Phil Anselmo On Dimebag Darrell: “I Think About Him So Much.”

DOWN’s Phil Anselmo spoke recently to Bostonherald online, discussing various subjects, including his past years as the frontman for PANTERA. Here are a few excerpts from the conversation:

“Those were the best days of my (expletive) life, really,” said Anselmo, his scarred, baritone voice booming through the phone from his New Orleans home. I think, of course, of what could have been. A big lesson to be learned here is we were all very, very young men. I guess a lack of communication between any team or any group of people that are out to accomplish something is bound to destroy it.”

Dime

“I think about him so much,” said Anselmo, who dedicates the song “Lifer” to Dimebag at each show. “He was that guitar. He was that stage. He was meant to do exactly what he was doing and he did it 1,000 percent.”

Anselmo reaches out to Dime’s brother, PANTERA drumming great Vinnie Paul:

“My olive branch is always extended to that fellow. I love him. I feel his pain. I know his brother was his closest friend. If we were in a position to communicate and talk things out, I’d be on the first plane.”

Anselmo goes on to acknowledge his own drug problems contributed to the band’s demise.

“I know I was very guilty,” he said. “But when you’re young, your path gets blurry. It should have been us, one-on-one, talking. It might have turned out different.”