Photo: Gries/Getty
Five years ago today, Pantera and Damageplan guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott was killed onstage during a concert in Ohio by a deranged fan. It was an event that shook rock & roll to its core: it robbed the world of a guitar great and gave every musician who steps on a stage pause. Dimebag is still considered one of the greatest guitarists of his era and genre, and a whole new generation of heavy metal acts and fans list Abbott among their chief influences.
“The shit he did, that’s what got me into heavy music — Vulgar Display of Power,” Korn’s Jonathan Davis told RS at last year’s OzzFest fest, which featured an all-star jam in honor of Abbott. “The first time I ever saw them live, before Korn was even signed, it was Pantera and Sepultura at Irvine Meadows in L.A. They came out, started the first song, the curtain dropped, and me and Fieldy just started crying. We looked at each other and we had tears in our eyes because it was so fucking intense and heavy and sick.”
Look back RS‘ coverage of Abbott’s life and career here:
• Obituary: Dimebag Darrell Abbott
• Special Report: Five Dead in Ohio
• Jonathan Davis, Serj Tankian Remember Dimebag at Ozzfest
• Dimebag Darrell Abbott Honored With Ozzfest Superjam
Article Source: Rolling Stone : Rock and Roll Daily