Darrell Abbott was murdered eleven years ago today at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus. He was performing with his brother Vinnie in the band Damageplan when his assassin climbed on stage and fired three shots from a 9mm Beretta into Darrell’s head. The gunman killed three more people – Jeff Thompson, Erin Halk and Nathan Bray – before he was killed by Columbus Police Officer James Niggemeyer. Darrell was 38 years old.

Originally known as “Diamond” Darrell Abbott, he and his brother Vinnie formed the band Pantera in 1981. They were a glam or hair metal band for a few years but eventually evolved into the greatest heavy metal band of the 1990s. Darrell officially adopted the moniker for which he is most famous, “Dimebag”, around the time of the release of their album, “Far Beyond Driven”, in 1994.

Dime was influenced by a number of guitarists, including Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top, Joe Satriani, Randy Rhoads from Quiet Riot and Ozzy Osbourne’s band, Pete Willis from Def Leppard, Eddie Van Halen and Tony Iommi from Black Sabbath. There was one guitarist that inspired Dime more than any other and that was Ace Frehley from KISS. Dime had a tattoo of Ace and admitted many times that if there were no Ace Frehley there would have been no Dimebag Darrell. He was buried in a KISS coffin when he was laid to rest in Moore Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Arlington, Texas.

Dime was a larger than life character who was seldom seen without a drink in his hand and a smile on his face. As impressive as his guitar playing was, the outpouring of grief from the music world showed what kind of man he was. His funeral was a who’s who of rock music but the stories that were told centered much more around who Dime was rather than what he did. He was remembered by all in attendance as a good-hearted, fun loving man that would give the shirt off his back to a friend in need.

Getcha Pull of Dime’s favorite drink and remember him by rocking out to some of his greatest riffs.

Pantera – “Floods” off the album “The Great Southern Trendkill” 1996:

Pantera – “Domination” off the album “Cowboys From Hell” 1990:

Pantera - “Walk” off the album “Vulgar Display of Power” 1992:

Pantera – “I’m Broken” off the album “Far Beyond Driven” 1994:

Dime’s 12 favorite songs.