Dimebag Darrell died 10 years ago today

It was ten years ago today that iconic guitarist Dimebag Darrell, real name Darrell Lance Abbott, was shot and killed while on stage. During the shooting, Abbott was performing with his band Damageplan at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, OH.

The gunman, Nathan Gale, shot Abbott three times in the head before killing three others and wounding seven. Gale was killed by police officers shortly thereafter. You can read our original news article on the shooting, posted shortly after the incident occurred, here. Motives behind the killing remain unclear.

Despite his short life, Abbott had already solidified his legend as the pioneering guitarist for Pantera, arguably the heaviest band to ever top the Billboard charts (with 1994 album Far Beyond Driven). Dimebag was ranked No. 92 in Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists list. He had a style all his own, and has influenced an entire generation of metal guitarists.

Today would be a good day to listen to Vulgar Display of Power.