Michael James Gonsalves was well known to heavy metal fans. After all, he was "Dr. Metal," the disc jockey at the local WHJY radio station.

Gonsalves, 40, worked at WHJY for more than 17 years. He started as the host of Metal Zone on Saturday nights. That show is the longest-running continuous heavy-metal radio show in the country.

He also hosted a weekly event called "Legs and Eggs," for third-shifters, at the Foxy Lady, in Providence, The Providence Journal reported.

Before WHJY, Gonsalves was music director at WXIN, the station at Rhode Island College. He also was a disc jockey at the United Skates of America roller rink in East Providence.

Gonsalves played in the McColl Softball League in Lincoln, and for the WHJY softball team. One of his teammates recalled being tattooed by one of his hits.

"He hit a line-drive in my direction . . . sent me to the emergency room, and the stitches from the ball were embedded in my kneecap," said Michele Maker, promotions director at WHJY.

Gonsalves lived in Warwick, and was the co-owner of All Star Sports Cards and Comics, in North Providence.