It was 47 years ago today that Darrell Lance “Dimebag” Abbott came kicking and screaming into this world at a small hospital in Ennis, Texas. Darrell and older brother Vinnie were raised and nutured by their music-loving mother, Carolyn, and singer-songwriter/producer father, Jerry. The Abbot house was one always filled with music…primarily country. That was until the Abbott boys found rock n’ roll! Darrell became a loyal and proud member of the KISS Army and Merle Haggard was soon drowned out by the wailing guitar riffs of Ace Frehley, of which Dime said in an interview, “If there was no Ace Frehley…there wouldn’t have been a Dimebag Darrell.”

Darrell began taking guitar seriously by age 13, while Vinnie took up the drums in earnest. Childhood friends of the brothers rarely saw the two apart, and remember the house being a virtual playground of musical experimentation (Thank you, Mr. & Mrs. Abbott!).

Vinnie and Darrell formed Pantera in 1981, and the band went on to sell millions of albums worldwide. Papa Abbott even jumped on the metal-train with his boys serving as producer for his famous sons’ Pantera albums Metal Magic (1983)), Projects In The Jungle (1984), I Am The Night (1985) and Power Metal (1988). The band played with thrash metal acts such as Slayer, Megadeth, Venom, and Metallica, as well as traditional metal bands such as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Motörhead, and Judas Priest.

After Pantera, Darrell came thisclose to joining Metallica, but Vinnie couldn’t come along, so Dime politely declined. That’s what kind of a loyal person he was by all accounts, to his family and friends (old, new, famous or not). And so the brothers once again formed a band together, Damageplan, in which Darrell played with until the fateful day of December 8, 2004 which ended his life tragically at just 38 years of age. We all know what happened, and this is not an autobiography or a day to think about such horror.

Yet, anyone who has lost a loved one knows what bittersweet feelings that a day such as today can bring. There are quotes and homages being paid by famous musicians and fans all over the internet to Dime today. But the most poignant of all are the messages from his brother and best friend, Vinnie Paul…

On the Dimebag Darrell FB page: This is and always will be my best friend!! I love you DIME!! Happy birthday brother!! Well meet again!!! No one knows how much I miss you!! VP

On the Pantera FB Page: Happy birthday to the best friend I ever had!! Happy birthday DIME! I love you and miss you!! Well meet again!! VP

Missed he most certainly is – by millions. Yet today we celebrate the life of a man that was, still is, and shall always be known as one of the greatest guitarist that the world has ever seen. He’s been named as such on every list imaginable and just last week on Loudwire, Darrell was declared “Greatest Metal Guitarist” by a poll voted on by music fans across the internet. In all the quotes by musicians , Mark Hunter, lead singer of the metal band Chimaira says it best, “Dime changed the way metal music was written with his guitar playing. I don’t know anybody in a band who hasn’t stolen a few guitar riffs from him.” Amen.

Offstage, Dime was known for his playful antics spurned by a sweet yet wicked sense of humor. He was a man that was always willing to help others; volunteering his time and talents to many organizations and benefits. He was a caring friend who was always there if you needed to talk; a true friend who always answered the phone or called you back. Although his travels in music took him all over the world, his heart was always at home in Texas with his family, friends and his girlfriend since elementary school, Rita, with whom he shared his beloved ranch with many pets. That’s where you would find Darrell if he wasn’t on the road or down the street at brother Vinnie’s house – in the back yard fishing and drinking or drinking and fishing (not necessarily in that order).

Darrell was one of those guys that was always up for an impromptu cookout, jam session or just hanging out with friends – most of the time with a Black Tooth Grin firmly in one hand. Legendary stories abound about Dime’s ability to consume mass amounts of the cocktail, which is basically Crown Royal and a splash (like a few dribbles) of Coke, then get on stage and own it like a boss! Many a man faltered trying to keep up with Dime and the never-ending flow of his favorite…wait – his ONLY drink!

So we are going to take the cue from the Pantera and Dimebag Darrell Facebook Pages and make a party out of this day the way Dime would have wanted! So get on your Dime shirt, CRANK UP some Pantera and Damageplan, mix up a Black Tooth Grin, raise it high to the heavens and say, “Happy Birthday, Dime! “

~ A very special thank you to Chad Lee of RockConcert Fotos

Check out the new Dimebag t-shirt that was approved by Vinnie Paul. Pick one up today! If you already have a Dimebag shirt, post a picture of you wearing it on the Dimebag Darrell or Pantera Facebook pages for everyone to see! Get the new shirt here… http://bit.ly/PTAug20

Lots of events coming up with RIDE FOR DIME too!

RIDE FOR DIME was formed in 2005, they currently have running six nationwide chapters and just went worldwide with a London, England chapter! RFD host annual motorcycle runs & concerts, with all proceeds going to Little Kids Rock, and towards funding the Ride For Dime Scholarship Fund. Ride For Dime was started by childhood friends of Darrell Abbott and is the only charity recognized and supported by the Abbott Estate. Visit them at www.ridefordime.org

Tags: 2013