On December 8, 2004, the metal world lost an icon when ‘Dimebag' Darrell Abbott was shot and killed onstage at a gig by his band Damageplan. He was just 38 years old.
Dimebag was many things – a guitar hero, an Olympic-level partier, an all-round good guy. But he was a massive music lover too, fanatical about everyone from Van Halen, AC/DC and Kiss to cult Texan art-rockers King’s X.
A few years ago, his big brother and former Pantera bandmate Vinnie Paul, who talked us through the songs Dimebag loved. Vinnie is gone now too, but the soundtrack remains. So pour yourself a Black Tooth grin would have partied, and blast out these 10 incredible Dime-approved tunes.
Eruption by Van Halen
Vinnie Paul: “He could play it note for note, just really loved that track as a kid.”
Diary Of A Madman by Ozzy Osbourne
Vinnie: “Randy Rhoads would always have to come first for him. Especially the intro on this.”
Summerland by King’s X
Vinnie: “Dime loved the emotion in that track! Anything off Gretchen Goes To Nebraska. Dime fuckin’ loved King’s X.”
Boom Boom Out Go The Lights by Pat Travers Band
Vinnie: “The band with Pat Thrall on guitar. He would wear out that live album.”
Number Of The Beast by Iron Maiden
Vinnie: “Dime was just a huge fan of Dave Murray and Adrian Smith, how they played together.”
La Grange by ZZ Top
Vinnie: “Anything with Billy Gibbons playing guitar worked for Dime.”
Electric Eye by Judas Priest
Vinnie: “Oh, man. KK Downing and Glenn Tipton were huge heroes and influences for Dime.”
Highway To Hell by AC/DC
Vinnie: “Might be a little bit surprising but Dime loved Angus Young, man. Talk about groove rock.”
Master Of Puppets by Metallica
Vinnie: “As far as rhythm guitar goes, Dime just loved James Hetfield. He said he had the fastest right hand in music.”
Rocket Ride by Kiss
Vinnie: “Dime loved Ace Frehley – who co-wrote and sang this Kiss song – so we should have that on here too.”
