Dimebag Darrell Abbott 1966-2004

I was blown away when I heard the news about the passing of "Dimebag" on December 8th. He was truly a great guitar player and musician who's style inspired a generation of metal heads such as myself.

To his tribute I will say this; The night he was murdered, he was up on stage in a small nightclub in Ohio, his guitar in his hands, playing his heart out to approximately 250 people. A lot of bands would have passed on that gig, a lot of musicians would have scoffed at the idea. Not Damage Plan, not Dimebag. Whether he was playing to an arena full of freaks or to a small crowd of eager Metalheads in an obscure Ohio nightclub, Dimebag would always give it his all. He owned the guitar. He could make it crunch, and thunder, and scream. He played the music for the fans. He loved it, and we loved him for it. Hell, I don't know a single guitarist that hasn't borrowed a lick from the man. And while it's true that the music he created will continue to inspire future generations, his presence in this world will be sorely missed.

My sincerest sympathies to the family and friends of Darrell Abbott and the other victims of this horrible tragedy; Damageplan bodyguard Jeff Thompson, 40; fan Nathan Bray, 23; and Erin Halk, 29, who worked at the club.

"Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, 1966-2004
He was seriously fu**ing Metal!