Devilish Facts About Dimebag Darrell, The Doomed Metal Icon
“Dimebag” Darrell Lance Abbott was the heavy metal guitarist who shredded the competition—until a crazed fan climbed on stage, and one of metal’s worst tragedies occurred.
1. His Light Was Snuffed Out Too Soon
“Dimebag” Darrell Lance Abbott was the guitarist for the heavy metal bands Pantera and Damageplan. A from his early teens, Abbott shredded his competition and strummed his way to the top of the charts. He could have attained even greater heights had it not been for fiery feuds within his bands—and one crazed fan.
2. He Was A Texas Original
Darrell Lance Abbott had rock ‘n’ roll rhythm from the beginning. Born in August of 1966, in Grand Prairie, Texas, he was the second son of Carolyn and Jerry Abbott, a country music producer. Even his older brother, Vinnie Paul, would later become his bandmate in the legendary metal group Pantera, as well as Damageplan.
His childhood was, for a rockstar, pretty rock-solid.
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3. His Family Was Rock-Solid
Although Abbott’s parents divorced in 1979, the Abbott family remained close-knit. Despite the split, the young musician frequently visited his father for guitar lessons, often riding his bike over to soak in his dad's musical expertise.
This dedication to his craft was evident from a young age and would set the stage for his future as a guitar icon.
4. He Amplified His Talents
On his 12th birthday, Abbott received a gift that would change his life forever—a Les Paul-style Hondo guitar along with a Pignose amplifier. This simple yet impactful gift sparked his lifelong love affair with the guitar, marking the beginning of his journey to becoming one of metal's most revered guitarists. First, he just had to learn how to play the thing.
