Died On This Date (December 8, 2004) Dimebag Darrell / Pantera
themusicsover “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott
August 20, 1966 – December 8, 2004
“Dimebag Darrell” Abbott is best remembered as the founding guitarist for metal band, Pantera. Formed with his brother, drummer Vinnie Paul in 1981, the band evolved from its early glam leanings into one of thrash metal’s most influential bands by the end of their run. In 1992, the band released what would become their breakthrough album, Cowboys From Hell, which is generally included in any legitimate survey of the greatest metal albums of all time. In 2003, the band broke up due to internal politics. The Abbott brothers went on to form Damageplan, whose debut album, New Found Power, debuted in the top 40 of the album charts and went on to sell modestly. While on a Damageplan tour in Ohio on December 8, 2004, Dimebag Darryl’s life came to a tragic end in an eerily similar to, yet much bloodier fashion than John Lennon’s murder on the same date in 1980. As Damageplan were performing at a Columbus club, an unknown and perhaps deranged fan pulled out a gun and fired five shots into Abbott, killing him instantly. The shooter wasn’t finished however, and he began firing multiple shots throughout the club, wounding others and killing a club employee, an audience member, and the band’s security guard, Jeff “Mayhem” Thompson. By the time the police arrived, the shooter had scuffled with others and was holding Damageplan’s wounded drum tech, John “Kat” Brooks hostage after he tried to overtake him. Fortunately for those left in the building, Officer John Niggemeyer fired one shot into the face of the heavily armed perpetrator as he had Brooks in a headlock. The shooter was killed instantly.
What You Should Own
Over a career that spanned nearly 40 years, Marty Robbins was one of the most popular country artists of his generation. To escape a home life that was less than ideal, Robbins enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17. And while serving in WWII, he spent much of his down time learning to play the guitar. When he returned home to the states, he pursued his show business career, eventually landing his own local radio show in Phoenix, Arizona. When touring country star, Little Jimmy Dickens guested on Robbins’ show and heard him perform, he helped him get a record deal with Columbia Records. Before long, Robbins was the toast of Nashville and a favorite performer at the Grand Ole Opry. Over the course of his career, Robbins released several charting country hits including his most popular and oft covered, “El Paso,” which won him a Grammy in 1959. He won two more Grammys over the next decade. On December 8, 1982, Marty Robbins died of complications from a cardiac surgery at the age of 57.
Member of the 
Darby Crash is best remembered as founder and lead singer for influential Los Angeles punk band, the Germs. Formed in 1977, the Germs were part of the same scene that produced X, Fear, the Circle Jerks and Black Flag. In 1977, they released a single, “Forming,” which is regarded by many to be the first punk record to come out of Los Angeles. The Germs disbanded in 1980, with Crash going on to form the Darby Crash Band, that didn’t last much longer than a handful of gigs. He got the Germs back together for a reunion show on December 3, 1980. Four days later he took his own life by overdosing on heroin in an apparent suicide pact with friend, Casey Cola who actually survived the OD. In 1981, Crash and the band were featured prominently in Penelope Spheeris’ acclaimed documentary on the L.A. punk scene, The Decline of Western Civilization.
