BLACK LABEL SOCIETY Remembers DIMEBAG On Second Anniversary Of His Death

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY singer/guitarist Zakk Wylde, guitarist Nick Catanese and bass player John "J.D." Deservio recently spoke to Boston writer Debby Rao about the legacy of "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN) on the second anniversary of Abbott's tragic death (Dimebag was gunned down by a deranged "fan" on December 8, 2004).

Zakk Wylde: "We dedicate 'In this River' to Dimebag every night. I wrote the song before Dime passed away. It is just like I never had a brother, but Dime was my brother. I laid him to rest. It is just like that. Looking at the lyrics, this is his song. Dime was always a giver, never a taker."

Q: Do you consider Dime's death a 9/11 for all musicians? The second anniversary of Dimebag's death is December 8, and it still seems so surreal. What was going through your mind when you heard the news of Dime's death?

Catanese: I was sitting here just like now answering emails and I heard the news. I was in total disbelief but then many people called and I knew it for real and I just lost it. A person so full of life and just wanted to have a good time and jam and be buds and treat everyone like they were the star was taken from us. But he will always be around. He isn't gone he is in all of us. Dime wore his BLS vest all the time and is now forever in it, and to me that means so much. That day Vinnie lost a brother, Rita lost lost a husband and we all lost a dear friend and a great musician.

Q: Dime has made such an impact in the metal world. His legacy will live on through is music. What was your favorite PANTERA song? Do you think PANTERA helped paved the way for nu-metal as we know it today?

Catanese: "Becoming" was always my favorite and I loved "Hellbound". Fuck no, PANTERA never led into nu-metal. They were there own breed.

Q: "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott recently got inducted into the Hall of Fame in Dallas at the Hard Rock Cafe. What are your thoughts on Dime's induction?

Catanese: It's about fuckin time. Dime deserves that and more. He brought so much into the world of music. Not just great playing but as a person. He is the best and will always be.

Q: What advice did Dime ever give to you as a musician, that you will forever treasure? Describe the impact that Dime had on your career as a musician.

Catanese: He said to me after we did the show in Dallas with JUDAS PRIEST, he put his arm around me and said, "Twin, you keep jamming, you got fire and I see it. One day you will be up there with the big boys." That was such a great fucking thing for him to say to me. It put even more of a drive in me."

Q: Do you remember the first time you met "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott?

Catanese: I met Dime during the CROWBAR tour with us. He came out and hung. My best memory I have of Dime is the last time I saw him was when we opened for JUDAS PRIEST. Dime and Rita came out and we had a blast. After the show, he put arm around me and complimented the show and said "Man, I watch you up there playing note for note with the boss. Don't you ever quit and mark my words you will be one of the best." Well that about had me in tears. Here is one of my idols telling me something like that. That was just the kind of person Dime was — such a giving and caring person. "

Q: One of the highlights of the BLACK LABEL SOCIETY set on the "Shot to Hell" tour is when the band performs "In this River" in a very special tribute to Dime every night. The emotion pouring out from the band is so heartwarming.

Catanese: It is still hard to this day to play that song and not get emotional. The song was written and recorded while Dime was alive, but it fits and pays a lot of honor to him. Now that it's played on the piano, it's even more intense.

Q: What impact did "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott have on the metal world? What was Dime's motto in life?

Catanese: Be yourself and have fun every fucking day of your life. Dime never went a day without having a fucking blast. He would call me up at casinos and we would talk about how much money we had each lost. He would say "Twin, live it up man, let it roll. Getcha pull."

Q: JD, do you have any special memories of "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott that you would like to share with us?

J.D.: "Dime is loved and missed, and he's always in our thoughts and prayers. Dime is with us every night on stage!"