PANTERA commemorated the 57th birth anniversary of the late guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott in a remarkable manner on the evening of Sunday, August 20
The occasion was marked during the band’s headline performance at the Germania Insurance Amphitheater located in Austin, Texas.
In a heartfelt display of remembrance, the quartet comprising PANTERA‘s members took center stage. They were joined by musicians hailing from support act LAMB OF GOD, as well as Rita Haney, the longtime girlfriend of Dimebag. Together, they partook in a ceremonial toast with Dimebag‘s favorite libation – a “black-tooth grin” cocktail, essentially whisky with just a subtle touch of Coke. The touching tribute extended further as the crowd joined in a collective rendition of “Happy Birthday.” A poignant video capturing the commemorative celebration can be found below.
Dimebag Darrell Abbott and his sibling, drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott, came together to establish PANTERA during the mid-1980s in Texas. This dynamic duo journeyed through four independent album releases before embarking on their major label debut in 1990 with “Cowboys From Hell.” This milestone marked a shift towards a weightier musical direction, garnering a fervent following among metal enthusiasts. Notably, their 1994 album “Far Beyond Driven” astoundingly debuted at the summit of The Billboard 200 chart, even in the absence of a commercially dominant single.
The unity of the band experienced a fracture in 2002 due to the departure of their volatile lead vocalist, Philip Anselmo. Subsequently, Dimebag and Vinnie reconstituted themselves as DAMAGEPLAN. The emergence of DAMAGEPLAN was marked by the release of their inaugural album, “New Found Power,” in February 2004.
Dimebag, who held an esteemed and cherished status among the icons of hard rock music, met a tragic fate on December 8, 2004. The incident transpired during a DAMAGEPLAN concert at the Alrosa Villa club in Columbus, Ohio, where Dimebag was shot on stage by a former Marine named Nathan Gale. This act of violence led to the loss of four lives and the wounding of three others before Gale was ultimately neutralized by police officer James D. Niggemeyer, who promptly arrived on the scene.
PANTERA‘s current lineup in 2023 features two surviving members from the band’s seminal formation, namely Anselmo and Rex Brown on bass. They are joined by accomplished guitarist Zakk Wylde, notable for his roles in OZZY OSBOURNE and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, as well as skilled drummer Charlie Benante from ANTHRAX.
The formidable combination of Anselmo, Brown, Wylde, and Benante is headlining a series of prominent music festivals spanning South America, Asia, North America, and Europe. Additionally, they are organizing their own headline concerts. A highlight of their ventures includes providing support for the legendary METALLICA throughout an expansive North American stadium tour scheduled for both 2023 and 2024.