In a blink of an eye, one person’s selfish act of insanity took the life of a legend, a master axeman – one of the top guitarists in the entire heavy metal genre. Not only was Dimebag Darrell a highly respected musician, he was known as a fun, good-natured, generous man who relished his fans and cherished his family and friends. This senseless tragedy has left an empty space in the world, for all of us touched by his music and him personally. December 8th, 2004 will forever be emblazened in our minds as the day we lost a music hero…

“Dimebag” Darrell, born Darrell Lance Abbott, was born in Dallas, TX on August 20th, 1966. He was raised just outside of Dallas his entire life. His father, Jerry Abbott, was the owner of a country recording studio, where Darrell and his brother and lifelong music partner, drummer Vinnie Paul, born Vincent Paul Abbott, were introduced to the world of music. Their father’s influence sank deep into their blood and were musicians in their own right from an early age.

Dimebag and Vinnie formed Pantera, over 20 years ago, in 1983 with bassist Rex Brown, creating three CDs with two different vocalists. However, it wasn’t until vocalist Phillip Anselmo joined the band in 1988 when Pantera began to fully culminate, resulting in 1990’s album, Cowboys From Hell, which put the Abbott brothers on the map. By the time 1992 rolled around and the band released Vulgar Display of Power, guitarist Dimebag Darrell was already being ranked in legendary axe-shredding status. Pantera’s 1994 release, Far Beyond Driven, shocked critics and fans alike after charting #1 on Billboard. 1996’s The Great Southern Trendkill earns the band their first Grammy nomination for Suicide Note, Pt. 1,” and 1997 echoes history as the release of Official Live: 101 Proof earns them yet another Grammy nod for their live version of “Cemetary Gates.” 2000 sees Pantera’s last studio album, Reinventing the Steel.

After a well-known hiatus, the band reorganizes into the form of Damageplan in 2003, bringing in Patrick Lachman on vocals and Bobzilla on bass. Damageplan debut their album, New Found Power in May 2004, followed by non-stop touring to support the effort...

The family of "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, former guitarist for heavy metal band Pantera, has requested that his funeral arrangements remain private, according to officials at Moore Funeral Home in Arlington, TX. A public memorial for will be held at the Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday, December 14 beginning at 8:00 p.m. at:

Arlington Convention Center
1200 Ballpark Way
Arlington, TX
(817) 459-5000.

On behalf of everyone here at KNAC.COM, each and every one of us send our deepest, heartfelt condolences to Vinnie Paul, his father Jerry, longtime girlfriend Rita, Pat Lachman and Bobzilla, and everyone who had lifelong friendships with the almighty Dimebag Darrell. Some of us knew him well over the years, and are deeply affected by this whole devastating experience. We promise to keep the music of Dimebag alive…

(Photo courtesy of Fake111)