Guitarist Darrell Lance Abbott, better known as "Dimebag" Darrell, was a founding member of the heavy metal bands Pantera and Damageplan. He was also a performer in the country music band Rebel Meets Rebel. Darrell was often voted one of the top ten metal guitarists by guitar magazines and in reader polls. He also wrote a column in Guitar World magazine for several years.

After Pantera's break up in 2004, Dimebag and his brother, drummer Vinnie Paul, formed the band Damageplan. During a performance in Columbus, Ohio on December 8, 2004 Dimebag was shot and killed on-stage during the band's first song.

During a performance at the Alrosa Villa nightclub in Columbus, Ohio on December 8, 2004, Dimebag was shot three times in the head and killed while performing on-stage. The gunman, Nathan Gale, was a former U.S. Marine and paranoid schizophrenic. Gale may have been upset over the break-up of Pantera.

Three other men were also shot and killed, the Damageplan's manager Jeffery Thompson, roadie Erin Halk, and a fan who attempted to perform CPR on Dimebag, Nathan Bray. Police shot and killed the gunman at the scene.

• 1990: Cowboys from Hell
• 1992: Vulgar Display of Power
• 1994: Far Beyond Driven
• 1996: The Great Southern Trendkill

• 2004: New Found Power