ZAKK WYLDE Would Be 'Honored' To Celebrate DIMEBAG's Greatness In PANTERA Reunion

Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE) recently answered a number of fan-submitted questions via his official YouTube channel.

When asked about former PANTERA drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott's recent comment that if PANTERA ever reformed, Zakk would be the man to replace the band's late guitarist — and Vinnie's brother — "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, Zakk said (see video below),"My thoughts on the PANTERA thing… Everybody's been asking me about it now, too. Which is cool. I love [Vinnie Paul]. Rex [Brown, PANTERA bassist] I saw at my roast [in January]. It was great seeing Rex again. And Phil [Anselmo, PANTERA singer], I know. . . Put it this way, if the guys were ever to do that and they asked me to… Obviously, it would be to honor Dimebag's greatness and the band's amazing achievements. I mean, to me, as far as I'm concerned, if the guys were to do it, it would just be a celebration of everything they achieved and a celebration of Dime's life and Dime's greatness. So, of course, I'd be honored to play my fallen brother's stuff, without a doubt. And I know he'd be getting a kick out if it, too. That's for sure; he'd be laughing his ass off. But that's all up to the guys. So whatever… I'd always be there for them. Without a doubt."

Speaking to Cindy Scull of the Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas radio station 97.1 The Eagle Rocks back in March, Vinnie Paul stated about the possibility of a PANTERA "reunion" with Wylde filling in for Dimebag. "[Zakk] and my brother were so tight. If [a PANTERA reformation] ever were to happen, [Zakk] would be the guy [to step in for Dimebag]. But I honestly think, out of respect for my brother, we should just leave the 14 amazing years PANTERA had be. We're all happy doing our own thing. We have to continue living and do other things."

Last month, former PANTERA singer Philip Anselmo was asked by Ned of the WGRD 97.9 FM radio station in Grand Rapids, Michigan about the likelihood of a PANTERA reformation with Wylde, "That's an interesting question," he said. "Well, look, before anything like that could possibly happen, Vince and I would have to actually be in the same room, we'd have to sit down, hash out whatever differences, demons… whatever… we'd have to hash it all out. And as far as Zakk Wylde goes, I'm not so sold on all that, because I think he and I have to sit down and hash some crap out. That day has not come yet, and [when] that day comes, I can comment further on it. As of right now, it's just talk."

Former PANTERA bassist Rex Brown also addressed the possibility of Wylde taking Dimebag's place in a reformed PANTERA. He told the San Antonio Metal Music Examiner last month, "You know, we keep hearing rumors about a reunion with Zakk Wylde on guitar, and that is such bullshit. You can't replace my brother."