"He was larger than life. He used to call me 'the action figure' because of how I move around onstage, and I used to tell him he stepped right out of a comic book. He was just so full of energy and such a strong presence. [As a musician], he had everything — just his originality, the riffs he wrote, his tone and what he did with his guitar. He didn't sound like anybody before him, and nobody could come close to duplicating what he did. That's the best thing you could say about any musician . . . I'm still kind of stunned. It's hard for me to believe that this is how his life ended. I don't know if I'm ready to accept the fact that I'm not gonna go to see him play live and have him obnoxiously shoving drinks down my throat."

Rob Halford of JUDAS PRIEST:

"Hello everyone. My deepest condolences go out to everyone affected regarding the passing of dimebag. His mucianship was superb and his original style was and will remain an inspiration to players worldwide. His friendship can never be replaced. "I first met Dime in 1991. I was in Toronto preparing for the 'Painkiller' tour. I had MuchMusic TV on and saw this guy talking about metal and wearing a 'British Steel' shirt. From what he was saying and the Pantera video that aired I knew right away that this man was a guitar god! "I called MuchMusic and spoke to Dime and that night went to a club and hung with the band. We jammed 'Metal Gods'. From that point on, he and the rest of the band became solid friends. My gut feeling was that this band would be huge.

"So Pantera toured with Priest all over Europe. Many a night I would stand off stage and watch them tear up city after city leaving everyone stunned by their intense performances. It was a thrill to watch and hear Dime invent and advance with his playing. Soon the world became Panterarised! "Of course, so much has happened since those early times and I feel that it's important now that however we take the turn of events in recent years we all stay true to the same belief that Dimebag had about his love of metal, which was to play your heart out and be real wherever you are! Some things that happen in life make no sense at all, but out of pain comes strength, and I know the metal community will take that strength and use it as an enduring memory for Dimebag.

"Love never dies."

The group Sevendust issued this statement:

"We have lost a dear friend and the world has lost an incredible musician. Our prayers are with Vinnie and the rest of the Abbott family. "Words cannot describe the sorrow we and countless others feel over this tragic loss. The many memories of the times we've spent with Darrell will be cherished forever and he will never be forgotten. He and his brother have been more influential to us as a band than any other. We would not sound the way we do if it had not been for them. Many other bands can say the same. "To know your idols and have them as friends is a rarity and we feel blessed to have known and loved Darrell.

"Due to this tragedy, we cancelled last night's show in Jacksonville, N.C. and the radio station having known the details of Darrell's death should have understood. We were in no shape to perform. Not to mention the venue had not supplied proper insurance. "We apologize to our friends in Jacksonville and regardless of how Rock 105.5 feels about our decision, we hope that you understand. This tragedy has helped put our lives and the lives of our loved ones in perspective. "We love you and be careful."

Early Pantera, a young Darrell Abbott who was known as "Diamond" Darrell back then on the far right.

Dave Mustaine of MEGADETH:

"I knew him by wanting to play with him. We had Pantera open for Megadeth in the U.S. and in Europe. When you get to the level of guitar playing that I'm at and that he was at, the air is pretty thin up there . . . Darrell was a really gentle spirit and pretty easygoing guy. Society is looking at this and saying, 'This is heavy metal.' That's not heavy metal, that's a random act."

Brian May of QUEEN:

"We are all gutted to hear of the senseless and tragic death of Dimebag Darrell, who was shot by a 'fan' who climbed on the stage at a show of his new band, Damageplan. He was, of course, better known for his great playing in Pantera. "Pantera were, I think, the first band that I and my son Jimmy both got equally excited about. It was Jimmy who first got me to see them. They were a great band, and Dimebag was an innovative and passionate player. "Great musician. Terrible loss. My respects to him, to his family and friends. Also to those who were killed trying to save him and apprehend the gunman. "RIP."

Will Boyd of EVANESCENCE:

"I love music. It's probably the most important thing in my life, as most of you know, but I don't care what band you are obsessed with, what they mean to you; if you fucking go into a club and shoot someone in the head four times just because you like the band they were in and you think you know something about why they broke up and decide to place blame, you are fucking sick and need help. "I don't pretend to be the biggest Pantera fan ever, but I have most of their records and Dime was one of the most creative guitar players I've ever heard. More importantly, I know a ton of people who worked alongside him and got to know him as a friend and a genuinely good dude over the years. I was with most of these people seconds after they heard the news and you can't imagine the grief it placed upon them. Seeing your friends want to just fucking punch the wall because they are so angry and so sad and so scared all at the same time is something that can change you. The only word that comes to mind is senseless. "Please keep Darrell's family and the family of their tour manager who was shot in the chest in your thoughts."

Kevin DuBrow of QUIET RIOT:

"I did not know Darrell as well as many others but well enough to know that he was a really, really nice person in a business full of phonies. "Darrell and Vinnie came to most of the Quiet Riot shows in Dallas and used to rent a limo and come to some of our other shows in Texas. "Darrell was always wanting everyone to come with them and hang out. He was a real fun-loving type of person, as is Vinnie. "My condolences go out to Darrell's family and to Vinnie in particular. This was senseless and frightening. "Darrell was a Randy Rhoads fan and we spoke about it a couple times. What a waste. He will be missed."

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