damn. it's been 10 years today since Dimebag was taken from us and it still bums me out. You know sometimes someone asks or doesn't understand, "how can you feel some kind of way about someone you didn't really know?" I understand it is a not a personal level like family or a friend. But if you think about it, I adopted Pantera into my life. Pantera was one of those bands growing up that blew me away. Just like when I first heard Slayer, it drove me deeper into what my music addiction would become. Music is a connection to life and I need it everyday.
Everyone close to me knows I am a music phanatic, die hard metalhead and just anything music. It is what I seriously care most about in life and feel what I am here for. And of course as a young metalhead rocker, I began to idolize Dimebag. It's funny cause I actually can't play guitar. I dabble with the bass and currently trying to be more productive player. I've always associated myself with vocals and still practice to this day. As for myself, I am a complete goofball, love to laugh, open minded, free spirit, caring and just love to have fun. This is where I really suited myself with Dime as I grew up. Even in the eyes of the public world wide, he was just a down to earth, funny and caring human being. As Pantera became more successful you started to see the other sides of the members through such things as "3 Vulgar Videos"(even though I was still young or nearly 20s, the videos were probably out for a few years already). Dimebag just being himself with a video camera. I associated his antics with my life, being the "party dude". Those videos of them just hanging out backstage or offstage pranking each other or making skits are hilarious! I guess it's a combination of my desire to achieve some kind of music success and just being myself.
In honor, from time to time, you could catch me with my beard dyed just like his! (I work for UPS in a warehouse so I could get away with it!) or taking a shot and cheersing to Dime.
My middle sister was sort of into the same music at the time I was around 15. I guess she noticed how much I loved this band and she took me too see Pantera on their "Reinventing The Steel" Tour. So thankful she did because we know how things went after this tour..
I really thought there would be a Pantera reunion sometime down the line and would eventually somehow meet Dime (i've met and have many autographs, some photos of bands throughout years either standing endlessly after shows or going to signings before the show, when they were FREE! But that dream never happened even when Dime and Vinnie formed Damageplan.
So rather than going into the story of when I found out of his death(which is kind of embarassing but funny to think of now. don't drink booze kids LOL! ;) ) I just wanted to share my side of why I feel attached to this beautiful human being that created a legacy that no one will forget. I will always remember his birthday and especially today and give a salute to Dime. If I can say one thing Dime gave me, is his music/videos and all I have to do is turn it on, be it Pantera/Damageplan/Rebel Meets Rebel/Dimevision and so on and remember all the good times.
Dime, you will always be in my life amd never forgotten and I will definitely make sure I spread your legacy through my own demon spawns(lol) or anyone that should hear your AXE!
Raise a glass, grab a beer, pop the Crown and Getcha Pull! Cheers! R.I.P.