… My thoughts, prayers and condolence to his family and friends.”

Sebastian Bach: “Crying right now in remembrance of my hero and friend, Ronnie James Dio. He was a major, major part of my life. I got to do shows with him and work with him and I loved Dio my whole life. Thanks so much. The world has lost one of the best.”

Glenn Hughes: “It is a very sad day today… I have lost a very dear friend. Ronnie was a true leader of heavy metal… an icon and a visionary… There will never be another like him. Ronnie gave me wisdom, and showed me great compassion when he was in Elf, all those years ago, when we were on tour together in my time in Deep Purple. He was a beautiful soul, kind, considerate and a wonderful teacher. Someday I’ll be bringing your microphone up there with me, and we’ll sing a song, and share a Vindaloo together… I’ll miss, you mate.”

Twisted Sister: “Ronnie not only was a giant in the worldwide metal scene, but he was also one of the nicest people you would ever want to meet. Beginning in 1983 when we first toured with Ronnie in Canada, and continuing over the last seven years when we played dozens of festivals around the world, Ronnie was one of the most supportive and gracious members of the music community. Our thoughts and prayers are with Wendy and Ronnie’s family.”