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This past Wednesday, December 12, many of Rock N' Roll's finest stars took over New York
City's Madison Square Garden for "12.12.12" the Concert For Sandy
Relief. The live music event helped provide assistance to the millions
of people throughout the tri-state area who have been affected by
Hurricane Sandy.
Towards the end of the event, which
finalized around 1 AM Eastern Time, THE BEATLES' legend Paul McCartney
was joined by the surviving members of NIRVANA - Dave Grohl and Krist
Novoselic - and Pat Smears from the FOO FIGHTERS. The group performed
"Cut Me Some Slack", a song that will be available to purchase as part
of a live compilation album of songs from the evening. It will also be
included on the soundtrack of Grohl's NEW movie, "Sound City Movie" (Watch the trailer HERE).
According to The Pulse Of Radio, Courtney Love (Kurt Cobain's widow), went on Facebook even before the event and wrote that she was "not amused" by McCartney's involvement, adding, "Look, if John [Lennon] were alive it would be cool."
After the performance, she returned online to post a series of trademark incoherent comments. For example: "if they don't do songs they didn't write (Nirvana songs they don't own) i don't care."
The famously controversial Love, also bashed Krist Novoselic's bass playing. Love responsed to a comment from a Facebook user named Scott, who really enjoyed the performance. Love replied, "Scott really? I will repeat, with Krist's bass playing? Lets be clear hes not exactly known for its brilliance." Watch video of this historic performance HERE!
What did you think about the performance? Let us know at the comments section below.
Last night, many of Rock N' Roll's finest stars took over New York City's Madison Square Garden for "12.12.12" the Concert For Sandy Relief. The live music event helped provide assistance to the millions of people throughout the tri-state area who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy.
Towards the end of the event, which finalized around 1 AM Eastern Time, THE BEATLES' legend Paul McCartney was joined by the surviving members of NIRVANA - Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic - and Pat Smears from the FOO FIGHTERS. The group performed "Cut Me Some Slack", a song that will be available to purchase as part of a live compilation album of songs from the evening. It will also be included on the soundtrack of Grohl's NEW movie, "Sound City Movie" (Watch the trailer HERE).
Before introducing the song, McCartney said: "Recently some guys asked me to go and jam with them. So I showed up... and in the middle of it, these guys kept saying, 'We haven't played together for years, you know?'
"The penny finally dropped, I finally understood that I was in the middle of a NIRVANA reunion."
Here is some video footage of this historic performance:
As previously reported, tonight, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, The Madison Square
Garden Company and The Weinstein Company— the same group that produced
and sponsored the historic 9/11 benefit “The Concert for New York
City”—are coming together once again to present "12.12.12" the Concert
For Sandy Relief.
This special one night only live
music event will help provide assistance to the millions of people
throughout the tri-state area who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy.
"12.12.12" the Concert For Sandy Relief will kick off at 7:30 PM ET at
Madison Square Garden in New York City. See below for viewing details. More information HERE!
According to The Sun, THE BEATLES' legend Paul McCartney is rumored to be joinng the surviving members of NIRVANA - Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic - tonight (Wednesday, December 12) at the 12-12-12 "Concert For Sandy Relief" concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The report claims that McCartney called Grohl who asked him to come and "jam with some mates" and then found himself playing with Grohl on drums, Novoselic on bass and Pat Smear on guitar. The report then quotes McCartney as saying: "I didn't really know who they were. They are saying how good it is to be back together. I said 'Whoa? You guys haven't played together for all that time?' And somebody whispered to me, 'That's NIRVANA. You're Kurt.' I couldn't believe it."
Today marks the death anniversary of two of the most influential Rock N’ Roll figures in history. We are talking about John Lennon from The Beatles, and "Dimebag” Darrell Abbott from Pantera and Damageplan. Coincidentally, they were both assassinated by delusional fans of their music. In order to celebrate the legacy of this two amazing artists, we decided to recap both of their lives. So raise your horns way up for Lennon and Dimebag, clear your eyes, and read on...
John Winston Ono Lennon was born on October 9, 1940 in Liverpool UK. Lennon gained worldwide fame when him and Paul McCartney formed The Beatles. In our opinion the Lennon-McCartney duo, is the most successful and influential songwriting partnerships of the 20th century. Lennon's first band was The Quarrymen, which evolved into The Beatles in 1960. By the end of the decade the group started disintegrating, and Lennon embarked into a solo career. This is when he released the highly acclaimed albums “John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band” and “Imagine”, with iconic songs such as “Give Peace a Chance” and “Imagine”. In 1975, Lennon took a break from the music industry to devote time to his family. After 5 years he re-merged with an album titled “Double Fantasy”.
Three weeks after the release of “Double Fantasy”, Lennon was shot it in the back 4 times by Mark David Chapman as he was entering his apartment in Manhattan NY. Lennon was taken to the Emergency Room of Roosevelt Hospital, but was pronounced dead upon arrival at 11:07 pm. His wife Yoko Ono released the following statement the next day: “There is no funeral for John, John loved and prayed for the human race. Please pray the same for him.” Lennon was cremated in Hartsdale New York and his ashes were scattered in New York’s Central Park, which is where the “Strawberry Fields Memorial” can be found.
You may be wondering what this has to do with Heavy Music. Well, John Lennon and The Beatles are direct influences of Black Sabbath, which ultimately influenced every single Heavy Music band including Pantera!
Pantera’s guitarist Dimebag Darrell Abbott was born on August 20, 1966 in Ennis Texas. Influenced by his father Jerry Abbott who is a country musician and producer, Dime and his brother Vinnie Paul fell in love with music at a young age. At first Dimebag wanted to play the drums but his older brother Vinnie took over the drum kit. This was tough for Dime, who eventually started playing the trombone. However, his father was not having it, and convinced Dime to try playing the guitar. Goddamn, was his father right!
Dime’s first guitar was a Hondo Les Paul, which he got with a small amplifier. At the beginning all he did was pose in front of the mirror with Ace Frehley (Kiss) makeup, and his guitar in hand. Vinnie needed someone to play with so he started harassing his little brother. One day, Dime goes into the jam room and tells Vinnie: “Hey dude, you want to jam?” Little did they know that they were planting the seed of what would later become Pantera, which is arguably the best Heavy Metal band of the 90’s.
After a few months of jamming classics like Deep Purple’s “Smoke In The Water” with Vinnie. Dime started competing on local guitar competitions, which he usually won. On one of these competitions he was awarded a Dean ML. Coincidentally, his father Jerry had bought him a cherry burst finish Dean ML standard, the same morning of the competition. At another competition, he won a Randall Amplifier. As we all know, this became Pantera’s signature sound. Eventually, the organizers barred Dimebag from competing, because they wanted to give other kids a chance to win.
In 1981, Dimebag formed Pantera with his brother Vinnie. The two recruited vocalist Terrence Glaze (replaced by Philip Anselmo in 1987) and bassist Rex Brown. After releasing 4 albums that were produced by their father, who also owned a studio called “Pantego Sound”. Pantera got their big break, and things would never be the same in the Heavy Music World. Signed by Atco Records, who had already turned them down, the story about how Pantera got signed is very unique.
After being stranded in Texas due to a hurricane, Mark Ross (Atco Records) was asked by his boss to go check out Pantera, who were playing a birthday party in Dallas. After experiencing the insanity of Pantera (there was birthday cake all over the floor), Mark called his boss and told him: “We have to sign this guys!” Next thing you know Dimebag heads over to Philip Anselmo’s house and shows him the record contract.
From that moment on Pantera put the pedal to the Metal and started taking over the world. The band got their big break when the Metal God Rob Halford, invited the band to tour with Judas Priest in Europe. Soon after, they were asked to play the “Monsters of Rock” festival in Moscow Russia in front of 1,000,000 people. That day they outperformed Metallica, AC/DC, and the Black Crowes. During their successful career, Pantera also shared the stage with legendary bands like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Slayer, Megadeth, Motörhead, and Venom.
After 13 years of hard-hitting success, and releasing classic albums such as Cowboys From Hell, Vulgar Display of Power, and Far Beyond Driven (which charted #1 on Billboard). Pantera’s career came to a halt, mainly because of Anselmo’s addiction problems. After various failed attempts of communicating with Philip, Dimebag and Vinnie decided to start a new band called Damageplan.
In order to complete the lineup, Dime and Vinnie recruited former Rob Halford guitarist Pat Lachman to perform vocal duties, and Bob Zilla on bass. Damageplan released “ New Found Power” in the US on February 10, 2004. When writing music for Damageplan, Dimebag said that: "Damageplan wanted to stretch out and expand our capabilities to their fullest.”
On December 8th 2004, Nathan Gale shot Dimebag Darrell Abbott on stage, while Damageplan was performing at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus Ohio. Dime was shot six times (four times in the head), which killed him instantly. Gale continued shooting, killing four others and wounding a further seven. Jeff “Mayhem” Thompson (Damageplan’s head of security) was killed after tackling Gale, as was Alrosa Villa employee Erin Halk. Nathan Bray (a fan of the band) was killed while trying to perform CPR on Dimebag and Mayhem. Gale was finally shot dead by officer James James D. Niggemeyer. Dimebag Darrell was laid to rest at the Moore Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Arlington, Texas. From that moment on Heavy Music was never the same.
“I remember when I met Dimebag in Cologne Germany after Pantera’s spectacular performance. We see Dime in the distance (at least 20 feet away); we call him up and next thing you know he stumbles towards us. He was drunk as hell, and said that we were way too sober for being at a Pantera show! He calls Bobby (Pantera videographer) over, and tells him: “get this kids some blacktooths and get them on the new home video.” Lo and behold Bobby came back with some blacktooths, which we all put back fast. To this day I think of Dimebag every day, because he is the driven force of the lifestyle that we Metaleros share and are proud of.” –Jo Schuftan (founder of Horns Up Rocks)
We want to dedicate this piece to Dimebag Darrell Abbott and his family, John Lennon and his family, and Juan Carlos Posada (who committed suicide 2 years ago). Juan Carlos was Jo Schuftan’s best friend in High School, and together they lived some of the best and hardest years of their lives in Colombia. RIP brother, I love you so much and hope to see you again some day! \m/
Philip Anselmo is one of the best Heavy Music vocalists of all time! His musical ear was trained by the slew of bands that were around the French Quarters in New Orleans, Louisiana, which is were Anselmo grew up. Here are some of Anselmo's favorite songs. Let us know which are YOUR favorite songs at the comments section below.
- SLAYER: "At Dawn They Sleep"
- LED ZEPPELIN: "Battle Of Evermore"
- U2: "A Drowning Man"
- SWANS: "Blind"
- THE ROLLING STONES: "Painted Black"
- THE BEATLES: "A Day In A Life"
- QUEEN: "The Prophet's Song"
Alex Chadwick, from the Chicago Music Exchange, came up with a very cool idea: to briefly demonstrate the history of Rock N’ Roll by playing 100 famous guitar riffs in one take, from oldest to newest. This is awesome. Check the video and the artist list below:
Songlist in order:
1) Mr. Sandman by Chet Atkins (1953): A Key
2) Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash (1955): E Key
3) Words of Love by Buddy Holly (1957): A Key
4) Johnny B Goode by Chuck Berry (1958): A Key
5) Rumble by Link Wray (1958): E Key
6) Summertime Blues by Eddie Cochran (1958): E Key
7) Pipeline by The Chantays (1962): E Key
8) Miserlou by Dick Dale (1962): E Key
9) Wipeout by Surfaris (1963): B Key
10) Daytripper by The Beatles (1965): E Key
11) Can't Explain by The Who (1965): B Key
12) Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones (1965): E Key
13) Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix (1967): E Key
14) Black Magic Woman by Santana (1968): D Key
15) Helter Skelter by The Beatles (1968): E Key
16) Oh Well by Fleetwood Mac (1969): E Key
17) Crossroads by Cream (1969): A Key
18) Communication Breakdown by Led Zeppelin (1969): E Key
19) Paranoid by Black Sabbath (1970): E Key
20) Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1970): G Key
21) Funk 49 by James Gang (1970): A Key
22) Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin (1970): F# Key
23) Bitch by Rolling Stones (1971): A Key
24) Layla by Derek and the Dominos (1971): Eb Key
25) School's Out by Alice Cooper (1972): Eb Key
26) Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple (1973): G Key
27) Money by Pink Floyd (1973): B Key
28) Jessica by Allman Brothers (1973): A Key
29) La Grange by ZZ Top (1973): A Key
30) 20th Century Boy by T. Rex (1973): E Key
31) Scarlet Begonias by Grateful Dead (1974): B Key
32) Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974): E Key
33) Walk This Way by Aerosmith (1975): E Key
34) Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen (1975): Eb - C Key
35) Stranglehold by Ted Nugent (1975): A Key
36) Boys Are Back in Town by Thin Lizzy (1976): B Key
37) Don't Fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult (1976): A Key
38) Carry on My Wayward Son by Kansas (1976): A Key
39) Blitzkreig Bop by The Ramones (1976): A Key
40) Barracuda by Heart (1977): E Key
41) Runnin' with the Devil by Van Halen (1978): Eb Key
42) Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits (1978): A Key
43) Message in a Bottle by The Police (1979): C# Key
44) Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black) by Neil Young (1979): A Key
45) Back in Black by AC/DC (1980): E Key
46) Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne (1980): F# Key
47) Spirit of Radio by Rush (1980): E Key
48) Pride and Joy by Stevie Ray Vaughan (1983) :E Key
49) Owner of a Lonely Heart by Yes (1983): A Key
50) Holy Diver by Dio (1983): C Key
51) Beat It by Michael Jackson (1983): E Key
52) Hot For Teacher by Van Halen (1984): A Key
53) What Difference Does It Make by The Smiths (1984): B Key
54) Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen (1985): A Key
55) Money For Nothing by Dire Straits (1985): G Key
56) You Give Love a Bad Name by Bon Jovi (1986): C Key
57) The One I Love by REM (1987): E Key
58) Where the Streets Have No Name by U2 (1987): D Key
59) Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N' Roses (1987): E Key
60) Sweet Child 'O Mine by Guns N' Roses (1987): E Key
61) Girls, Girls, Girls by Motley Crue (1987): D Key
62) Cult of Personality by Living Colour (1988): G Key
63) Kickstart My Heart by Motley Crue (1989): D Key
64) Running Down a Dream by Tom Petty (1989): E Key
65) Pictures of Matchstick Men by Camper Van Beethoven (1989): D Key
66) Thunderstruck by AC/DC (1989): B Key
67) Twice as Hard by Black Crowes (1990): G Key
68) Cliffs of Dover by Eric Johnson (1990): E Key
69) Enter Sandman by Metallica (1991): E Key
70) Man in the Box by Alice in Chains (1991): E Key
71) Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana (1991): F Key
72) Give it Away by Red Hot Chili Peppers (1991): D Key
73) Even Flow by Pearl Jam (1991): D Key
74) Outshined by Soundgarden (1991): D Key
75) Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine (1992): D Key
76) Sex Type Thing by Stone Temple Pilots (1993): E Key
77) Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz (1993): E Key
78) Welcome to Paradise by Green Day (1994): E Key
79) Possum Kingdom by Toadies (1995): E Key
80) Say it Ain't So by Weezer (1995): E Key
81) Zero by Smashing Pumpkins (1996): E Key
82) Monkey Wrench by Foo Fighters (1997): B Key
83) Sex and Candy by Marcy Playground (1997): D Key
84) Smooth by Santana (1999): A Key
85) Scar Tissue by Red Hot Chili Peppers (1999): F Key
86) Short Skirt, Long Jacket by Cake (2001): D Key
87) Turn a Square by The Shins (2003): E Key
88) Seven Nation Army by White Stripes (2003): E Key
89) Hysteria by Muse (2003): A Key
90) I Believe in a Thing Called Love by The Darkness (2003): F# Key
91) Blood and Thunder by Mastodon (2004): D Key
92) Are You Gonna Be My Girl by Jet (2004): A Key
93) Reptilia by The Strokes (2004): B Key
94) Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand (2004): E Key
95) Float On by Modest Mouse (2004): F# Key
96) Blue Orchid by White Stripes (2005): G Key
97) Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day (2005): F Key
98) Steady As She Goes by The Raconteurs (2006): Bb Key
99) I Got Mine by Black Keys (2008): E Key
100) Cruel by St. Vincent (2011): F# Key
Multi-instrumentalist ARJEN LUCASSEN has posted a NEW video for the track "Pink Beatles in a Purple Zeppelin," taken from his recently released concept solo album, 'Lost In The New Real'. The video was mainly shot where ARJEN grew up, near the sea in Holland. In regards to the video, ARJEN comments: "It's a very 'Dutch' clip, windmills and all! So you could say this clip goes back to my roots, also musically. It features many visual links (at least 10!) to the bands and albums that I grew up listening to. Peace, man!"
To watch "Pink Beatles in a Purple Zeppelin", click on the PLAY button below:
Featuring artwork created by ARJEN andrenowned designer Claudio Bergamin, plus an appearance by legendary actor Rutger Hauer as the album's narrator, 'Lost In The New Real' is a double-CD that tells the story of Mr. L, a 21st century man who was cryo-preserved at the moment of clinical death from a terminal disease. The album begins as Mr. L is being revived at a point in the distant future, when technology has advanced enough to cure his disease. Mr. L finds himself in a world that has drastically changed -- to the point that the line between what's real and what's not is no longer clear.
The tracks on disc 1 follow Mr. L's emotional journey as he is confronted with both serious and comical aspects of the "New Real" and desperately tries to decide if he can find a meaningful place within it. Disc 2 is a mix of tracks that are part of the concept but didn't fit on disc 1, plus cover songs related to the concept.
The track-listing for this epic concept album is as follows:
Lost In The New Real (disc 1):
1. The New Real
2. Pink Beatles In A Purple Zeppelin
3. Parental Procreation Permit
4. When I'm A Hundred Sixty-Four
5. E-Police
6. Don't Switch Me Off
7. Dr Slumber's Eternity Home
8. Yellowstone Memorial Day
9. Where Pigs Fly
10. Lost In The New Real
Lost In The New Real (disc 2):
1. Our Imperfect Race
2. Welcome To The Machine (PINK FLOYD cover)
3. So Is There No God?
4. Veteran Of The Psychic Wars (BLUE OYSTER CULT cover)
Today (June 18th) marks Paul McCartney's 70th birthday. In celebration of Sir Paul's birthday, LightBox culled various photography archives to feature 70 iconic images of the Beatle—one for each year of his life—with text from the introduction of TIME’s new book, "Paul McCartney: The Legend Rocks On", by James Kaplan.
Here is an excerpt from the book:
“I’ve always had this thing of him and me,” Paul McCartney told Barry Miles, his authorized biographer, in 1996. “He goes onstage, he’s famous, and then me; I’m just some kid from Liverpool … this little kid who used to run down the streets in Speke … collecting jam jars, damming up streams in the woods. I still very much am him grown up.
“Occasionally, I stop and think, I am Paul McCartney … hell, that is a total freak-out! You know, Paul McCartney! Just the words, it sounds like a total kind of legend. But, of course, you don’t want to go thinking that too much because it takes over.” And yet, “when I go on tour, I’m glad of the legendary thing,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to try and entertain 60,000 people in a Texas stadium with just the guy next door.”
No, that wouldn’t do at all. And so—still, in 2012—he steps out on the stage of whatever arena he may be playing, in whichever corner of the world—it scarcely matters where or what language they speak; everyone knows him and loves him, everyone knows the words to all the songs—and, as the roar rises to the rafters, begins singing, for the umpteenth time and with undiminished joy:
Roll up, roll up for the magical mystery tour, step right this way …
Today—inconceivably—he turns 70, and he’s still rolling. Fast. In the months before the big day, he seemed to be everywhere at once: touring in Helsinki and Moscow and Liverpool. Getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Playing at the MusiCares benefit (where he was honored as Person of the Year). Playing at the Grammys. Attending his daughter Stella’s fashion show in Paris. Vacationing in St. Barts with his wife Nancy Shevell—and then touring some more, in Rotterdam and Zurich and London.
It was almost as though, if he moved fast enough and squeezed in enough events, he might sideslip the 18th of June altogether and proceed to the next golden stage, untouched and untallied. Exactly the kind of dream a little kid running down the street in Liverpool might dream.
Except that no one, in his wildest imaginings, could have dreamed all that had happened to him in the years between then and now.
All four of them had remarkable faces, but only his was beautiful, the big-eyed, long-lashed looks saved from mere prettiness by a persistent, perhaps willfully untended, five-o’clock shadow and those asymmetrical, ironically arched brows, which seemed to say, I’ve got the goods. No, really. Think I’m kidding?
He had the goods, and then some. “Oh, beyond measure—on a Mozart level,” the musician and record producer Peter Asher told TIME recently, speaking of the musical gifts of the brash young -Liverpudlian who, beginning in 1963, dated his sister Jane and, though already famous, bunked in the attic of the Asher family’s town house on Wimpole Street: the attic where the melody of “Yesterday” came to him one night in a dream.
That, of course, was many yesterdays ago. And while Paul McCartney’s youthful beauty has gone the way of youth, the immense musical talent endures, along with, at the biblical three score and 10, something perhaps even more remarkable: “He keeps on going,” says another longtime acquaintance, the writer and director Michael Lindsay-Hogg. “He doesn’t have to. He’s got all the money and all the success, and he’s written some great songs. In Tennessee Williams’ Camino Real … there’s [a line]: ‘Make voyages, attempt them; there’s nothing else.’ I think that’s Paul.”
At 70, he voyages still, maintaining a schedule that would give pause to a man half his age: a 30-concert tour in 2011-2012, from the Bronx to Bologna, Moscow to Montevideo to Mexico City. “My wife says he’s an alien from the Planet Fab,” says Paul “Wix” Wickens, the keyboardist in the band that has backed McCartney for the past 10 years. (The band also includes bassist Rusty Anderson, guitarist/bassist Brian Ray and drummer Abe Laboriel Jr.)
“If you’re enjoying it, why do something else?” McCartney asked Rolling Stone, rhetorically, earlier this year. His pleasure in his art and his craft seems as pure as it was when he first picked up a guitar almost 60 years ago. “He absolutely loves music,” Wickens says. “He loves to play. And he loves being involved. He’s always doing something. When we [in the band] are not working, he is not not-working. He does relax, and he does take holidays. But he puts his head into other places, not just pop music, because he likes a challenge, he likes just to be doing it.”
Funny, the things an ordinary man will come up with.
Today marks the death anniversary of two of the most influential Rock N’ Roll figures in history. We are talking about John Lennon from The Beatles, and "Dimebag” Darrell Abbott from Pantera and Damageplan. Coincidentally, they were both assassinated by delusional fans of their music. In order to celebrate the legacy of this two amazing artists, we decided to recap both of their lives. So raise your horns way UP for Lennon and Dimebag!
John Winston Ono Lennon was born on October 9, 1940 in Liverpool UK. Lennon gained worldwide fame when him and Paul McCartney formed The Beatles. In our opinion the Lennon-McCartney duo, is the most successful and influential songwriting partnerships of the 20th century. Lennon's first band was The Quarrymen, which evolved into The Beatles in 1960. By the end of the decade the group started disintegrating, and Lennon embarked into a solo career. This is when he released the highly acclaimed albums “John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band” and “Imagine”, with iconic songs such as “Give Peace a Chance” and “Imagine”. In 1975, Lennon took a break from the music industry to devote time to his family. After 5 years he re-merged with an album titled “Double Fantasy”.
Three weeks after the release of “Double Fantasy”, Lennon was shot it in the back 4 times by Mark David Chapman as he was entering his apartment in Manhattan NY. Lennon was taken to the Emergency Room of Roosevelt Hospital, but was pronounced dead upon arrival at 11:07 pm. His wife Yoko Ono released the following statement the next day: “There is no funeral for John, John loved and prayed for the human race. Please pray the same for him.” Lennon was cremated in Hartsdale New York and his ashes were scattered in New York’s Central Park, which is where the “Strawberry Fields Memorial” can be found.
You may be wondering what this has to do with Heavy Music. Well, John Lennon and The Beatles are direct influences of Black Sabbath, which ultimately influenced every single Heavy Music band including Pantera!
Pantera’s guitarist Dimebag Darrell Abbott was born on August 20, 1966 in Ennis Texas. Influenced by his father Jerry Abbott who is a country musician and producer, Dime and his brother Vinnie Paul fell in love with music at a young age. At first Dimebag wanted to play the drums but his older brother Vinnie took over the drum kit. This was tough for Dime, who eventually started playing the trombone. However, his father was not having it, and convinced Dime to try playing the guitar. Goddamn, was his father right!
Dime’s first guitar was a Hondo Les Paul, which he got with a small amplifier. At the beginning all he did was pose in front of the mirror with Ace Frehley (Kiss) makeup, and his guitar in hand. Vinnie needed someone to play with so he started harassing his little brother. One day, Dime goes into the jam room and tells Vinnie: “Hey dude, you want to jam?” Little did they know that they were planting the seed of what would later become Pantera, which is arguably the best Heavy Metal band of the 90’s.
After a few months of jamming classics like Deep Purple’s “Smoke In The Water” with Vinnie. Dime started competing on local guitar competitions, which he usually won. On one of these competitions he was awarded a Dean ML. Coincidentally, his father Jerry had bought him a cherry burst finish Dean ML standard, the same morning of the competition. At another competition, he won a Randall Amplifier. As we all know, this became Pantera’s signature sound. Eventually, the organizers barred Dimebag from competing, because they wanted to give other kids a chance to win.
In 1981, Dimebag formed Pantera with his brother Vinnie. The two recruited vocalist Terrence Glaze (replaced by Philip Anselmo in 1987) and bassist Rex Brown. After releasing 4 albums that were produced by their father, who also owned a studio called “Pantego Sound”. Pantera got their big break, and things would never be the same in the Heavy Music World. Signed by Atco Records, who had already turned them down, the story about how Pantera got signed is very unique.
After being stranded in Texas due to a hurricane, Mark Ross (Atco Records) was asked by his boss to go check out Pantera, who were playing a birthday party in Dallas. After experiencing the insanity of Pantera (there was birthday cake all over the floor), Mark called his boss and told him: “We have to sign this guys!” Next thing you know Dimebag heads over to Philip Anselmo’s house and shows him the record contract.
From that moment on Pantera put the pedal to the Metal and started taking over the world. The band got their big break when the Metal God Rob Halford, invited the band to tour with Judas Priest in Europe. Soon after, they were asked to play the “Monsters of Rock” festival in Moscow Russia in front of 1,000,000 people. That day they outperformed Metallica, AC/DC, and the Black Crowes. During their successful career, Pantera also shared the stage with legendary bands like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Slayer, Megadeth, Motörhead, and Venom.
After 13 years of hard-hitting success, and releasing classic albums such as Cowboys From Hell, Vulgar Display of Power, and Far Beyond Driven (which charted #1 on Billboard). Pantera’s career came to a halt, mainly because of Anselmo’s addiction problems. After various failed attempts of communicating with Philip, Dimebag and Vinnie decided to start a new band called Damageplan.
In order to complete the lineup, Dime and Vinnie recruited former Rob Halford guitarist Pat Lachman to perform vocal duties, and Bob Zilla on bass. Damageplan released “ New Found Power” in the US on February 10, 2004. When writing music for Damageplan, Dimebag said that: "Damageplan wanted to stretch out and expand our capabilities to their fullest.”
On December 8th 2004, Nathan Gale shot Dimebag Darrell Abbott on stage, while Damageplan was performing at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus Ohio. Dime was shot six times (four times in the head), which killed him instantly. Gale continued shooting, killing four others and wounding a further seven. Jeff “Mayhem” Thompson (Damageplan’s head of security) was killed after tackling Gale, as was Alrosa Villa employee Erin Halk. Nathan Bray (a fan of the band) was killed while trying to perform CPR on Dimebag and Mayhem. Gale was finally shot dead by officer James James D. Niggemeyer. Dimebag Darrell was laid to rest at the Moore Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Arlington, Texas. From that moment on Heavy Music was never the same.
“I remember when I met Dimebag in Cologne Germany after Pantera’s spectacular performance. We see Dime in the distance (at least 20 feet away); we call him up and next thing you know he stumbles towards us. He was drunk as hell, and said that we were way too sober for being at a Pantera show! He calls Bobby (Pantera videographer) over, and tells him: “get this kids some blacktooths and get them on the new home video.” Lo and behold Bobby came back with some blacktooths, which we all put back fast. To this day I think of Dimebag every day, because he is the driven force of the lifestyle that we Metaleros share and are proud of.” –Jo Schuftan (founder of Horns Up Rocks)
We want to dedicate this piece to Dimebag Darrell Abbott and his family, John Lennon and his family, and Juan Carlos Posada (who committed suicide 3 years ago). Juan Carlos was Jo Schuftan’s best friend in High School, and together they lived some of the best and hardest years of their lives in Colombia. RIP brother, I love you so much and hope to see you again some day! \m/
This Saturday, December 10th, Horns Up Rocks proudly presents "A Holiday Tribute Show For Dimebag Darrell"! Here are all the details.
Today marks the death anniversary of two of the most influential Rock N’ Roll figures in history. We are talking about John Lennon from The Beatles, and "Dimebag” Darrell Abbott from Pantera and Damageplan. Coincidentally, they were both assassinated by delusional fans of their music. In order to celebrate the legacy of this two amazing artists, we decided to recap both of their lives. So raise your horns way up for Lennon and Dimebag, clear your eyes, and read on...
John Winston Ono Lennon was born on October 9, 1940 in Liverpool UK. Lennon gained worldwide fame when him and Paul McCartney formed The Beatles. In our opinion the Lennon-McCartney duo, is the most successful and influential songwriting partnerships of the 20th century. Lennon's first band was The Quarrymen, which evolved into The Beatles in 1960. By the end of the decade the group started disintegrating, and Lennon embarked into a solo career. This is when he released the highly acclaimed albums “John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band” and “Imagine”, with iconic songs such as “Give Peace a Chance” and “Imagine”. In 1975, Lennon took a break from the music industry to devote time to his family. After 5 years he re-merged with an album titled “Double Fantasy”.
Three weeks after the release of “Double Fantasy”, Lennon was shot it in the back 4 times by Mark David Chapman as he was entering his apartment in Manhattan NY. Lennon was taken to the Emergency Room of Roosevelt Hospital, but was pronounced dead upon arrival at 11:07 pm. His wife Yoko Ono released the following statement the next day: “There is no funeral for John, John loved and prayed for the human race. Please pray the same for him.” Lennon was cremated in Hartsdale New York and his ashes were scattered in New York’s Central Park, which is where the “Strawberry Fields Memorial” can be found.
You may be wondering what this has to do with Heavy Music. Well, John Lennon and The Beatles are direct influences of Black Sabbath, which ultimately influenced every single Heavy Music band including Pantera!
Pantera’s guitarist Dimebag Darrell Abbott was born on August 20, 1966 in Ennis Texas. Influenced by his father Jerry Abbott who is a country musician and producer, Dime and his brother Vinnie Paul fell in love with music at a young age. At first Dimebag wanted to play the drums but his older brother Vinnie took over the drum kit. This was tough for Dime, who eventually started playing the trombone. However, his father was not having it, and convinced Dime to try playing the guitar. Goddamn, was his father right!
Dime’s first guitar was a Hondo Les Paul, which he got with a small amplifier. At the beginning all he did was pose in front of the mirror with Ace Frehley (Kiss) makeup, and his guitar in hand. Vinnie needed someone to play with so he started harassing his little brother. One day, Dime goes into the jam room and tells Vinnie: “Hey dude, you want to jam?” Little did they know that they were planting the seed of what would later become Pantera, which is arguably the best Heavy Metal band of the 90’s.
After a few months of jamming classics like Deep Purple’s “Smoke In The Water” with Vinnie. Dime started competing on local guitar competitions, which he usually won. On one of these competitions he was awarded a Dean ML. Coincidentally, his father Jerry had bought him a cherry burst finish Dean ML standard, the same morning of the competition. At another competition, he won a Randall Amplifier. As we all know, this became Pantera’s signature sound. Eventually, the organizers barred Dimebag from competing, because they wanted to give other kids a chance to win.
In 1981, Dimebag formed Pantera with his brother Vinnie. The two recruited vocalist Terrence Glaze (replaced by Philip Anselmo in 1987) and bassist Rex Brown. After releasing 4 albums that were produced by their father, who also owned a studio called “Pantego Sound”. Pantera got their big break, and things would never be the same in the Heavy Music World. Signed by Atco Records, who had already turned them down, the story about how Pantera got signed is very unique.
After being stranded in Texas due to a hurricane, Mark Ross (Atco Records) was asked by his boss to go check out Pantera, who were playing a birthday party in Dallas. After experiencing the insanity of Pantera (there was birthday cake all over the floor), Mark called his boss and told him: “We have to sign this guys!” Next thing you know Dimebag heads over to Philip Anselmo’s house and shows him the record contract.
From that moment on Pantera put the pedal to the Metal and started taking over the world. The band got their big break when the Metal God Rob Halford, invited the band to tour with Judas Priest in Europe. Soon after, they were asked to play the “Monsters of Rock” festival in Moscow Russia in front of 1,000,000 people. That day they outperformed Metallica, AC/DC, and the Black Crowes. During their successful career, Pantera also shared the stage with legendary bands like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Slayer, Megadeth, Motörhead, and Venom.
After 13 years of hard-hitting success, and releasing classic albums such as Cowboys From Hell, Vulgar Display of Power, and Far Beyond Driven (which charted #1 on Billboard). Pantera’s career came to a halt, mainly because of Anselmo’s addiction problems. After various failed attempts of communicating with Philip, Dimebag and Vinnie decided to start a new band called Damageplan.
In order to complete the lineup, Dime and Vinnie recruited former Rob Halford guitarist Pat Lachman to perform vocal duties, and Bob Zilla on bass. Damageplan released “ New Found Power” in the US on February 10, 2004. When writing music for Damageplan, Dimebag said that: "Damageplan wanted to stretch out and expand our capabilities to their fullest.”
On December 8th 2004, Nathan Gale shot Dimebag Darrell Abbott on stage, while Damageplan was performing at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus Ohio. Dime was shot six times (four times in the head), which killed him instantly. Gale continued shooting, killing four others and wounding a further seven. Jeff “Mayhem” Thompson (Damageplan’s head of security) was killed after tackling Gale, as was Alrosa Villa employee Erin Halk. Nathan Bray (a fan of the band) was killed while trying to perform CPR on Dimebag and Mayhem. Gale was finally shot dead by officer James James D. Niggemeyer. Dimebag Darrell was laid to rest at the Moore Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Arlington, Texas. From that moment on Heavy Music was never the same.
“I remember when I met Dimebag in Cologne Germany after Pantera’s spectacular performance. We see Dime in the distance (at least 20 feet away); we call him up and next thing you know he stumbles towards us. He was drunk as hell, and said that we were way too sober for being at a Pantera show! He calls Bobby (Pantera videographer) over, and tells him: “get this kids some blacktooths and get them on the new home video.” Lo and behold Bobby came back with some blacktooths, which we all put back fast. To this day I think of Dimebag every day, because he is the driven force of the lifestyle that we Metaleros share and are proud of.” –Jo Schuftan (founder of Horns Up Rocks)
We want to dedicate this piece to Dimebag Darrell Abbott and his family, John Lennon and his family, and Juan Carlos Posada (who committed suicide 2 years ago). Juan Carlos was Jo Schuftan’s best friend in High School, and together they lived some of the best and hardest years of their lives in Colombia. RIP brother, I love you so much and hope to see you again some day! \m/
