Dimebag Darrell
(Darrell Lance Abbott)
Biography

Darrell Lance Abbott, also known by his stage names "Diamond Darrell" or "Dimebag Darrell", was born August 20, 1966 in Arlington, Tx. Darrell is best known for being a key founding member in both Pantera and Damageplan.



Along with his brother, drummer Vinnie Paul (Abbott), the two formed Pantera in 1981. Although there were a few different incarnations of the band, the official line up would include bassist Rex Rocker and vocalist Terry Glaze / Terrence Lee. For much of the eighties Pantera had more of a glam metal sound, but by 1985, with the release of Pantera's third album, 'I am the Night', the songs were beginning to take on a more heavier approach. The band released three independent albums before Terry Glaze decided to leave the band. After trying a couple of different vocalists, the band finally found the perfect fit in Phil Anselmo. In 1988 Pantera released their first and only independent record with Phil. The album, entitled "Power Metal", sold approximately 50,000 copies without the help of a major label. Overall, Pantera were quite successful as an independent band, selling more than 125,000 copies collectively. While bands like Slayer, Megadeth, and Metallica helped shape Pantera's musical direction, the band eventually created their own post-thrash, "groove" metal sound.



In 1989, Megadeth vocalist / guitarist Dave Mustaine asked Darrell to join the band. Darrell was interested only if his brother Vinnie could come along, however, Mustaine had just asked drummer Nick Menza to join. Darrell decided to pass.



In 1990, Pantera released their major label debut, "Cowboys from Hell". The album was successful for a metal release, but it was not until their breakthrough album "Vulgar Display of Power" that the band began to achieve major success. In 1994, Abbott began to go by the nickname "Dimebag Darrell".



By the mid-90's, the band began to suffer from internal tensions, mostly due to the fact that Pantera vocalist Phil Anselmo had become a heroin junkie . In 2003 Pantera broke up and Anselmo began to focus his energy on his other bands like Superjoint Ritual and Down.



In 2004, Vinnie and Darrell formed Damageplan. Damageplan was a heavy metal band much in the musical direction of Pantera. The band featured guitarist Pat Lachman on vocals and Bob Zilla on bass. Damageplan's debut album, "New Found Power" was released in the United States in February of 2004. This album reached the number 38 spot on the Billboard 200, selling nearly 45,000 copies within the first week of it release.



On December 8, 2004, Damageplan was performing a live show at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio when Darrell was murdered by Nathan Gale, who shot Abbott five times on stage. Many people, including Vinnie Paul, believe that Phil Anselmo is partly responsible for Dimebag's death. The vocalist was quoted in an interview, published just days before the guitarist was shot, saying that Dimebag deserved to be severely beaten. Anselmo was told not to attend the funeral and Vinnie, to this day, has still not spoken to him.



Darrell was buried at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Arlingon, Texas. He is buried beside his mother, resting with Eddie Van Halen's Charvel Hybrid VH2.



Cool fact: Darrell invented his own drink known as the "Black Tooth Grin".
How to make a Black Tooth Grin:
This drink is a cocktail consisting of Crown Royal, with just enough Coca-Cola to turn the drink dark brown. The name of the drink comes from a lyric in the Megadeth song "Sweating Bullets" - "Some day you too will know my pain, and smile its blacktooth grin"

Post a comment

More Biographies

Search Fibits for cd's

New Releases Interviews Features Fibits Cd Store Music NEWS FORUM Directory HOME MP3's    Fullinbloom.com