R.I.P. Ronnie James Dio, Paul Gray, Gary Coleman & Dennis Hopper

If you ask me, there have been too many recent celebrity deaths. First, Ronnie James Dio and Paul Gray were pronounced dead last week. Now, both Gary Coleman and Dennis Hopper were pronounced dead over the weekend.

On May 16th, one of heavy metal's most loved and respected vocalists, Ronnie James Dio, passed away due to complications with stomach cancer. Dio was the lead singer of bands such as Elf, Rainbows, Heaven & Hell, and Dio. He was also the lead singer of Black Sabbath after Ozzy Osbourne was asked to leave the band in 1979. More importantly, Dio popularized the "devil horns" hand gesture; a symbol widely applied to heavy metal genres. R.I.P. Dio!

Last Monday, it was announced that Slipknot bass player, Paul Gray, was found dead in his hotel room. No word yet on the cause of death, as officials are still awaiting a toxicology report. Drugs were most likely a factor Gray's passing. Last week, Slipknot held a press conference with Gray's wife to provide an official statement on their loss, and to mourn the death of their friend. R.I.P Paul!

Gary Coleman suffered a brain hemorrhage last Wednesday at his home in Utah. After spending Thursday morning awake, Coleman slipped into unconsciousness as the day progressed. He was put on life support on Thursday, and removed from life support on Friday. He died peacefully and quickly surrounded by his wife and family. Maybe now he will finally find out what Willis was talking about for all of those years. R.I.P. Gary!

Dennis Hopper also died this weekend after complications resulting from his prostate cancer. For those who don't know, Dennis Hopper directed and starred in Easy Rider in 1969. Easy Rider's use of music, instead of dialogue, for storytelling was truly unique. If you haven't seen it, you're missing out. Although it might seem outdated now, the film's subject matter provides fantastic commentary on the counterculture phenomenon of the 1960s, and how it slowly came to an end when the 1970s began. R.I.P. Dennis!

It's been a rough year for influential musicians and celebrities!