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My Thoughts on “Pantera” – Meltdown

Author Meltdown
Released on February 25, 1992.

If you want to get me talking, ask me about the reunited Pantera. As I was walking out of Stingers last night, a friend stopped me and asked me just that….”what do you think of the Pantera reunion?”

Man, where to start? A couple things. First off, he’s 35 and never had a chance to see Pantera. There’s a whole generation of those kind of metal fans. As he stated, he never got to see them, so this would be as close to it as possible. That’s true. I have a soft spot in my heart for those folks. I was lucky enough to see Pantera, and Hell Yeah. I interviewed V.P. and Dime when Damageplan started out, but I never saw them play because I was on the radio from 7pm – Midnight at the time.

I guess my real sticking point is calling it Pantera. A tribute, or “night of Pantera music” would’ve been better to me. People say that bands break up and get back together all the time. That’s also true. But they broke up over twenty years ago, two key members (brothers) died, and now they’re going out as the band? It just sits wrong with me. That being said, I’ll most likely go to see it. i like phil, and love the music. Plus, I’d love to see all the younger fans and share the experience with them.

I saw both Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante over the weekend at the Black Label/Anthrax show. Both great musicians. I’m sure they’ll do V.P. and Dime proud. They’re in a tricky spot, too. Not to take anything away from them, both solid players and great guys.

In a 2012 interview, Vinnie said a Pantera reunion will never happen.”[It’s just] rumors, man. That’s all I got to say. And you heard that Aerosmith song, [singing] ‘Dream on, dream on.’ It ain’t gonna happen, man. I have no interest in playing with those guys. I love [Hellyeah]; I’m really into it. And I really believe if I stick with it long enough, it will see the same kind of success eventually.”

I never talked about this specifically with V.P., but I always got the impression that it would NEVER happen after his brother was killed. To me, Pantera ended on that fateful day in December 2004, on a stage in Ohio.

This was the last time I saw Vinnie, before a Steel Panther show in Las Vegas, November 2017. This video was his idea…LOL

“Vulgar Display of Power” is on my turntable right now……

-Meltdown-

GALLERY: Vinnie Paul Through The Years

Vinnie Paul Abbott was a force in metal.  While he was one of metal’s most adored figures, he was also as big a fan of music as anyone who bought a ticket to see him play.

In honor of his remarkable life, click through the gallery below.

Meltdown started on the mighty WRIF on the evening of Halloween, 1995. Technically, his first on-air shift was the morning of November 1st. Moving to the Motor City from Buffalo, N.Y., he has built a career and family. Over his almost three-decade stint at RIFF, he's had the privilege to work with some of the biggest personalities in Detroit radio history. He boasts of being just the second-afternoon drive jock in the station's illustrious 53-year history. Along with his love for rock music and attending concerts, he's also an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast and hockey player. He plays year-round and manages to squeeze in a few charity games throughout the year. Meltdown writes about the Detroit Red Wings, rock music, and Detroit concert venues.

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