Remembering Dimebag Darrell on the 10th Anniversary of His Death

In a person's life their are events that get burned into our memories forever, some good and some bad. And in my life, several of my long lasting memories are tied to the one and only Dimebag Darrell Abbott. On this day, December 8th, back in 2004, the nicest and kindest guy on the planet was gunned down by some whacko in a night club. It was a sad day that I'll always remember. I remember the pain, the anxiety, and the feeling that I lost a huge piece of my life. But that event pales in comparison to all great things that I remember from Sir Red Beard. 

I can trace my link to Dime all the way back to March of 1994. The moment that changed my life forever. I was probably, hell I don't know...12 or 13 or something...and I just recently discovered Rock. I was listening to Motley Crue, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Alice Cooper and stuff like that. I went into the local record store (we still had those in 94) to buy the new album from Alice in Chains 'Jar of Flies'.

When I went to check out, the guy behind the counter asked me, 'Do you really want to buy this?' Guess he wasn't a big AIC guy. And me, forever being curious, said 'kinda, but what do you suggest.' This was a key moment in my life. Because the guy behind the counter tossed aside the Alice in Chains and slapped a copy of 'Far Beyond Driven' in my hands. It was nothing like I ever heard before. It was brutal and raw and featured some of the best guitar work I ever heard.

From that moment on, I was hooked. I bought every Pantera record I could. I bought t-shirts, stickers for my skateboard and guitar...anything I could get my hands on. Then came the magical moment when I got into radio and I finally got to meet the guys in the band.

Vinnie was kinda of a dick. Phil was MIA. Rex was cool and quiet. But Dime lit up the room in a way I never seen before. The guy was pure heart and pure fun. He might have been piss drunk but he made everyone, including the lowly street team guy (i.e. me)  who was just there to carry the DJ's bags, feel at home and like a rockstar.

And since then, I grew up and my career progressed, and I was lucky enough to run into Dime from time to time. Sometimes it was seeing him and Vinnie at a bar in Dallas or interviewing him on the phone for whatever reason. He has and always will be one of the best interviews I've ever done. It wasn't like interview a rockstar, it was like catching up with your best friend. He just made everything so easy.

Then, came his tragic death in 2004. I remember seeing the news report and just being completely devastated. It wasn't like we were close friends who hung out on the weekends and talked on the phone, but Dime had a way of making you feel like you were the best of friends. It was brutal.

In recent years, I've talked to Vinnie, Rex, and Phil both on and off air, and even though they have their differences, they all say the same thing: Dimebag was the nicest and kindest guy on the planet.

So, with that memory in mind, let's not grieve over his death. Let's celebrate the guy's life. He was kind, he had a heart of gold, and liked to have a damn good time. So today, do something nice for others, treat everyone like they are important, and fix up a black tooth grin in honor of Dime. Getcha Pull!