I count myself lucky in that having a 20 year radio career in Texas gave the chance to see Dimebag Darrell and his brother Vinnie Paul live multiple times. Not only did Vinnie and Dime swing by my radio studios more than a few times, I’ve done black-tooth grin shots with them both on their tour bus, and our circle of friends intertwines in many ways. An artist friend of mine created the metal Dimebag sculpture that stood outside his front door for years. When they launched Damageplan after Pantera disbanded they stopped by the radio station to announce it and play a couple of their not-yet released songs. A buddy of mine named Thurber T was even in a band called Gasoline with Dime, iykyk.
So when I heard that Pantera were going on a reunion tour, I was confused and curious as to how this would happen, since both Dime and Vinnie were gone. But the one person who everybody has said should play Dime’s guitar parts, Zakk Wylde, has joined the reunion. Zakk will do Dime’s parts and Anthrax’s Charlie Benante will fill in for Vinnie. Both extremely accomplished players, and friends of the Abbott brothers, so I think its a fitting tribute.
If you’re not familiar with Zakk’s band Black Label Society, you probably know him as the longtime guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne, from 1988 through 1995, and again from 2001 through 2007. Zall replaced Jake E. Lee, who had replaced Night Ranger’s Brad Gillis, who had replaced Randy Rhoads.
And while I still balk at calling it Pantera, this is the only way any kind of reunion tour would have ever happened. Both Dime and Vinnie were very clear that they would never reunite with Phil, for many personal reasons. With both Dime and Vinnie having passed on, though, Phil and Rex can bring the music back to the fans. And for that I think its a good thing.
Here’s Zakk, who is an amazing and accomplished piano player as well as guitar, playing the tribute song he wrote for his friend Dimebag after Dime was killed.
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