DIMEBAG DARRELL – Gone 12 Years Ago Today

Legendary PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist, “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, of Arlington, Texas, lost his life on the stage 12 years ago today on this date, while performing at Alrosa Villa club in Columbus, Ohio on the evening of December 8, 2004. He was only 38 years old. A mentally ill former Marine – who had been stalking the Abbott brothers for months, due to a delusional belief he thought they were stealing lyrics he wrote – stormed the stage and shot Dime 5 times at point blank range. The audience at first believed it was all a part of the show. Several brave people rushed to help the fallen guitar hero, however, the shooter turned his gun and ended more innocenet lives, including DAMAGEPLAN bodyguard, Jeff “Mayhem” Thompson, club security Erin Halk, and audience member, Nathan Bray.

The world not only lost a music genius on December 8, 2004… it lost a great person.

Dimebag reached heights on the guitar that very few men have ever achieved. Besides selling millions of records during the nineties at a time when metal music had dropped off big time in its popularity, Dime gave the fans his all when he performed live across the globe. Dime never put himself above anyone else. He always kept it real with fans and the media. He was always supporting the up-and-coming bands. “Initially, I just used the guitar as a prop. I’d pose with it in front of a mirror in my Kiss makeup when I was skipping school,” Dime confessed once in telling his story. “If you are honest and stay true to what you believe in, you can’t fuckin’ lose.”

After a dozen years since his passing, the metal world still feels an enormous void from his passing – and will never truly heal from this tragic event.

“Bottom line: You’ve got Hendrix, you’ve got Van Halen, you’ve got Rhoads and you’ve got Dimebag Darrell. His influence will be felt forever. And he was the most genuine, kindest guy you ever met.” – Zakk Wylde