Former FLEETWOOD MAC Guitarist Apologizes For 'Insensitive' DIMEBAG Comment

Guitarist Rick Vito (FLEETWOOD MAC, JOHN MAYALL) has contacted BLABBERMOUTH.NET to apologize for a seemingly insensitive comment he made about late PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott as part of a recent online article about the relationship between music and real-life violence.

Asked by Norway's Imhotep Zine if there is any connection between heavy music and violence / killings / crimes against humanity, Vito responded in a piece published last month, "This is the first time in the history of recorded music where record companies and the powers that be have given the thumbs up to music releases that preach violence, hatred, illegal drug use, misogyny, and complete disregard for the harmful effects all this has on children. It's utterly sad that some artists these days have so little class, respect, or decency as human beings to think about the results of their heaping this garbage out into our society. That is why you will continue to see people like 'Dimebag Darrell' meeting an unfortunate end. What goes around eventually comes around. Nowadays I listen to music of the '30s, '40s, '50s, and '60s. Compared to these eras, we don't measure up in quality."

In an effort to clarify his comments, Vito has sent the following message to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:

"I recently became aware that an email response I made on violence in today's music has been published in Imhotep. The quote contained a reference to Dimebag Darrell.

I must ask to take this opportunity to clarify certain things about my response to the question I was asked by Thiago Sarkis [Imhotep Zine contributor]. At the time I thought I was answering an 'opinion poll' on violence and did not take full notice that my comments would be published.

"The subject of violence in music (and everywhere else) upsets me greatly, and I am totally against violence of all kinds, because I do believe that 'what goes around comes around,' meaning that 'violence only begets more senseless violence.'

"I am sorry to say that at the time I answered the email I did not know specifically about the tragic Dimebag Darrell killing, who he was, or anything about his music. It was wrong of me to comment on the subject of violence by making a reference to him without knowing a thing about what actually happened. I was aware that someone called Dimebag had been killed only because Thiago mentioned the name, and I hastily assumed it was a drug-related gang incident. How wrong I was, and I am very sorry now that I did not seek more information before firing off my email.

"I only meant to make a statement on violence, and in doing so I can now see that those who loved Dimebag could be upset by the way I worded my response. It was not my intention to speak insensitively about the man, while expressing my frustration with violence and other negativity found in music in general. To Dimebag, and anyone I caused to become angry or upset, I do apologize."