Darrell Lance Abbott

Darrell Lance Abbott aka Dimebag Darrell was easily one of the most influential metal guitarists of all time. He played in the metal band Pantera and later in his career with Damageplan, though while playing on stage with Damageplan one night his life tragically ended when he was shot and killed. Throughout his life he inspired many people through music and his great attitude in life.

Pantera when they were a glam metal band (www.google.com)

Born August 20 1966, Darrell was born to Carolyn and Jerry Abbott, a country musician and producer. Being around his fathers producing business he was exposed to music and the recording process. So at 12 he decided to take up guitar, inspired by the famous rock group KISS. His first guitar was a Hondo Les Paul he got with a small amp. Later he won a series of local guitar competitions, where in one he was awarded his first Dean ML. Coincidentally, his father had bought him a cherryburst finish Dean ML standard the morning before the competition, so he had ended up with two Dean ML's. These and another contest prize, his first Randall amplifier, are two ingredients that became the staple of his signature style and sound.

In 1981 he and his brother Vinnie Paul (who played drums) formed Pantera which originally was a glam band but later formed into a thrash metal band. Though it wasn't until 1990 that the band broke through and got a major record deal, and came out with their first major album Cowboys from Hell. Originally Darrell's nickname was Diamond Darrell but with their second album Vulgar Display of Power He changed his nickname to Dimebag Darrell.

Darrell quickly became a guitar idol and wrote columns for Guitar World called riffer madness where he gave tips and showed how to play his songs. But soon tensions in Pantera started to build due to singer Phil Anselmo's heroin addiction and the band eventually broke up in 2003. Darrell, his brother, and their bassist Rex soon started a new band Damageplan. December 8, 2004 while performing on stage he was shot and killed by an enraged Pantera fan. His death was a great loss to music and almost every metal guitarist or band, many people pay tribute to him an state him as the best metal guitarist to ever live.

R.I.P. Dime

Everyone has their reasons but Darrell is a hero to me because his music and performances were meaningful and had a power to them that no one can match. His guitar playing was absolutely amazing, revolutionary, and incredibly unique and to this day i cannot find anyone with the style, attitude, and power that his guitar playing has. His life may have ended early but his music will continue on forever through every single fan and future fan and someone who reaches that many people will always be a hero in my eyes, R.I.P. Dime.