In Tribute Featured Artist: "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott

by Scott J. Rich
Staff Writer

"Dimebag" Darrell Abbot Picture Appears Courtey of Terie Gillaspy

Dimebag Darrell Abbott and his brother, Vinnie Paul, formed Pantera in 1982. The brothers released four albums when Dimebag was still a teen. These albums were considered to be sub-quality, Kiss-like sounding freshman attempts but were part of a learning experience for the band as they would later discover. Dimebag was the son of a country and western songwriter and producer Jerry Abbott, who was influencial in getting his sons into the fine world of music. Dimebag first started listening to Merle Haggard and the likes but shifted as his true influences like Ace Frehley from Kiss and Eddie Van Halen came into the music spotlight. He wanted to make his own style; one of the heaviest and hardest he could while never bending or compromising in any way. I believe he truly accomplished that goal.

In 1988, Philip Anselmo joined the band. And the style everyone knows today as Pantera was born. They stayed away from their first four albums and continued to grow as one of the most uncompromising metal bands out there. They did that. They became one of the most exciting bands to see live that the metal world has ever seen. They played, toured, and partied for 15 years together, and it seemed like it would never end. They had sold more than 10 million albums and never sacrificed style to commercialism. They built as loyal a fan base as anyone ever had.

As the 2000 approached, so did the beginning of the end for Pantera. Philip Anselmo had other things on his mind. He was working on his own side project, and the band began infighting both in and out of the media. Philip blames the media and journalists, in general, for all of the things leading to the breakup of Pantera. It was reported that brothers Vinnie and Dimebag felt they had been screwed as the band officially ended its reign as a heavy metal force in 2002 after two years of basically bickering and accomplishing nothing. Philip had his project Superjoint Ritual. I’ve never heard of them have you? And Dime and Vinnie spent time reinventing themselves and staying away from the music of their past.

After losing his gig as guitarist in the band Halford as Rob went back to Judas Priest, Patrick Lachman gave Dimebag a call, and they proceeded from there to form Damageplan. They worked well together, and the bond was immediate. They spent time working, and recording, partying, and outright destroying Dimebag's house, where his studio was located. The album, New Found Power, was the result, and in it, the band had a winner and what appeared to be an aspiring new beginning. Until December 8, 2004, when they went on the stage of the nightclub Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, where gunman Nathan Gale, a 6' 3", 225 lb., crazed Pantera fan jumped on the stage, said something in regards to Pantera, and started shooting, ending Dimebag's life. The band's bodyguard Jeff Thompson, 40, gave his life trying to save the band, and Nathan Bray, 23, a fan, and Erin Halk, 29, a club security worker, died that night as well. Officer James Niggemeyer responded to a 911 call and shot and killed Gale with a single shotgun blast, while Gale was holding a hostage.

People who knew Dimebag described him as the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back. It was said if you had a drink with this man, you were automatically bonded with him, and he would accept you like you were family. Ozzy Osbourne, Eddie Van Halen, Zakk Wylde, and members of Slipknot, Corey Taylor, Jim Root and Paul Gray were some of the musicians who attended Dimebag's funeral service. Jerry Cantrell, formerly of Alice In Chains, performed a couple of acoustic songs as well. Philip Anselmo made the trip to Dallas to attend but was turned away by the family. It was said Dime was buried in a "KISS KASKET." He will be sadly missed and loved by family, friends and fans alike. But he will never be forgotten as his music and influence will remain throughout time. GOD BLESS and Rest In Peace, Dimebag.
Dimebag Darrell Abbott: August 20, 1966-
December 8, 2004

Anyone interested in making a donation to the family may send their checks to:
Dimebag Darrell Memorial Fund
110 SW Thomas
Burleson, Texas 76028

Debt - Credit Card Consolidation - Car Insurance - Internet Marketing