DIMEBAG DARRELL – Six Years Gone

The heavy metal world lost one of its greatest all-time guitar players when Arlington, Texas (USA) native Darrell Lance Abbott aka “Dimebag” of legendary groove metal act PANTERA was murdered on stage (along with Nathan Bray, Jeff “Mayhem” Thompson, and Erin Halk) on the night of December 8, 2004 in Columbus, Ohio at the Alrosa Villa nightclub while performing in a newly formed band with his brother Vinnie Paul Abbott entitled DAMAGEPLAN.

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Dime had an innovative style on the electric guitar that will never be duplicated . His heavy as all get out riffs and face shredding solos on PANTERA classics like “This Love” or “The Art of Shredding” will be forever remembered, along with that great sense of humor he possessed.

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All this said, Dime’s incredible musical legacy in rock is only surpassed by his ability to touch fans as a person.

And here we are, six years after his tragic passing, still mourning his loss… wondering what was to come from the six strings of Darrell Abbott. After his absolutely masterful guitar work on 2000’s Reinventing The Steel, it seems impossible to think that Dime could have gotten any more stellar, but those who have followed his playing know that he still had his best years ahead… and for that, true sadness on such a day of remembrance only seems befitting.

For you see, Dime wasn’t just some rock star who played in a world famous band. He was of the people, for the people… and he never forgot that.

Perhaps Dime said it best on his last gig in his home state of Texas at The Ridgelea Theater in Fort Worth when he looked around at the crowd while performing with DAMAGEPLAN and said into the microphone:

“We’re all getting a little bit balder and older… but we’re still doing it, man.”

Well, Dime… your most devoted fans are still doing it, man. We will never forget you, brother. On this day we will honor and celebrate your life and music with the same passion you showed us… all those years. Getcha Pull!

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