We miss you, Dimebag.

[Deleted]

Five years ago today, I woke up to hear the complete terrible news from my brother that some nutjob by the name of Nathan Gale walked onstage during the beginning of Damageplan's set and shot up "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, killing him.

Abbott was shot five times, including once in the head, killing him instantly. Damageplan's drum technician, John "Kat" Brooks, and tour manager, Chris Paluska, were injured. The killer fired a total of fifteen shots, taking the time to reload once and remaining silent throughout the shooting. To avoid being injured or killed himself, Abbott's brother and bandmate, Vinnie Paul, was taken to the bar/kitchen on the other side of the club. Jeff "Mayhem" Thompson, the band's head of security, was also killed in the incident while engaging in hand-to-hand combat with the killer. Alrosa Villa employee Erin Halk was killed after charging the killer after running out of bullets, expecting the killer to reload more slowly than he actually did. Audience member Nathan Bray was killed while trying to perform CPR on Dimebag and Mayhem.

Brooks scuffled with the killer onstage but was overpowered and taken hostage in a headlock position. Brooks was shot several times (once in the right hand, his right leg, and his right side) while attempting to get the gun away from the killer. Five police officers came in the front entrance, led by Officer Rick Crum, and moved toward the stage. Officer James D. Niggemeyer came in through the back door, behind the stage. The killer only saw the officers in front of the stage; he never saw Officer Niggemeyer. Niggemeyer armed with a 12 gauge Remington 870 shotgun approached the killer from the opposite side of the stage, to avoid hitting the hostage Niggemeyer fired a single shot striking the killer in the face. the killer was found to have 35 rounds of ammunition remaining. Nurse and audience member Mindy Reece, 28, went to the aid of Abbott. She and another fan administered CPR until paramedics arrived, but were unable to revive him.

In May 2005, Officer Niggemeyer testified before the Franklin County grand jury, which is routine procedure in Franklin County after a police shooting. The grand jury did not indict Niggemeyer, finding that his actions were justified. Niggemeyer received a commendation from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission for his outstanding police work in time of crisis as well as the National Rifle Association award as 2005 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. The five other officers that were first on the scene received Ohio distinguished law enforcement medals for their efforts.

We miss you.

[Johawn]

Dimebag always just seemed like the kind of guy who just enjoyed playing. The kind of guy you'd just find in some bar hanging out and having a laugh. The sort of guy who in no way deserved to go the way he did. Only the good, I suppose, eh?

[@TenaciousBe]

If I have one regret in life, it's that I didn't get into "heavy" music until after Dimebag's passing. Never got to appreciate him during his time, but I've grown a great fondness for him today. Absolutely horrible way to go out.

[Evilution E5150]

the man is the reason i am a metal fan and the reason i play guitar, ill never forget the day it happen, rest in peace brother

["Sweet & Sour" ImSoFudginGreat]

Damn, 5 years has gone too fast.

I still remember hearing about this on the news and on here. Deeply upestting as i'm a big Pantera fan.

Think i'll put Pantera in my car today and blast it as loud as I can.

[hulkblood]

yeah its ard to belive its been 5 years Pantera were one of the 1st metal bands i got into and Dime was one of a kind it still sucks he with us no longer but he left us with amazing memories.

my advice grab a few beers and crank up Pantera/Damageplan/Rebel Meets Rebel as loud as possible.

RIP DIME!!!!!

[Red Lion]

Dec 8, 2009 7:59:45 GMT -5 @TenaciousBe said:

If I have one regret in life, it's that I didn't get into "heavy" music until after Dimebag's passing. Never got to appreciate him during his time, but I've grown a great fondness for him today. Absolutely horrible way to go out.

This, entirely, I may have developed pretty damn long term ear damage this year by blasting Pantera on my iPod, but it was worth it.

R.I.P. Dime

[fuzzywarble, squat cobbler]

I'm pretty lucky because I had met Dimebag one month before he died. I ended up going to see Damageplan at the last minute. I wasn't a fan of theirs but I love Pantera and I figured why not? Got to meet him and Vinnie, and got pics and autographs from both. Dime was the best.

It was freezing that night after the show but Dime took care of everyone, and even asked at the end, "Is everyone hooked up? Does anyone else need anything signed?" Totally cool guy.

RIP

[4real]

Got to see Damageplan at Download 2004. I won't lie to you, I thought they sucked but when they played 'Walk' at the end of the set it was mental. Scores of people were rushing to the stage for that it was a welcome sign.

So even though I never saw Pantera live hearing that song live was a great moment. RIP Dimebag. The music, and the riffs, will always live on.

[Shy Guy]

robb flynn (machine head) has a really funny dimebag story somewhere on youtube... if i can find it, i'll try and post it later.

[W?Y]

I was too young to follow Pantera when they were hot, but when I found out about them, they changed my view of metal. Dimebag is easily one of the best guitarists that we've ever had, and I hope that never changes.

Hope you're at peace, Darrell.

[ani]

Not a heavy metal guy but that's besides the point. One of the most tragic deaths in music.

Also, today is 29 years since John Lennon was murdered as well.

[chac]

I wish I got to see him live. I will regret not going when I had the chance for the rest of my life.

[Young Game]

Can't believe it's already been 5 years.

One of the best nights of my life was the night I got to hang out with Pantera after they did a signing at a local record store. I remember Phil was being kind of a jerk, not quite the most social guy at the time. However, Dime and Vinnie's hospitality more than made up for it. They totally appreciate the fans, and that's awesome.
Really two of the nicest dudes, not just in metal, but two of the nicest guys ever.

RIP "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott.
You are STILL missed.

[Deleted]

Wow

I am being COMPLETLY honest here, I thought he was still alive

Maybe because I didn't get into rock until after Guitar Hero came out, but I didn't know

R.I.P.

[Blindkarevik]

Yeah, the morning after I heard about Dime, it took me about three weeks before I could listen to anything heavy again because it's a chore not to hear parts of his influence or what influenced him in almost anything.

I really wish I could have him in my list of people I have met as I've heard nothing but amazing things about him, but I WAS able to see Pantera live twice which is good enough.

Raise a black-tooth to the man and pay homage.
HULK BLOOD!!!!!

[Shy Guy]

couldn't find the video, but i found the text version of the story i wanted to share.

again, this is from robb flynn of machine head...




"That tour was one of the funnest, craziest, greatest goddamned tours we have ever done, and none of us have, or will ever forget the opportunity, nor the experience. Like it was yesterday, I remember one night, Dimebag got wasted (as he sometimes did)... but I mean, WASTED! ...and during COAL CHAMBER's set, he grabs my backup guitar, goes out on stage and starts 'air guitaring' with them during one of their songs. COAL CHAMBER looked around nervously and just kinda went with it... he then proceeded to smash my guitar down on the stage, completely shattering the neck. I thought to myself, 'uh... okay, we're sorta on next... what do I do?' Then I figured, 'Eh, f*** it, I'll worry about it tomorrow.'

"After our set, we go out to watch PANTERA. And let me just say, that to watch this man, who literally could not talk backstage, thinking all the while, 'Oh my GOD, this is gonna be a train wreck'... we all just stood there with our jaws on the floor as that motherf***er went out and played a perfectly f***ing FLAWLESS show. Every rhythm, every lead... just NAILED it. It was in-f***ing-human.

"So the next day I go up to him and say 'Hey man, do you remember what you did to my guitar last night?" He's like 'Uh... refresh my memory'... so I say, 'You... uh... smashed the neck in half'... to which he says 'No shit dude?! I'll take care of you, no problem, don't worry!' He then had his tour manager give us TWICE as much money as it would cost to replace / repair the neck. And then a week later, while we're ON STAGE in Chicago, he comes out, and brings both Logan and I brand new, top-of-the-line Dimebag Darrell signature guitars — these things were worth probably 2500 dollars each — and he whispers in my ear, 'Sorry about the neck, Carjacker' (a nickname he had for me)... I mean, COME ON!?

["American Cream" Dusty Loads]

You know all week I've been in a Pantera mood and I didn't know why, I totally forgot the anniversary was today. I was 15 when he died, I had just gotten into them, and metal in general, when I was 14. After his death I started paying attention more to the different guitar styles between bands, and like BlindSlayer said, the amount of influence he's had is ridiculous.

RIP Dime

[Bullhead]

I grew up listening to Pantera so when Dime was killed it was like I lost an old friend. It still feels that way today. When you watch the Pantera DVD you see what kind of person he was, a genuinely nice guy who loved what he did and appreciated his fans. Too bad more musicians aren't like him. He was truely one of a kind.