It’s a sad, sad day in the temple of rock. Heavy metal forefather Ronnie James Dio — who fronted bands including Rainbow, Black Sabbath and his own Dio — passed away from stomach cancer yesterday.

Dio, who was one of the most parodied — and at the same time, beloved — figures in hard rock history (Jack Black‘s Tenacious D even wrote a song about his pegasus-loving ways), was famous for popularizing the devil’s-horn hand gesture, which he copied from his superstitious Italian grandmother, who used it to ward off evil spirits.

Dio’s infamous style was pure Renaissance Fair — the tiny rocker had a fondness for knight’s armor, capes, swords and hatchets. Flared velvet tunics and pointy-toed jester boots (of the Robin Hood variety) were other staples.

In his semi-operatic style, he sung about slaying dragons, finding unicorns and, well,  marrying the devil’s daughter.

You will be missed, RJD. Now ride off into the sunset on your gilded eagle.