Dimebash 2020 was an epic, all-star celebration of the late Darrell Abbott, also known as: Dimebag Darrell [also, also known as: the most beloved heavy metal guitar wizard of all time].

It’s been 15 years since Dime’s tragic murder, and almost 20 years since Pantera’s final album hit shelves; but even after all this time, Darrell Abbott’s musical legacy remains as strong as ever.

A litany of metal and rock music icons participated in this year’s Dimebash. We’re talking about Scott Ian, Charlie Benante and Frank Bello of Anthrax, Kirk Windstein of Crowbar/Down, Lamb of God’s new drummer Art Cruz, all of Butcher Babies, KYNG and Bad Wolves, Doug Pinnick of King’s X, Tommy Victor of Prong, Lita Ford, Sebastian Bach, Gene Hoglan of Testament, Tony Campos from Static-X/Asesino, Stone Sour and Hellyeah’s Ray Mayorga, In This Moment’s Randy Weitzel, Sen Dog from Cypress Hill, Armored Saint's Joey Vera and Phil Sandoval, Nick Bowcott from Grim Reaper, BMX icon Rick Thorne, MTV’s Headbanger’s Ball host Riki Rachtman, Wayne Lozinak from Hatebreed, Dylan Rose of Archer Nation, James LoMenzo formerly of Megadeth and Black Label Society, country artist Cody Jinks, Derrick Green of Sepultura, The Haunted’s Ola Englund, Broken Hope’s Jeremy Wagner, former Satyricon and Nevermore guitarist Attila Voros, Ex-Megadeth/Act of Defiance shredder Chris Broderick, The Iron Maidens’ axe slinger Courtney Cox, SiriusXM metal ambassador Jose Mangin, and Foo Fighters own Dave Grohl plus many, many more! They shared their personal Dimebag stories, played some of his best tunes live, as well as many of his personal favorite songs; but mostly, they just rocked the hell out of the Observatory like Dime would have wanted.

Organized by Dimebag’s lifelong girlfriend Rita Hanley, hosted by Mangin and Rachtman, and fed by Grohl’s insanely delicious Backbeat BBQ, Dimebash 2020 was both an awesome spectacle and touching tribute to Darrell Abbott and his insatiable love for guitar-centric music. There’s just something about watching these artists rip through classics from KISS, Thin Lizzy, Pink Floyd, Motorhead and Accept in a sold out venue full of Dimebag fans. It sort of feels like you’re listening to his personal playlist right beside him. That might explain the goosebumps outbreak that spread during Lita Ford’s ultra-touching rendition of “Close My Eyes Forever.”

Songs from Dime’s friends/peers were also well represented, featuring cuts from Slayer, Megadeth, Sepultura and Prong. Of course, it’s the Pantera songs that are the most revered and trickiest to pull off. I mean, if everyone could play like Dimebag he wouldn’t have been such a pioneer now would he? Luckily, Chris Broderick and Courtney Cox stepped up and handled the bulk of Dime’s legendary guitar solos which sounds like the most daunting task imaginable at an event called Dimebash!

But really, it was all positive vibes, loving/drunken speeches and mouth-watering BBQ at Dimebash 2020. It’s such a bummer that both Abbott brothers are gone now [RIP Vinnie Paul!] but if the crowd inside this year’s Dimebash was any indication; their musical legacy remains stronger than all.

DIMEBASH 2020 PHOTO GALLERY