Ronnie James Dio has often taken a laid back approach about the fact that he invented (or at least appropriated from Italian Catholic folklore), the use of the "horns" hand signal within the world of heavy metal. But damn, for a guy who is humble and laid back about it... he sure talks about it a whole lot. Though not referenced in this interview, a debate exists as to who used the sign first, Dio or Gene Simmons. Gene claims he first used it on the cover of the Kiss album Love Gun. It should be noted that:
1. The cover for Love Gun is a painting, so the painter/illustrator should be credited, note Gene.
2. Said cover also depicts Peter Criss as being roughly 6'1", and having muscular arms.... so you know it's fictional at best.
3. Gene Simmons is a raging lunatic, and a douche (proof here.)
4. The cover does have an amazingly homoerotic quality to it. Just look at Paul and Peter's poses. Oh my.
John Lennon can be seen to be giving the horns on the inside gatefold of the Sgt. Pepper's album from 1967.
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