While old-school metal has given way to nü-metal in America, there are still plenty of headbangers who remember when Dio fronted Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow in the mid-‘70s, generating hits like “Man On The Silver Mountain” and “Rainbow In The Dark.”

When Ozzy Osbourne took a sabbatical from Black Sabbath in the early ‘80s, Dio stepped in with his operatic wail for the albums Heaven and Hell (1980) and Mob Rules (1981).

He formed his own band in 1983 with guitarist Vivian Campbell (who later played with Whitesnake and Def Leppard), drummer Vinny Appice, ex-Rainbow bassist Jimmy Bain and keyboardist Claude Schnell. They released some fantasy-metal hits, including “Holy Diver” and “Don’t Talk to Strangers.”

The fans still keep the faith and Dio continues to deliver the goods. His latest album, Magica, came out in the spring and Rhino Records is readying a “best of” set for release later this month.

The U.S. tour kicks off November 15 in San Francisco and dates run through mid-December. Guitar god Yngwie Malmsteen and Doro Pesch open on all dates.