December 8th, 2004 is a day that will live with me forever. I listen in disbelief as the DJ says the terrible words”Dimebag Darrell was shot to death tonight in an Ohio nightclub”. If only it was some kind of hoax, but as the instant media hype would soon prove, our Cowboy from Hell was gone forever.
In a cruel irony, on the 24th anniversary of the John Lennon shooting
Darrell “Dimebag” Abbott was killed by a schizophrenic Pantera fan who jumped onstage during Damage Plan’s set and shot Darrell five times in the head at point blank range before turning on the crowd and killing Erin Halk, Nathan Bray, and DP’s security man Jeff “Mayhem” Thompson who died trying to protect the band. Also injured was tour manager Chris Paluska and Guitar Tech John “Kat” Brooks. Eventually the shooter was fatally shot by police.
One of the saddest reports made in the days to come was that after the shooting fans rushed to Dimebag’s aid, performing CPR and kissing his hands and feet like a fallen god. I cry every time that vision comes to mind.
I am horrified and utterly devastated by this news. The tragedy has left the music community reeling. I can honestly say this is the hardest feature I have ever written. I realize that I am not the only one. Dimebag affected people everywhere, with his life, his music, and his indomitable spirit.
Several weeks ago, Damage Plan played Portland and for the second time in my life, I had the opportunity to meet Darrell, who was as amazing in real life as he was on stage. I will never forget the show that night; they brought out huge bottles of Crown Royal and literally poured them down everyone’s throats. Then during "Walk”, they had everyone come up on stage and sing; like 20 people were up there, it was total chaos. Dimebag was onstage playing solo long after the rest of the band had left, when he was finally done he threw his guitar across the stage at his tech. He came off the stage with the hugest smile on his face. It was a show I will never forget, and I felt that way long before his death. Would it have affected me this much if I hadn’t of had this personal experience with him? The answer is definitely. Pantera was the soundtrack to my youth. It put a name to the rage I felt inside and it gave me an outlet to express it. The man was a legend and meeting him fulfilled a lifelong dream for me. I might not have been his friend, he may never have remembered my face but he meant something to me, a symbol of my youth and a part of the most amazing metal band that ever was.
There are so many changes that are going to come from this, for fans and venue security, but mostly for the musicians who must now fear for their lives when they take the stage. What if security who was chasing him had managed to take him down? What if they had metal detectors at the door? None of the “What if’s” are going to bring him back. I believe if we are laying blame it should be with the government, there are millions of mentally ill people in the United States who go untreated and commit crimes like this because of the lack of mental health resources.
In the midst of it all, everyone is blaming Ex Pantera vocalist Phil Anselmo as well. I think that his conscience is punishment enough after comments he made in the media shortly before Dime’s death. Regardless of their past history, at one time these men were brothers, and I feel his pain.
The sad truth is that he died doing what he loved. It is my greatest wish that he felt nothing, that he did not know the insanity of what took place. The legendary guitarist and Cowboy from hell that is loved by an army of thousands is gone. I never thought when I began working in music that my heart could be broken by the death of one of the musicians I covered, but it has been. The most influential guitar player in metal, a legend and pioneer of music is gone. He will be remembered forever
They might have taken his life,
But his music will live on forever.
Never Forget
Darrell “Dimebag” Abbott
Aug 20th, I966 To Dec 8th 2004
RIP
“Cemetery Gates”…..Pantera
Sometimes when I’m alone,
I wonder aloud
If you’re watching over me
Some place far abound.
I must reverse my life
I can’t live in the past.
Then set my soul free,
Belong to me at last.
Through all those complex years
I thought I was alone.
I didn’t care to look around
And make this world my own...
And when he died
I should’ve cried and spared myself some pain.
You left me incomplete,
All alone as the memories still remain.
The way we were,
The chance to save my soul...
And my concern is now in vain.
Believe the word,
I will unlock my door...
And pass the cemetery... gates
THIS ARTICLE IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMBERS OF INFLIKT
For those people wishing to make a donation in Dimebag's name, two special memorial funds have been established. The Dimebag Darrell Memorial Fund has been set up to cover bereavement and medical expenses for John "Kat" Brooks, Chris Paluska, and Jeffrey "Mayhem" Thompson. Please make checks payable to "The Dimebag Darrell Memorial Fund". Donations can be sent to the mail-only address:
Dimebag Darrell Memorial Fund
110 SW Thomas
Burleson, TX 76028
A special fund has also been set up through VH1's Save The Music Foundation.
VH1 Save The Music Foundation
1515 Broadway, 20th Floor
New York, NY 10036
