Dimebag Darrell

Dimebag performing w/Pantera @ Ozzfest 2000. Photo: S. Cabral.

Thousands of people die every day. But what eludes me is how so many people who have contributed significantly to our culture have been silenced in such a violent and untimely way. I'm sad to report that guitarist Dimebag Darrell, founder of Pantera and more recently Damageplan, is the latest on that tragic list.

This past Wednesday, Dec. 8, on the eve of the anniversary of the John Lennon shooting, psychotic fan Nathan Gale brutally murdered "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott at Columbus, Ohio nightclub Alrosa Villa. According to reports, the disturbed 25-year-old Gale was not only obsessed with Dime's former band Pantera, but also held a severe grudge toward the guitarist for breaking up the Texas quartet (and, apparently, for forming new band Damageplan). Gale jumped onstage as Damageplan began their set last Wednesday, taking out several people and wounding drummer Vinnie Paul. Gale shot Dime five times in the head, point-blank, before a cop ended the rampage with a bullet. Nice work, you stupid bastard, now there definitely won't be a reunion.

I'm glad to say that I experienced Pantera live on several occasions. The two most memorable times being September 10, 1997 at Roseland, NYC and February 5, 1999 with Black Sabbath at NJ's Meadowlands. At Roseland, the band held the room by its collective cajones; as the energy overflowed out of the venue, Pantera's formidable presence was felt all around. Dime rocked a confederate flag guitar and singer Phil Anselmo referred to his "Italian ass." These guys didn't give two shits about political correctness, and you just had to respect that no matter what.

In true metal form, Dime tossed cups of beer at the V.I.P. section where music industry people sat. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. It was a humorous, ballsy move, and made the show that much better.

We got our asses kicked to the back of the arena when Black Sabbath, Pantera and The Deftones came to destroy NJ. It was loud, evil-sounding and intense; the perfect metal show. The bill was almost too good to be true, and all three bands proved themselves to be masters of heavy music. The image of Dime on stage, a true guitar hero with hair in face and back to a wall of Marshall stacks, is forever burned into my brain.

After two decades of making metal mayhem together, members of Pantera began pursuing other projects several years ago, with singer Philip Anselmo joining Superjoint Ritual and Down. Dime and brother Vinnie formed Damageplan in 2003, and toured to support their debut, New Found Power.

Dime was known not only for embodying the looks, the lifestyle and the fuck-you attitude of metal, but also for being a helluva nice guy. Although I was barely out of diapers when John Lennon's murder turned the planet on its ear, I do recall the feeling of sorrow accompanied by collective dread. Although I love the Beatles, I have probably listened to Pantera much more over the past ten years. There are very few things in life more satisfying than blasting Dime's raw, dirty guitar riffs through the ol' headphones.

Dime's untimely fate is a horrible tragedy, met by metal fans mourning around the world. At only 38 years old, the guitarist had so much more ahead of him; at least he lasted long enough to shape heavy metal with amazing performances and ear-shattering recordings with Pantera, Damageplan and others. Dimebag Darrell may be gone, but the noise he made will ring in our ears forever.

R.I.P., brother. You will be sorely missed.

--> Damageplan

--> Pantera