Various members of heavy metal’s elite will perform an all-star tribute to the late Dimebag Darrell August 9 in Dallas Texas at Ozzfest 2008 at Pizza Hut Park. Participants will include Dime’s brother and longtime bandmate Vinnie Paul, Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett, Slayer guitarist Kerry King, Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell and bassist Mike Inez, King Diamond, Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian and drummer Charlie Benante, Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta, Hellyeah and Mudvayne singer Chad Gray and Hellyeah and ex-Damageplan bassist Bob Zilla.
The tribute will begin immediately after a set by Vinnie Paul’s current band Hellyeah. The musicians are expected to play numerous songs by Pantera, the band that made Dime a hero of the metal community. Tragically, Darrell was shot and killed while his band Damageplan were performing onstage in Ohio on December 8, 2004.
“Dimebag’s” longtime partner Rita Haney–who has worked tirelessly to keep his spirit alive– helped organize the tribute. “To have this event on the Mainstage at Ozzfest in Dallas is such a treat and an honor,” she said in a statement. “When this tragedy originally happened, I saw the music community come together like I’ve never seen before. To have the name ‘Dimebag’ still, to this day, unite musicians to pay homage in such a respectful way, is very overwhelming. In Dime’s vision, it’s always been about a damn good time.”
This year’s Ozzfest will be one-day festival that will also feature main stage performers Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, Serj Tankian, Hellyeah, Jonathan Davis, Cavalera Conspiracy, Shadows Fall, Apocalyptica and In This Moment. The Jagermeister Second Stage will showcase Sevendust, DevilDriver, Kingdom of Sorrow, Soilent Green, Witchcraft and Goatwhore. The Monster Energy Texas third stage will feature The Sword, Drowning Pool, Rigor Mortis, Within Chaos and The Destro — all of which are from the Lone Star State.
Now check out some vids of Dime in his prime:
