I followed all those guys to the end. last I saw was Kill Devil Hill multiple times and RITA was with them at the booth every time. We have many autographs. Been to Dime Bash every year in Los Angeles - Dio foundation was on some of those as well.
Jesus, I'm welling up a bit reading this. You keep coming with the hits Sonny.
I remember when this happened, reading the articles about it, and just being shocked because you never expect someone like Dime to get cut down like that. I was a bit too young to really soak that up when Kurt Cobain died and him doing it to himself somehow makes it hit different than someone else doing it. Prince was another one that hit me really hard.
And saddest part of all of this is that it's a tragic story for all involved. Obviously for Dime and the other folks who were killed, for the fans in attendance and who were into Pantera/Damageplan, Niggemeyer because he'll probably never fully recover from that action that saved lives but changed his irreparably, and Gale because he was a confused loner trying desperately to fit in somewhere but who never got the help he needed because it just seemed like his entire life was him slipping through the cracks. Just a fucking tragic story from every angle.
This is an incredible piece of writing. Never mind welling up, I’m full on crying. I didn’t know about these events at all and this account recounts them with such humanity and without sensationalism. Thank you so much.
This is a hard one to even comment on. I probably wouldn't except it's you.
Reading this took me back. I had been to that club, but it's like thousands of clubs across the world. I could smell the smoke, hanging thick in the air, so thick my eyes burned. The guitars crank up so loud that even with the earplugs you can't hear yourself think. Bodies slamming everywhere, into each other, against the barricade. Before the show I would walk down the barricade and look at the people standing in the front. If I saw a young kid, or a small girl I would suggest they move back because things would get very violent when the band started. They never believed me, and I would end up pulling them over the barricade when the music started. They were usually crying and just banged up...if they were lucky.
It's pointless to pick on all the security failures because that's what you have to live with. These places can't afford security. The bouncers are just bigger guys who dig the music. For me this was the exclamation point validating why I left the business. I had quit touring a couple years prior to this. I was just running big venues and they're easier to control. I had noticed that firearms were starting to show up more and more. Then there was the half stick of dynamite we took off a guy trying to go into an ACDC show. When I asked him why he wanted to take that in he said he just wanted to scare people. He was pissed when I turned him over to the cops. Then there was the Bobby Brown show when a guy got shot outside the venue. The victim had just gotten out of prison the day before and I assume it was some sort of "beef". The only reason I knew was that my daughter who was going to the local university and was working with me then was walking about four feet behind the guy when he was killed. She was out looking for me because she heard I was assisting officers trying to control a melee that had broken out in front of the venue. When the investigating office showed up the next day with a book of possible suspects I wouldn't let her look at the pictures. I told him it wasn't her concern, I didn't want her involved in it, and quite frankly I didn't give a shit. They let it go.
I went to Dime's funeral. It was closure. The thing I remember about him other than the music was sitting in a booth with him and Rex at a club in Tucson, AZ. We were eating burgers, had a big plate of fries, and cokes. We just sat and talked about the industry in general and how their tour was going. They were interested in some of the groups I had worked with. Then a roadie came up and said they were having issues getting the other two members of the band "ready" to perform. They went to take care of that. I certain knew what they meant. The show was "problematic". I didn't work a lot of Pantera shows but all the ones I worked were "problematic". That night the barricade broke, and a kid was crushed underneath. I pulled him out. He had a broken leg. We stopped the show until the medics got him out then it started with no barricade. I had to stand on the stage to keep the band members from getting overwhelming by the stage divers. The show before that was a larger venue and we had to deal with a couple of 13-year-old girls who got sexually assaulted. Not blaming the band...just rambling.
This was more than you wanted. I'm sorry, this really hit me pretty hard. I am shaking as I type, and the memories are pouring out. You're a master of the craft my friend.
Thank you very much, Daniel. Not only were your comments heartfelt and powerful, but illuminating as always. Your vivid memories and depth of experience have added layers to the story that are well beyond my grasp. The atmosphere, the security, the fans who naturally think they’ll live forever – all of it comes much more alive thanks to you.
While I don’t have any children, I do have an imagination, and any harm befalling a son or daughter of mine (let alone the worst case scenario) would have been enough to send me to Bellevue. I completely understand why you acted the way you did when the investigating officer arrived, and am confident I would have acted the exact same way.
I’ll also add that I had a hunch you might have worked with Pantera, though I had no idea of course that you’d been to Dimebag’s funeral. I’ve read numerous reports of it, and while some of them lean toward the wild side, it sounds by all accounts that it was a day filled with love, sadness, and respect. Certainly one that Darrell would’ve approved of.
Yes he probably would have been happy with it. I didn’t hang around for the “frivolity “ that followed. It just depressed me. The thing I like about your writing is you explore the different sides of that culture. So many writers just do the “ya whoever, I went to the show and it was great. I got to meet whoever and things were so cool”. Great but there was a whole side to your concert experience that you never saw. You may not be thinking in those terms but your instincts make you realize there was another side.
😭 RIP
I followed all those guys to the end. last I saw was Kill Devil Hill multiple times and RITA was with them at the booth every time. We have many autographs. Been to Dime Bash every year in Los Angeles - Dio foundation was on some of those as well.
Jesus, I'm welling up a bit reading this. You keep coming with the hits Sonny.
I remember when this happened, reading the articles about it, and just being shocked because you never expect someone like Dime to get cut down like that. I was a bit too young to really soak that up when Kurt Cobain died and him doing it to himself somehow makes it hit different than someone else doing it. Prince was another one that hit me really hard.
And saddest part of all of this is that it's a tragic story for all involved. Obviously for Dime and the other folks who were killed, for the fans in attendance and who were into Pantera/Damageplan, Niggemeyer because he'll probably never fully recover from that action that saved lives but changed his irreparably, and Gale because he was a confused loner trying desperately to fit in somewhere but who never got the help he needed because it just seemed like his entire life was him slipping through the cracks. Just a fucking tragic story from every angle.
Thank you, AJ. For what it’s worth, I welled up plenty, too. Like you said, tragedy all around. This was a tough one to write.
I'm glad you powered through because this was one of the best things I've read on Substack here. Great job man
Thank you! Great writing! Sorely missed!
Thank YOU, Gene! There will never be another like Dimebag.
This was intense, man. I don't think (actually I know) that I've read about the accounts in such detail. Sad. 🎸 RIP Dimebag.
Thank you, Gary. It was pretty intense writing it, too. Nothing but tragedy for miles.
This is an incredible piece of writing. Never mind welling up, I’m full on crying. I didn’t know about these events at all and this account recounts them with such humanity and without sensationalism. Thank you so much.
Thank you very much, Lou. Your generous comments have truly made my day.
This is a hard one to even comment on. I probably wouldn't except it's you.
Reading this took me back. I had been to that club, but it's like thousands of clubs across the world. I could smell the smoke, hanging thick in the air, so thick my eyes burned. The guitars crank up so loud that even with the earplugs you can't hear yourself think. Bodies slamming everywhere, into each other, against the barricade. Before the show I would walk down the barricade and look at the people standing in the front. If I saw a young kid, or a small girl I would suggest they move back because things would get very violent when the band started. They never believed me, and I would end up pulling them over the barricade when the music started. They were usually crying and just banged up...if they were lucky.
It's pointless to pick on all the security failures because that's what you have to live with. These places can't afford security. The bouncers are just bigger guys who dig the music. For me this was the exclamation point validating why I left the business. I had quit touring a couple years prior to this. I was just running big venues and they're easier to control. I had noticed that firearms were starting to show up more and more. Then there was the half stick of dynamite we took off a guy trying to go into an ACDC show. When I asked him why he wanted to take that in he said he just wanted to scare people. He was pissed when I turned him over to the cops. Then there was the Bobby Brown show when a guy got shot outside the venue. The victim had just gotten out of prison the day before and I assume it was some sort of "beef". The only reason I knew was that my daughter who was going to the local university and was working with me then was walking about four feet behind the guy when he was killed. She was out looking for me because she heard I was assisting officers trying to control a melee that had broken out in front of the venue. When the investigating office showed up the next day with a book of possible suspects I wouldn't let her look at the pictures. I told him it wasn't her concern, I didn't want her involved in it, and quite frankly I didn't give a shit. They let it go.
I went to Dime's funeral. It was closure. The thing I remember about him other than the music was sitting in a booth with him and Rex at a club in Tucson, AZ. We were eating burgers, had a big plate of fries, and cokes. We just sat and talked about the industry in general and how their tour was going. They were interested in some of the groups I had worked with. Then a roadie came up and said they were having issues getting the other two members of the band "ready" to perform. They went to take care of that. I certain knew what they meant. The show was "problematic". I didn't work a lot of Pantera shows but all the ones I worked were "problematic". That night the barricade broke, and a kid was crushed underneath. I pulled him out. He had a broken leg. We stopped the show until the medics got him out then it started with no barricade. I had to stand on the stage to keep the band members from getting overwhelming by the stage divers. The show before that was a larger venue and we had to deal with a couple of 13-year-old girls who got sexually assaulted. Not blaming the band...just rambling.
This was more than you wanted. I'm sorry, this really hit me pretty hard. I am shaking as I type, and the memories are pouring out. You're a master of the craft my friend.
Thank you very much, Daniel. Not only were your comments heartfelt and powerful, but illuminating as always. Your vivid memories and depth of experience have added layers to the story that are well beyond my grasp. The atmosphere, the security, the fans who naturally think they’ll live forever – all of it comes much more alive thanks to you.
While I don’t have any children, I do have an imagination, and any harm befalling a son or daughter of mine (let alone the worst case scenario) would have been enough to send me to Bellevue. I completely understand why you acted the way you did when the investigating officer arrived, and am confident I would have acted the exact same way.
I’ll also add that I had a hunch you might have worked with Pantera, though I had no idea of course that you’d been to Dimebag’s funeral. I’ve read numerous reports of it, and while some of them lean toward the wild side, it sounds by all accounts that it was a day filled with love, sadness, and respect. Certainly one that Darrell would’ve approved of.
Yes he probably would have been happy with it. I didn’t hang around for the “frivolity “ that followed. It just depressed me. The thing I like about your writing is you explore the different sides of that culture. So many writers just do the “ya whoever, I went to the show and it was great. I got to meet whoever and things were so cool”. Great but there was a whole side to your concert experience that you never saw. You may not be thinking in those terms but your instincts make you realize there was another side.
I was a big Pantera fan back in the day, and vaguely remember this event (I smoked a lot of pot back then, lol). Great writing, Sonny.
Thank you, Sheila!