RONNIE JAMES DIO Speaks Out on
"Widespread Abuse" Of "Devil's Horns" Hand Sign
 
Ronnie James Dio, the man widely credited for pioneering the "devil's horns" hand sign, recently spoke to Kerrang! about the "widespread abuse of his creation" amongst pop folk and people who flash the sign without knowing the meaning behind it.
"It's all right as long as it's accepted for what it was," Dio told the magazine. "It was a more serious thing at the time, when I was with [BLACK] SABBATH. That was a band that was very dark, and that's what I wanted it to be. It was symbol of the darkness of that band, and not something to be passed on to BRITNEY SPEARS! An invention is an invention, I guess. It's become so damn polluted now. The people who are doing it don't know what it means and they have no idea that they shouldn't be doing it.
"It's a trend," Dio added."It's a popular trend and so it will probably become like the hula hoop. During a show, I sometimes think 'Maybe I won't do that tonight', because it's become so damn ludicrous now. Everyone's doing it and it has no meaning anymore. Now I wait until two or three songs into the show, and until there's a stop in the music and I'm doing something on my own, and then the response is incredible because people are wanting that from me. It's like OZZY and the peace sign, you know? So I never find myself not doing it, but I'm definitely doing it less and less these days.
"The point is that you can't just flash it. You have to have a face that goes with it. There has to be some emotion behind it. It can't just be the raising of the arm, trying to get your fingers in the right position. And you'll notice that a lot of people are using the thumb now, too. When the thumb comes out it means 'I love you' either in Hawaiian or in sign language - I'm not sure which! So that's proof, once again, that these celebrities don't really have a clue. As stupid as this might sound, I never once did that on stage unless it was to punctuate something that was a little more dark. So when I did it, it was never about starting a trend. It's a natural thing for me to do. It's important to know that it's not something I did frivolously it was just a spontaneous response to something that I sang. A lot of times, bending of the knees always puts it in a slightly different perspective. It puts you in the Sumo position. Now you're ready to charge!"

A direct “QUOTE” from the Aug 5, 1997 issue of SUN

WORLD LEADERS USE IT - SO CAN YOU
SECRET SIGN WARDS OFF EVIL
By G.A. Gunn

A SECRET SIGN which protects against the evil eye is being used by political leaders all over the world. Now experts say the powerful hand gesture can work just as well for you as it does for President Bill Clinton. "You don't have to be a president or national leader to reap the benefits of this mystic symbol," says researcher and author Michael Pollock. "Anyone who makes the 'bull-sign' - also known as the horns - is instantly surrounded by an aura of protection. Evil thoughts, spells or vibrations cannot penetrate this ancient force field." The sign is the symbol of one of the world's most powerful and secret societies, The Fellowship Of Friends. It was founded centuries ago by nobles, psychics and philosophers who learned to unlock the protective power of the constellation Taurus. Membership is open to all world leaders - even the most despised dictators. "Iraqi president Saddam Hussein and Cuban leader Fidel Castro are society members," says Pollock. "Saddam and Fidel somehow owe their ability for survival to the strange power of the sign. The horns will provide protection for anyone, even if they are evil incarnate." The hand gesture is made by folding down the middle two fingers to the tips to touch the palms. The raised index and pinky fingers leave you with the look for bull horns, the sign of Taurus, which is known for its strength of mind, body and will. The sign can be used for protection from crowds or a specific person. "If you pay attention, you'll see world leaders making the defensive gesture as they approach a crowd," says Pollock. (Picture of Clinton & Castro using sign in header) "Once the invisible protective barrier is in place, the leader knows he cannot be harmed by actions, words or psychic energy hurled his way. "If John F. Kennedy had known about the sign before riding through Dallas, he might have survived. Ronald Reagan used it instinctually just moments before he was shot - and lived! That's proof that the bull sign is a powerful survival tool. And it can help you withstand the onslaught of everyday evils, too." The experts advise everyone to call on the power of the bull when coming in contact with a crowd. "It works wonders against pickpockets and muggers," says Pollock. "Whenever you're in a awkward situation or confronted by someone who makes you feel uncomfortable, protect yourself in a flash with this handy sign."

The following article was originally published by the Ear Candy magazine:

Over the last few years there have been two artists that have claimed to have created the famous heavy metal "devil's horns" hand signal: Ronnie James Dio (BLACK SABBATH) and Gene Simmons (KISS).

You know the "devil's horns" signal? It is the universal heavy metal sign for "you rock", usually used in unison with the music at heavy metal concerts. Not to get satanical or anything, but the sign is supposed to represent the sign of the beast, with horns represented by the index finger and pinkie raised. If you raise both hands with this sign, the band "really rocks!"

That are two heavy metal rockers from the '70s both laying claim. Ronnie James Dio claimed to have created the gesture before joining BLACK SABBATH in 1978. Gene Simmons also claims credit, writing in his 2002 autobiography that it was the bass-playing demon of KISS that created the international heavy metal symbol. So there is no evidence that the symbol was created earlier than the '70s...or is there?!

We have discovered irrefutable photographic evidence that is was none other than Beatle John Lennon that created the famous sign in 1967. Furthermore, it was even used in animation for the BEATLES "Yellow Submarine" (just check the original vinyl album cover). These are two photographic images that can be tied down to specific years PRIOR to the '70s.

The photo of Lennon giving the sign appeared in one of the first BEATLES pictures in which the band promoted the upcoming "Yellow Submarine" animated movie. Since the BEATLES changed appearance often and were one of the most photographed icons of the '60s, it is possible to date the photo between June and October of '67. "Yellow Submarine" was being animated between '67 & '68, so the cartoon image of John flashing the heavy metal sign can also be verified date-wise. Although the film "Yellow Submarine" was released in 1968, the vinyl album (on which one can clearly see Lennon displaying the sign) was not released in the U.S. until 1969. But that is still years before Ronnie James Dio or Gene Simmons!

What other ties does Lennon have to heavy metal? Well, he claimed that the BEATLES song, "Ticket To Ride" was "one of the earliest heavy metal records ever made". How fitting that it was Lennon who also created the best-known symbol of heavy metal!

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