06/30/2026
Time for a little heavy metal history in Cortland and at The Hollywood!
For those of you who have been wondering why Hollywood now features a beautiful mural by the incredibly talented artist Nico Cathcart, depicting Ronnie James Dio, Elf, The Rods, and other iconic heavy metal referencesāhereās the story behind it.
These arenāt just legendary names in rock history; theyāre part of our familyās roots and a piece of Cortlandās musical legacy.
Ronnie James Padavona, better known to the world as Ronnie James Dio, grew up in Cortland, New York, born on July 10, 1942. Widely regarded as one of the greatest voices in heavy metal history, Dioās powerful vocals, theatrical stage presence, and unforgettable songwriting helped shape the genre for generations. He also popularized the now-famous ādevil hornsā hand gesture, which became an enduring symbol of heavy metal culture.
His musical journey began locally before taking him to international fame:
ā¢ 1963 ā Ronnie Dio and the Prophets: One of his earliest bands, performing throughout Central New York and laying the foundation for his future career.
ā¢ 1967 ā The Electric Elves / Elf: Originally formed as The Electric Elves, the band evolved into Elf after a tragic car accident involving several band members. The group gained attention opening for Deep Purple, ultimately leading to Ronnieās introduction to guitarist Ritchie Blackmore.
ā¢ 1975 ā Rainbow: Dio joined Ritchie Blackmoreās new band, Rainbow, where albums such as Rising and Long Live Rock ānā Roll established him as one of rockās most powerful and influential vocalists.
ā¢ 1979 ā Black Sabbath: Replacing Ozzy Osbourne, Dio helped reinvent Black Sabbath with classics like Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules, ushering in a new era for the legendary band.
ā¢ 1982 ā Dio: Ronnie launched his own band, Dio, releasing timeless albums including Holy Diver, The Last in Line, and Sacred Heart. Songs like āHoly Diverā and āRainbow in the Darkā remain heavy metal anthems today.
ā¢ 2006 ā Heaven & Hell: Ronnie reunited with his Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Vinny Appice under the name Heaven & Hell, introducing a new generation of fans to their music.
ā¢ 2011 ā Dio Disciples: Following Ronnieās passing in 2010, former members of his band came together to honor his legacy by performing his music around the world, ensuring that his influence continues to inspire fans everywhere.
The mural also celebrates The Rods, another legendary heavy metal band with deep roots in Cortland. Formed in 1980 by guitarist David āRockā Feinstein, drummer Carl Canedy, and bassist Steven Starmer, The Rods became known for their high-energy, no-nonsense heavy metal sound and earned a loyal following around the world.
David Feinsteinās connection to Ronnie James Dio went far beyond musicāthey were cousins who grew up together in Cortland and shared a lifelong passion for rock and metal. Before Ronnieās rise to international fame, the two played together in The Electric Elves, one of the bands that would eventually evolve into Elf. Their early years performing throughout Central New York helped lay the foundation for what would become two remarkable careers.
Although Ronnie and David would go on to achieve success on different paths, their shared beginnings in Cortland remain an important part of the areaās musical history. The mural honors not only Ronnie James Dioās extraordinary legacy, but also the talented musicians, bands, and hometown connections that helped shape one of heavy metalās most influential eras.
Weāre incredibly proud to celebrate not only one of heavy metalās greatest icons, but also the local roots, family ties, and rich musical history that began right here in Cortland. We hope that when you stop by Hollywood, youāll take a moment to admire Nico Cathcartās incredible artwork and appreciate the story it tellsāa story of hometown talent, lifelong passion, and a legacy that continues to inspire heavy metal fans across the globe.
