# Heavy Metal Guitar Legend gunned down on stage **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 9, 2004, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-guitar-legend-gunned-down-on-stage/278943 "2004-12-09T16:45:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-guitar-legend-gunned-down-on-stage/278943/1 "2004-12-09T16:45:42Z")
I don’t expect many people here to share in my taste of music or mourn the passing of Dimebag Darrel Abbot, I just need to vent a little. Darrel Abbot was one of the heaviest-hitting guitar players in the industry. Most notable as the guitarist for Pantera for well over a decade, he and his brother Vinnie Paul were in another band together, Damageplan. They were on stage last night when some fucking stupid nutcase decided to run up on stage and pump between 4 and 6 rounds into him. The gunman then turned on the crowd and was eventually shot and killed by a police officer who was lucky enough to be in the vicinity. Besides Darrel, two other people-both concert-goers-were killed in the rampage. This brings me to my rant. Nathan Gale, you whimpering, whining, drug-addled(gotta be), piece of excrement. You have taken what many feel to be a legend of some sorts from us. Why? Were you reeeeeaaaally that pissed off that Pantera broke up?\* It’s a shame that cop killed your ass, because now there are many questions left unanswered. Maybe if he wasn’t around, the crowd would have recovered from the shock of you killing Darrel and fucking stomped your brains out. A [Link.](http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=2&u=/ap/20041209/ap_on_re_us/nightclub_shooting) and one final fuck you to the now deceased Nathan Gale. RIP Dimebag. Sam \*- In the dozen or so news articles I’ve read, at least one states that Nathan mentioned the breakup of Pantera to Darrel as he was killing him. True? Maybe, maybe not. Wouldn’t shock me. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-guitar-legend-gunned-down-on-stage/278943/2 "2004-12-09T17:02:19Z")
I believe three others were killed besides Dimebag, according to CNN. In addition it said wounded people were everywhere, inside, the parking lot, etc, so that number may still rise. As you mentioned, thank goodness for the bravery and fast response of the cop or this could have been even worse. ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-guitar-legend-gunned-down-on-stage/278943/3 "2004-12-09T17:03:56Z")
Speculation is that Vinnie is dead as well. It’s a horrible day in music history. It’s so shocking that I’m still coming to grips with the fact that something like this could happen. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-guitar-legend-gunned-down-on-stage/278943/4 "2004-12-09T17:05:13Z")
I heard this morning that Damage Plan’s head bodyguard was killed trying to stop the shooter after he killed Dimebag. And Gale, dumbass in hell, even the nastiest break ups will eventually get back togther, but not when they’re DEAD! Just ask the Beatles! ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-guitar-legend-gunned-down-on-stage/278943/5 "2004-12-09T17:09:30Z")
That still didn’t make it very clear, did it? Gunman kills Darrell and three others before being killed himself. A total of 5 dead now but with many more wounded. ---
**Author:** ![minty\_green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@minty\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minty_green)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-guitar-legend-gunned-down-on-stage/278943/6 "2004-12-09T17:10:54Z")
> [@Indygrrl](#): > > Speculation is that Vinnie is dead as well. Vinnie Paul and the rest of the band are alive and uninjured, according to local radio. As **kidchameleon** says, the local report is that the fourth person killed was the band’s head of security, who went by the name of Mayhem. The tour manager is the guy in critical condition (shot in the chest). The drum tech was also injured, shot in the legs and hand. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-guitar-legend-gunned-down-on-stage/278943/7 "2004-12-09T17:11:54Z")
Never bring an [axe](http://www.jimhodgkinson.freeserve.co.uk/Odds/Pantera/Dimebag%20Darrell's%20Guitar%20Setup_files/dime333.jpg) to a gunfight. ducks and runs ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-guitar-legend-gunned-down-on-stage/278943/8 "2004-12-09T17:12:23Z")
Vinnie Paul is alive and well according to record industry insiders. The drum tech was hit in the leg, apparently, but not killed. Sam ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-guitar-legend-gunned-down-on-stage/278943/9 "2004-12-09T17:17:51Z")
_Save Me_ is a great song. Whenever it get’s played on XM, I turn the radio waaay up. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-guitar-legend-gunned-down-on-stage/278943/10 "2004-12-09T17:18:09Z")
I never heard of these guys until this morning, but this is awful. I don’t know what would be scarier, one insane fan that opens up like that or the night club catching on fire and killing 100 people inside. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-guitar-legend-gunned-down-on-stage/278943/11 "2004-12-09T17:20:41Z")
Just FYI, there’s [another thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=290846) running in Cafe Society right now. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-guitar-legend-gunned-down-on-stage/278943/12 "2004-12-09T17:21:16Z")
Damn, RIP Dimebag. I still think Pantera’s comeback album was some of the best shit I’ve heard in years. ---
**Author:** ![Greathouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greathouse/32/2992_2.png) [@Greathouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greathouse)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-guitar-legend-gunned-down-on-stage/278943/13 "2004-12-09T17:35:01Z")
Oh my God. This is the first I have heard of this. I haven’t been this upset at the death of a musician since SRV died. My whole fuckin day is now gone to shit. I had been listening to Pantera since they were playing local keggers and clubs back in my early junior high days. Both Vinnie and Darrell were great guys and always had time for thier fans. R.I.P Darrell You will be missed ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-guitar-legend-gunned-down-on-stage/278943/14 "2004-12-09T17:38:08Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > Never bring an [axe](http://www.jimhodgkinson.freeserve.co.uk/Odds/Pantera/Dimebag%20Darrell's%20Guitar%20Setup_files/dime333.jpg) to a gunfight. Now thats funny! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-guitar-legend-gunned-down-on-stage/278943/15 "2004-12-09T17:39:25Z")
It feels so lame to lament the passing of someone I never knew, but I’m pretty broken up by all this. Sam ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-guitar-legend-gunned-down-on-stage/278943/16 "2004-12-09T17:42:34Z")
> [@gatopescado](#): > > Now thats funny! 😃 No, it’s really not. There’s nothing to make jokes about with this. It’s horrifying and tragic and should never have happened. It’s a very sad day in the music world. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-guitar-legend-gunned-down-on-stage/278943/17 "2004-12-09T17:51:33Z")
I don’t really have anything more to add here. I kind of wish the gunman wasn’t dead so we’d at least get a statement as to why he did it. Still, I’m not exactly going to be mourning his death (the gunman’s, not DDA’s, R.I.P.). ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-guitar-legend-gunned-down-on-stage/278943/18 "2004-12-09T17:56:23Z")
I met him a few times (and Vinnie and Phil) when I was playing music in Denton. Like **Greathouse** says, always had time for the fans, always willing to give time to local musicians. Arlington will never be the same without the guy. Just a sad day. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-guitar-legend-gunned-down-on-stage/278943/19 "2004-12-09T18:46:23Z")
> [@Indygrrl](#): > > No, it’s really not. > > There’s nothing to make jokes about with this. It’s horrifying and tragic and should never have happened. It’s a very sad day in the music world. Oh, fuck’s sake. Dimebag was a fucking god, I’ve been a Pantera fan since the mid-80s. This sucks. It is indeed tragic and shouldn’t have happened. But the joke was funny. I’m sorry you’re offended, but sometimes the only thing we can do in the face of death is laugh. ---
**Author:** ![Misery\_Loves\_Co](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7cd45c/32.png) [@Misery\_Loves\_Co](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misery_Loves_Co)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-guitar-legend-gunned-down-on-stage/278943/20 "2004-12-09T19:11:48Z")
Well, that psychopathic shitsack’s family had best drop him in an unmarked grave. I’ve never listened to Pantera, only know about Dimebag by reputation, and _I_ have an irrational desire to find his killer’s grave and take a steaming shit on it. Given the usual reactionary response on the boards to wishing death on sadistic assholes who are _merely_ thrown in jail, I wonder what the response would be if I said I want to desecrate his corpse. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-guitar-legend-gunned-down-on-stage/278943.md?page=2)