SHOOTING AT CONCERT: DIMEBAG DARREL DEAD

[DeToxRox]

http://www.nbc4i.com/news/3983630/detail.html


COLUMBUS, Ohio -- At least three people died and four others were wounded after a shooting at a Columbus nightclub on Wednesday night, NBC 4 reported.

The shooting took place shortly after 10 p.m. at Alrosa Villa, located at 5055 Sinclair Road.

Two members of the heavy metal band Damageplan were reportedly shot and killed, including Dimebag Darrell, formerly with the band Pantera, NBC 4's David Wayne reported. The alleged gunman also died at the scene, Wayne reported.

Shortly after the band began playing its first song, a man reportedly ran onto the stage and began shooting, according to a witness who identified himself as Sean. Some members of the audience reportedly thought the man running onto the stage with a gun was part of the band's act, NBC 4's Erin Tate reported.

Witnesses said that several shots were fired at the band. Witnesses said that a bouncer at the club tackled the alleged gunman before that person was shot and killed. It was unclear as to whom shot the alleged gunman.

Alrosa Villa is a popular north Columbus nightspot for young adults, featuring rock and heavy metal bands, NBC 4 reported.

According to the band's Web site, Damageplan was touring nationally. It performed in Buffalo, N.Y., on Tuesday night and had a concert scheduled in Flint, Mich., on Thursday.

Damageplan featured former Pantera artists Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul. The pair were joined by vocalist Patrick Lachman and bassist Bobzilla, according to their Web site.

Watch NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com for additional information.


Jesus. Did Shortys crew decide to go to the show or what

[cthomer5000]

Shorty's crew is stepping up the game.

[DeToxRox]

Shorty ... I lied. I love all the bands you do!

[DeToxRox]

hell, i loved pantera. but this is something for me personally i almost have to joke about because it seriously seems unreal

i go to shows all the time where you get on stage, and never once has this even occured to me

my apologies shorty but i am in disbelief

[korme]

not a joking matter, sorry fellas

[DeToxRox]

Vinnie Paul (ex Pantera drummer, Dimebags Brother) was apparently also shot. Not sure if he was killed though.

[Icy]

Wow, i liked Pantera a lot (not listening them a lot now), i'm shocked that things like this can happend.

[cartman]

Wow, this sucks. I knew some of the guys away from the "rock scene". Vinnie used to live down the street from one of my friends in Arlington. It was strange seeing the drummer from Pantera walking his dog down the street in a gated, golf-course community...<grin>

And I remember a classic Dimebag moment. I was flying back to Dallas from Chicago, and it was one of those awful travel days, when all sorts of flights were cancelled. As I was sitting on the plane, I saw the guys from Pantera get on. They looked kinda pissed that they were having to sit in coach, but happy nonetheless that they were on a flight home. When the beverage cart came, Dimebag asked for a little bottle of Jack. The flight attendant told him it was $5. He asked if she had change for a $50. She said no, so he asked her for 10 bottles then... :)

[Senator]

I knew these Pantera guys back in the day when they were the local band in a place called Joes Garage near my home. Any more news on this?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Most sources I've seen this morning are reporting 5 dead (4 + the gunman), with no official word on the identity of the victims. At least one TV station in Columbus has steadily reported Darrell as one of the fatalities, but nothing official from anybody as far as I can find this morning (as of about 7 am).

[Tekneek]

Too bad the gunman is dead. It would be nice to find out what his motivation was.

[BucDawg40]

I just poured some malt liquor on the curb for Dime and all my other dead homiez. RIP, Dime, and thanks for inspiring me to stick with the guitar all these years.

Anyone else notice that this happened on the anniversary of Lennon being shot dead?

NP: Pantera -- The Art of Shredding

[Balldog]

This state has some of the biggest idiots in the world...I swear.

[gottimd]

Too bad the gunman is dead. It would be nice to find out what his motivation was.

His GF was probably banging one of the RS.

[Draft Dodger]

His GF was probably banging one of the RS.

it's such a tragic event, and one I definitely don't think is funny.

but darn if this didn't make me laught.

[gottimd]

it's such a tragic event, and one I definitely don't think is funny.

but darn if this didn't make me laught.

Apologies to all, not trying to offend, and I realize my seat in hell just got a little warmer for me.

[Ksyrup]

If I didn't have so much going on right now, I'd probably be in a bit more shock. But I can't let that happen at this moment. All I can say is that this is seriously awful news.

I didn't think too much of Damageplan, but Pantera's first 3 albums (well, their "second" first 3 albums) were revolutionary and singlehandedly carried metal through the grunge years.

I hope Phil feels like the ass he is this morning for carrying on some stupid grudges against his former bandmates. They've been sniping at each other through the press for a couple of years now. No chance to do a VH1-style reunion to kiss and make up now.

[sachmo71]

Just horrible. And now I'm bracing for the "heavy metal made him do it" backlash.

Sigh.

[Ksyrup]

I heard an unconfirmed report on the radio that the guy may have said something to the effect of, "You're responsible for breaking up Pantera" before he shot Dimebag. It appears that Dimebag was clearly the main target, and if his brother was also shot, that would seem to fit with the possible motive.

[sabotai]

I was just thinking today about the bands I will never be able to see in concert. Nirvana could never get back together, Alice In Chains can't. Got to add Pantera to that list. This sucks.

[MizzouRah]

Heard "Cemetary Gates" today at lunch. I loved that song.


Todd

[Ksyrup]

I saw Pantera several times, always a great show back in the Cowboys From Hell/Far Beyond Driven years. I remember when Skid Row opened for them, and they, of course, attracted a bunch of groupies, and I still, to this day, remember seeing this mass of quivering, crying, mascara and hairspray rushing from the front of the stage within the first 20 seconds of Pantera's show. Good times.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Heard "Cemetary Gates" today at lunch. I loved that song.


Todd

That is a great song. The whole "Demon Knight" soundtrack is high underrated.

[Lorena]

I heard an unconfirmed report on the radio that the guy may have said something to the effect of, "You're responsible for breaking up Pantera" before he shot Dimebag. It appears that Dimebag was clearly the main target, and if his brother was also shot, that would seem to fit with the possible motive.

Did Vinnie Paul really get shot? I haven't heard that but if that's the case, it's a terrible day for all Pantera/Damageplan fans. Why would someone do something horrible like that? Another derranged fan I guess.. :confused:

I am in deep mourning. Pantera was one of my favorite all time bands. I have many fond memories of my friends and I driving around the city, listening to Pantera on tape. Anytime we were upset, Pantera was always there for us.

:(

[Lorena]

Heard "Cemetary Gates" today at lunch. I loved that song.


Todd

I LOOOVE that song!! Cowboys from Hell was also a really good one

[Ksyrup]

Info has been spotty all day, but as far as I now know, Vinnie may not have been shot, or at least, is alright. Earlier, there were reports that DP's singer was also killed, but that doesn't appear to be the case now.

Just read this on the anthrax website. I momentarily forgot how big a fan Darrell was of King's X (yet another reason I will miss him):


Charlie Benante on Dime:

WHY??????

Dimebag brought the life out of everyone he met, why would anyone take his????

My phone has been ringing off the hook, everyone asking if it was true?

I didn't want to accept the reality, HOW COULD DARRELL BE GONE?

I just saw him! and just listened to the message he left me today.

I loved him, he was a true Friend. The phone calls in the middle of the night , talking about this and that. Playing KINGS X or KISS licks over the phone. I remember this one time we were both going through these anxiety attacks. I never had them, nor did he. We were talking about how we stopped them. I quit drinking alcohol and coffee and he said that he started drinking MORE ALCOHOL! HAHAHA, that was him. I had some great times with him, he always put you in a good mood, DAMMIT! What the feck is wrong with people?? How the feck does someone get into a club with a loaded gun, HOW?? WHY??

I thought for a minute about this - John Lennon was murdered the same way on the same DAY, some strange coincidence? (sorry, I'm delirious right now)

This guy didn't wait till after the show , he did it on stage. How feck horrific. All those people freaking out, watching this happen. This will change things for the music world. It won't be the same vibe at shows... this is scary.

Dime was special, those who knew him would attest to that....

My heart goes out to Vinnie and Rita as well as the others who were injured.

Go play your PANTERA cd's or your Damage Plan cd

Remember him for his music and his guitar playing, he was the best!

I love you Bro, I'll miss your face
give him a double
whewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

cryin' and sobbin' - CB

[BucDawg40]

driving around the city, listening to Pantera on tape.
:(

I wore out two Vulgar Display of Power tapes & THREE Far Beyond Driven tapes just driving around. Good times, for sure.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

I am actually proud to say that I am so far out of the loop musically that I had never heard of any of these people or bands. I saw "Dimebag Darryl" and thought it was a rap show...

[korme]

you've never heard of pantera? hot damn! never heard them, but still know they were a big 80's rock band.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

I know of the Pantera automobile. Never really been into rock. Aerosmith & Van Halen were cool, but mostly into old R&B.

Still it sucks that some ass killed this guy. Anytime some crap like this it is awful, no matter whether you care for the music or not. I was in a fight at a RUN-DMC show back about 85 or 86 (my rap phase. when rap became popular out in suburbia i had long stopped listening to newer music) A guy threw a punch at a guy and missed him. Hit me in the back of the head. Ouch. I went right down and just crawled out of the brawl that commenced between about 100 guys on the floor of Joe Louis Arena. RUN-DMC even stopped the show until the fight was broken up.

That is bad, but when guns come into play it is damn scary. I'm surprised there is not more of this type of thing happening...

(PS. I'm not blaming the gun, I'm blaming the nut who brought the gun. If everyone at the show was carrying a gun we know the result of this would have been much different.)

[Suicane75]

I heard 2 nickels fell out of the bullet hole.












Yeah, im going to hell.

[cthomer5000]

you've never heard of pantera? hot damn! never heard them, but still know they were a big 80's rock band.
80's rock band? oh my lord....

[DeToxRox]

80's rock band? oh my lord....

Actually ... They were a glam band when they started.

Dimebag Darrel used to be Diamond Darrell.

[Draft Dodger]

Actually ... They were a glam band when they started.

Dimebag Darrel used to be Diamond Darrell.

half right.
he was Diamond Darrell at one point.
Pantera was never a glam band.

[Draft Dodger]

also, they technically weren't an 80's rock band - their debut album was 1990

[DeToxRox]

half right.
he was Diamond Darrell at one point.
Pantera was never a glam band.

Go check out their first independant releases.

They weren't heavy metal monsters, they were more glam then anything.

I am not talking the Far Beyond Driven years, I mean much earlier.

[Draft Dodger]

Go check out their first independant releases.

They weren't heavy metal monsters, they were more glam then anything.

I am not talking the Far Beyond Driven years, I mean much earlier.

yeah, I know about that - they had 4 "hair band" albums in the 80's on a small label (3 of which were with a different singer). Most people consider "Cowboys" to be their "true" debut.

splitting hairs, I guess. Ignore me.

[Ksyrup]

OK, OK...

First of all, Pantera had two lives - the 80's years, and then the 90's years.

The first 3 albums from the 80's were independent releases that featured singer Terrence Lee (best known for the band Lord Tracy, which had a great, very underrated barroom-type band release in the early 90's. She's A Bitch and 3-Headed Chick are classics). The look was kinda glam, but the sound was more Judas Priest meets Motley Crue. Not that great, trite lyrics and song titles. Definitely not a band that stood out amongst the 80's hard rock bands at the time.

The fourth album was the first to feature Phil Anselmo. Again, kinda the same style, but much more of a Judas Priest influence thanks to Anselmo's top-notch vocals. Believe it or not, but he actually used to sing, pretty much like Rob Halford. There are glimpses of it on Cowboys From Hell, but after that, he changed his vocal style for good. I've got all 4 albums, for collection sake, on MP3.

1990 brought Cowboys From Hell, and Terry Date was the producer who changed everything for them. For a few years there, Date was THE metal producer, producing a couple of my all-time favorites, Metal Church's Blessing in Disguise and Prong's Cleansing. What a sound. Anyway, CFH was the first major label abum from Pantera, and no one really knew about the 80's version. After a few years, Anselmo's posturing about how tough and heavy a band they were got tired, especially in light of the "old" look. But for me, for about 5 years, they were THE SHIT in the heavy metal world.

Looking at the old pics, it's amazing to me that Darrell got as heavy as he did. His brother was always big, it appears. But Darrell is hard to picture.

In any event, he will be missed.


http://picserver.mirror.twistspace.com/img.php?/WNH3R41296JA/4U2T101VTNWZ/JPEG/1102641141//91i5


http://picserver.mirror.twistspace.com/img.php?/108VJE07PJ16/B843W3CZ872P/JPEG/1102641141//91i5

[Ksyrup]

In case anyone's interested, here's a one-off featuring Dimebag and Doug Pinnick from King's X covering Born Under A Bad Sign, from around 1995. Bad-ass shit:


http://www.kxcd.net/oldsite/dugdimebuabs.mp3

[Ksyrup]

On Friday, December 10, 2004, Fuse will air "Uranium Dimebag Tribute" at 8 p.m., EST in honor of "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, guitarist for the Grammy-nominated PANTERA and most recently DAMAGEPLAN, who was shot to death as he took the stage Wednesday at the Alrosa Villa nightclub in Columbus, Ohio. "He was a heavy-metal icon, kids around the world found release and a place to belong in his music," comments Fuse "Uranium" host Juliya.

Dimebag granted this one of kind, rare interview to Fuse only 10 days ago. The special, which will repeat throughout the weekend, will feature the last known video interview and footage of the band performing live. It also includes interviews with Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE) and Scott Ian of ANTHRAX, among many others.

[Ksyrup]

The gunman who fatally shot four people — including DAMAGEPLAN (and former PANTERA) guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott — at Columbus, Ohio's Alrosa Villa nightclub Wednesday night alarmed the club's workers before the gig, according to RollingStone.com. "He was hanging around trying to get in," manager Rick Cantella said. "We told him . . . that he had to pay to get in like anyone else. One of my loaders told him to leave . . . He was hanging around trying to talk to the members of the band, and he was shooed away." Just before the show, Nathan Gale, 25, jumped an eight-foot fence to get inside, and headed straight for the stage. "There were guys chasing him as soon as he got in," explained Cantella, "not because [they saw] he had a gun, but because he jumped this fence and didn't pay."

During the gunfire, a local nurse in the audience, twenty-eight-year-old Mindy Reece, stepped in to aid Abbott. "The one thing that stands out in my mind was I could see Vinnie [Paul] stand up from behind the drums and look down...He had this look on his face like, 'Oh my fucking God.'" said Reece, a PANTERA fan since the age of thirteen. With the help of another audience member, she performed CPR on Abbott for several minutes until the paramedics arrived. "I kept saying, 'Dimebag, come on, come on please, stay with me,'" she recalls. "It was bad . . . There was blood on the floor."

[Hurst2112]

Now CNN says that they might have some footage of the show. I hope it doesn't surface on the web; but it probably will.

I am just crushed about this. I don't know what else to say. I get sick thinking about it.

It's a really sad thing, but what makes it worse is that it's one of MY heros. I can say that I wouldn't be who I am if I never listened to Pantera for the first time 11 years ago.

[Ksyrup]

There is definitely amateur footage that the cops confiscated immediately afterward. I'm sure that at some point, it will be released.

[JeffNights]

The guman was shot dead by a cop while he had another potential victim in a headlock.

[Hurst2112]

On a lighter note, I noticed that the news stations are now calling him "Dimebag" Darell Abott. This morning they were just calling him Darell Abott. It's funny to watch all the 'squares' say Dimebag.

[stevew]

It sounds like this cop did a helluva job to prevent any more murders. Apparently the Gunman had someone in a headlock, the cop came around a speaker stack and shot the guy in the head(I think). A lot more people may have died if he wasnt quick to respond. Between this and Great White, i dont think ill be going to see any metal bands in clubs.

[JeeberD]

Got this from a different board where someone got it from the Damageplan board...

all i can say is holy crap!! that was such a freakin' nightmare... i don't ever want to be a part of anything like that again... i'm still shaking.... i don't even know what to say...

i was up close to the stage on the side where DBD was playing.... then i saw the guy jump out of the crwod onto the stage... he was yelling something about how "you broke up pantera.... you ruined my life.... what about phil??? he needs heroin money..." or something like that then i saw the gun and he shot DBD right in the head... when DBD went down he kept shooting... then he turned around for bobzilla then vinnie... teh hole time i thought it was part of the show... i had blood on me i was so close... i'm still freakin' out here...

after he turned around and kept shooting i was gone... i swear i almost crapped my pants... it was ####' crazy as ####... people were totally messed up outside... i was standing next to this one chick and she was crying and couldn't stop... she fell on the ground and it was like she was possesed or something... dude it was so kayotic its not even funny... the cops showed up and then people started sayin' that DBD was killed... then people started freaking out even more...

i can't belive this happend... its so crazy... its totally unreal and there's no way to describe how messed up i am right now...

i had tickets to the show in flint michigan too... i don't know whats going to happen... theres some blood on my ticket stub so i'm going to sell it on ebay or keep it or something... i know DBD is in heaven (or ripping some mad riffs in hell)

#### what a wild #### nigth... dude i won't even be able to sleep tonight


And here's an article, old by now but has lots of info...

Police: 'We May Never Know The Motive For This'
5 Dead, 2 Injured In Columbus Nightclub Shooting
http://www.nbc4i.com/news/3984858/detail.html

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Police said an officer's quick thinking helped prevent more fatalities from occurring as a deadly shooting took place inside a Columbus nightclub Wednesday night.

Officer James D. Niggemeyer entered the nightclub, and then shot and killed the alleged gunman, Nathan Gale, during an apparent hostage situation, police said.

In the moments before, police said Gale, 25, from Marysville, jumped onto a concert stage at the Alrosa Villa nightclub and began firing a handgun at a member of the heavy metal band Damageplan, police said.

Lead guitarist Darrell Abbott, who was known as "Dimebag Darrell," was shot and killed, NBC 4 reported.

"He's playing the guitar and (the gunman) just went right up to him," witness Jim Climer said. "He started blowing his brains out, basically. Dimebag was still playing. He didn't know what was going on, and that's when he hit the ground."

A crowd of about 250 people was inside for the concert that started at about 10:20 p.m.

The band was in its opening song and then witnesses said a man, who was wearing a hockey jersey and hooded sweatshirt, began firing at point-blank range at least four times at Dimebag Darrell, NBC 4's Kyle Anderson reported.

Three other people inside the club were shot and killed. Police said identified one of the shooting victims as Nathan Bray, 23, who was in the audience. Erin Halk, 29, also died. Police did not know whether he was associated with the band or was part of the crowd.

Police said they received 911 calls from inside the Alrosa Villa, and Niggemeyer, 31, who was patrolling near the club, entered the rear of the building before he shot and killed Gale. Jeff Thompson, 40, from Texas, was later identified as the fifth shooting victim.

Columbus Police Sgt. Brent Mull said that Gale was holding a person hostage at the time the gunman was killed.

"I can't say enough about (Niggemeyer's) abilities, his skills, the way he handled this investigation," Mull said.

According to Mull, amateur video was taken from inside the nightclub and investigators were examining the tape to see if they could determine the events that led to the shootings.

There were no Columbus police officers inside the club due to a policy that prohibits officers from working inside liquor establishments, Mull said. Alrosa Villa management was in charge of the building's security, Mull said.

Police said that they don't have a motive for the shootings.

"Unless he left a note (behind), we may never know," Mull said.

According to police, Gale had a hostage in a headlock position and moved slightly to allow Niggemeyer to shoot the gunman.

"(The gunman) came on stage, from the back, like he knew what he was doing and went straight to Dimebag Darrell immediately," an unidentified witness said.

Authorities spent hours questioning audience members. As calls for help came in, dozens of police and EMS crews were dispatched to the scene.

Emergency room workers at Riverside Methodist Hospital were told to watch out for people who would ask for care on Thursday. Police said that about 100 people left the Alrosa Villa before officers got the scene under control.

Two people who were shot were transported by ambulance to Riverside. Their names were not released and hospital officials would not comment about their conditions.

Columbus police and firefighters set up a triage outside the nightclub to treat anyone with minor injuries, NBC 4 reported.

Many people who were injured during the shooting spree and in the chaos that followed were put on three COTA buses and treated for injuries at the scene, NBC 4 reported.

[Tekneek]

As far as denails about them being a sort of glam band in the 80s, even with Phil in the lineup, a co-worker has shown me several photos of them with the hair and makeup that was common for the day...even tough guy Phil made up nice and pretty for the camera. Pantera may have been a tough badass band, but don't re-write history.

Just like with Ministry... Once upon a time Al Jourgensen put out a straight ahead synth-pop album, too. Ministry fans probably try to deny that as well, maybe even Al himself, but it's true.

[MizzouRah]

all i can say is holy crap!! that was such a freakin' nightmare... i don't ever want to be a part of anything like that again... i'm still shaking.... i don't even know what to say...

i was up close to the stage on the side where DBD was playing.... then i saw the guy jump out of the crwod onto the stage... he was yelling something about how "you broke up pantera.... you ruined my life.... what about phil??? he needs heroin money..." or something like that then i saw the gun and he shot DBD right in the head... when DBD went down he kept shooting... then he turned around for bobzilla then vinnie... teh hole time i thought it was part of the show... i had blood on me i was so close... i'm still freakin' out here...

after he turned around and kept shooting i was gone... i swear i almost crapped my pants... it was ####' crazy as ####... people were totally messed up outside... i was standing next to this one chick and she was crying and couldn't stop... she fell on the ground and it was like she was possesed or something... dude it was so kayotic its not even funny... the cops showed up and then people started sayin' that DBD was killed... then people started freaking out even more...

i can't belive this happend... its so crazy... its totally unreal and there's no way to describe how messed up i am right now...

i had tickets to the show in flint michigan too... i don't know whats going to happen... theres some blood on my ticket stub so i'm going to sell it on ebay or keep it or something... i know DBD is in heaven (or ripping some mad riffs in hell)

#### what a wild #### nigth... dude i won't even be able to sleep tonight


I don't think I would ever be right again after something like this. Incredible.


Todd

[panerd]

all i can say is holy crap!! that was such a freakin' nightmare... i don't ever want to be a part of anything like that again... i'm still shaking.... i don't even know what to say...

i was up close to the stage on the side where DBD was playing.... then i saw the guy jump out of the crwod onto the stage... he was yelling something about how "you broke up pantera.... you ruined my life.... what about phil??? he needs heroin money..." or something like that then i saw the gun and he shot DBD right in the head... when DBD went down he kept shooting... then he turned around for bobzilla then vinnie... teh hole time i thought it was part of the show... i had blood on me i was so close... i'm still freakin' out here...

after he turned around and kept shooting i was gone... i swear i almost crapped my pants... it was ####' crazy as ####... people were totally messed up outside... i was standing next to this one chick and she was crying and couldn't stop... she fell on the ground and it was like she was possesed or something... dude it was so kayotic its not even funny... the cops showed up and then people started sayin' that DBD was killed... then people started freaking out even more...

i can't belive this happend... its so crazy... its totally unreal and there's no way to describe how messed up i am right now...

i had tickets to the show in flint michigan too... i don't know whats going to happen... theres some blood on my ticket stub so i'm going to sell it on ebay or keep it or something... i know DBD is in heaven (or ripping some mad riffs in hell)
Anyone else find the highlighted line troubling and out of place?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Anyone else find the highlighted line troubling and out of place?

Troubling. Most definitely. Out of place? Unfortunately not really.

[JeeberD]

Anyone else find the highlighted line troubling and out of place?

Yup, that line made me shake my head. But that's America these days...

[sabotai]

Anyone else find the highlighted line troubling and out of place?

That jumped out at me as well. Something's wrong with that guy to even think about selling that on ebay.

[Lorena]

Info has been spotty all day, but as far as I now know, Vinnie may not have been shot, or at least, is alright. Earlier, there were reports that DP's singer was also killed, but that doesn't appear to be the case now.

Just read this on the anthrax website. I momentarily forgot how big a fan Darrell was of King's X (yet another reason I will miss him):


Charlie Benante on Dime:

WHY??????

Dimebag brought the life out of everyone he met, why would anyone take his????

My phone has been ringing off the hook, everyone asking if it was true?

I didn't want to accept the reality, HOW COULD DARRELL BE GONE?

I just saw him! and just listened to the message he left me today.

I loved him, he was a true Friend. The phone calls in the middle of the night , talking about this and that. Playing KINGS X or KISS licks over the phone. I remember this one time we were both going through these anxiety attacks. I never had them, nor did he. We were talking about how we stopped them. I quit drinking alcohol and coffee and he said that he started drinking MORE ALCOHOL! HAHAHA, that was him. I had some great times with him, he always put you in a good mood, DAMMIT! What the feck is wrong with people?? How the feck does someone get into a club with a loaded gun, HOW?? WHY??

I thought for a minute about this - John Lennon was murdered the same way on the same DAY, some strange coincidence? (sorry, I'm delirious right now)

This guy didn't wait till after the show , he did it on stage. How feck horrific. All those people freaking out, watching this happen. This will change things for the music world. It won't be the same vibe at shows... this is scary.

Dime was special, those who knew him would attest to that....

My heart goes out to Vinnie and Rita as well as the others who were injured.

Go play your PANTERA cd's or your Damage Plan cd

Remember him for his music and his guitar playing, he was the best!

I love you Bro, I'll miss your face
give him a double
whewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

cryin' and sobbin' - CB


Oh man, this gave me chills and brought tears to my eyes :(

[Lorena]

That jumped out at me as well. Something's wrong with that guy to even think about selling that on ebay.

How incredibly sick and demented... whose to say what he even wrote is true?

[sabotai]

How incredibly sick and demented... whose to say what he even wrote is true?

I don't know. Whenever something like that turns up after something like this, my first instict is to not trust it as authentic.

[Ksyrup]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The man who shot former Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott and three other men to death at a nightclub was obsessed with the heavy metal band and made bizarre accusations against the group, a one-time friend said.

Nathan Gale apparently believed Pantera musicians were trying to steal his identity and the lyrics to songs he had written, former friend Jeramie Brey told The Columbus Dispatch in Friday's editions.

Gale, 25, charged the stage Wednesday at a show by Abbott's new band, Damageplan, and gunned down four people including Abbott before a police officer shot him to death. Two others were wounded.

Investigators said they may never know Gale's motive. Some witnesses said he yelled accusations that the influential heavy metal guitarist broke up Pantera, but police had not verified those reports.

Brey and former friend Dave Johnson said they had become frightened by Gale's behavior and distanced themselves from him several years ago. By that time, Johnson said, Gale had begun talking and laughing to himself and once appeared to be holding an imaginary dog.

"He used to be Pantera's No. 1 fan and has liked them for as long as I've known him," Johnson told the newspaper. "After a while something happened. He just kind of snapped. He went from being a cool guy to being a guy you didn't want to be around."

Johnson said he met Gale, known as Nate, in the late 1990s through a mutual friend in their hometown of Marysville, about 25 miles northwest of Columbus. They shared a love of rock music, held jam sessions and attended concerts together.

Brey recalled that Gale once showed up at his house with some songs he had written, but the words appeared to be copied from Pantera. Gale told Brey he planned to sue Pantera over the lyrics and for stealing his identity.

An imposing figure at 6-foot-3, Gale had made people uneasy at a Marysville tattoo parlor, staring and locking them into conversations about heavy metal music.

When he played offensive line for the semi-pro Lima Thunder football team, he psyched himself up before games by piping Pantera music into his headphones, coach Mark Green said.

"He seemed like a normal guy you would meet any other day," said Anthony Bundy, 20, who lived on the same block as Gale. "He was a keep-to-yourself type of person. He was real quiet."

Hours before the shootings, Gale got into an argument with a worker at the tattoo studio over some equipment he wanted the studio to order for him. He later angrily walked out of the shop.

The worker, Bo Toler, said he thought Gale had come to the tattoo parlor because he wanted somebody to hang out with. "I just thought he was quiet. I thought he had low-self esteem because of his thick glasses," Toler said.

Gale had had minor run-ins with police since 1997 but wasn't considered a troublemaker, authorities said.

He served in the Marines in North Carolina until November 2003, when he was discharged after less than half of the typical four-year stint, Marine spokeswoman Gunnery Sgt. Kristine Scarber said. She declined to explain the discharge, citing privacy rules.

Gale's mother, Mary Clark, did not return phone messages seeking comment.

The violence at the Alrosa Villa club came just after the opening chords by Texas-based Damageplan, the band formed by Abbott and his brother, drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott, after they left Pantera. Gale dodged two band members, grabbed Darrell Abbott and shot him at least five times in the head, witnesses and police said.

In less than five minutes, Gale had also killed Erin Halk, 29, a club employee who loaded band equipment; fan Nathan Bray, 23; and band bodyguard Jeff Thompson, 40.

Two other band employees, tour manager Chris Paluska and drum technician John Brooks, remained hospitalized Friday with bullet wounds. Paluska was listed in serious condition and Brooks in good condition.

Vinnie Paul Abbott thanked fans for their support in a statement the band released Friday.

"With all his greatness and accomplishments on the guitar, DIME will be missed more for his giving personality, charisma, caring for others, love and most of all his HEART!! Twice as big as the state of TEXAS!!!!!!!!!!!!," Abbott said.

[Mr. Wednesday]

To offer a lay opinion, it looks to me as though Gale was suffering from something along the lines of paranoia or schizophrenia, and I think it's sad that his friends walked away without trying to get him some help.

[cthomer5000]

yeah, I know about that - they had 4 "hair band" albums in the 80's on a small label (3 of which were with a different singer). Most people consider "Cowboys" to be their "true" debut.

splitting hairs, I guess. Ignore me.
No, I'm with you. I think ultimately declaring them a "big 80's rock band" is a ridiclulous description. 99.999% of people who know of them only heard of them from their proper releases (which as you stated, didn't even start until 1990).

[DeToxRox]

http://nbc4i.feedroom.com/index.jsp?auto_band=x&rf=sv&fr_story=cd056b122847ddccd16d696aa6a6f4786db65316

Video of it all happening.

Can't see anyone get hit but you can hear shots and such.

[sovereignstar]

Holy shit. You can hear the actual gunshots? Can you like tell what kind of gun and stuff it is?

[DeToxRox]

Holy shit. You can hear the actual gunshots? Can you like tell what kind of gun and stuff it is?

Its a crazy video. You see the gun go off once. Hearing the people talk is weird..

"He has to be out of ammo"

"Oh man, he just reloaded"

Then you hear the shooter get shot and drop.

[cartman]

Hard to believe it has been 4 years. :(

[JeeberD]

Moved out of archives per request...

[lighthousekeeper]

Dimebag Darrel died?

[Lorena]

Wow, it's been 4 years already? It's days like the one I'm having today when I crank up Pantera songs to get me outta my funk. Songs like this one.:

<object width="425" height="344">


<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Km8xIs24UeY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></object>

Man those are some sick guitar riffs.

[cartman]

Cranking up some Cowboys From Hell on the 10 year anniversary of his death.

[Dodgerchick]

10 years? Dafuq? I listen to Pantera on a daily basis. Rock on \m/(>.<)\m/

[Lonnie]

I was just reading about Dimebag's favorite (http://www.guitarworld.com/prime-cuts-dimebag-darrell-chooses-his-12-favorite-tunes-1993-guitar-world-feature?page=0,10) songs. I didn't realize it was the 10th anniversary of his death. Must mean I'm getting old if 10 years goes by that quick.

Getcha' pull!

[Suicane75]

I know it's 10 years after the fact, and to those who were offended I'm nothing more than a screen name, but shit man, I'm sorry for my post.

[cartman]

The story of how DD ended up buried with one of Eddie Van Halen's guitar's.

“Dime was an original, he deserves the original� —Eddie Van Halen on Dimebag Darrell | Van Halen News Desk (http://www.vhnd.com/2014/12/08/dime-was-an-original-he-deserves-the-original-eddie-van-halen-on-dimebag-darrell/)