Ten years on from the onstage murder that killed Pantera legendary “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, Billboard spoke to the guitarist’s family, loved ones, family members and other rock stars about the hole the shredder’s death has caused in the world of metal and their lives. In this article, Black Label Society leader and former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde recalls the fun-loving personality of his friend.
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You first saw Dimebag in the Castle Donington Monsters of Rock festival in 1994, don’t you think?
Yeah, I first met Dime at Donington. The headliner was Pantera and then Extreme and finally Aerosmith. I was joking around with”Extreme guitarist” Nuno Bettencourtand he was like, “Are you gonna be doing the death-metal version of ‘More Than Words’ today?” We were all laughing up!
Pantera’s live show is unbeatable by any other live show. The sheer power that radiated from the stage was astonishing, it actually was hilarious! It’s like hearing people talk about having seen Van Halen back in the past such as the ’78 and ’79 years ago and Led Zeppelinat the Fillmore when they first made their debut. It was a bit ridiculous, as in, “Oh my God!! !” You knew that you were watching history unfold and that these musicians were unique. The sheer power emanating from onto the stage and also the musical talent as well. It was something like Van Halen on steroids.
What would you say about Dime as an individual?
If he did not play the guitar but he’d still be among your most cherished acquaintances, simply because he was such a sweet person. He was genuinely happy as Blutarsky from Animal House; it was possible to have the worst day ever and then Dime would come into the room, and the party began! [Laughs.] He would always say, “I ain’t got time to be depressed — let’s have a good time!” He was The Rat Pack all in one man He had Dean, Frank, Sammy and the entire Rat Pack in one human being! [Laughs.]
Did you notice any difference between the Dimebag you saw on stage as opposed to the Dimebag you had as a friend?
None. The clothes he wore the moment he woke up were the same clothes he wore to the stage with. [Laughs.] Why you bother changing? This will only increase the your time waiting in line!
Black Label Society Lands First No. 1 Position on Top Rock Albums Chart
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What was it about Dimebag’s play that made him stand out?
He was as revolutionary with his riffs , as Black Sabbath guitarist[Black Sabbath guitarist] Tony Iommi was with his riffsand he was the designer of the model for this particular style of music.
I’m always saying I always say that Pantera was one of the Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath of this style of music -as well as The Beatles and the Stones from the time. It’s not even a debate! You have great bands , and then there are bands that transformed the game. Every band that has followed — such as Meshuggah as well as Lamb of God — have a model to follow. it all is Pantera. In terms of production, you can utilize the Pantera records as the basis for a Model-T Ford for extreme metal.