Zakk Wylde Talks About Taking Part in Pantera Reunion Tour
Zakk Wylde has spoken publicly for the first time about taking part in the upcoming Pantera reunion tour set for 2023. Speaking with Matt Pinfield and Jose Mangin at the…
Zakk Wylde has spoken publicly for the first time about taking part in the upcoming Pantera reunion tour set for 2023.
Speaking with Matt Pinfield and Jose Mangin at the Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival, Wylde said, "When Vinnie [Paul] was still alive, when the fellas were all talking about doing it, I just always told 'em, 'Of course I would [take part in a tribute]… If you asked me, why would I not do it? I'm gonna honor Dime[bag Darrell].'"
Wylde would add, "...It's like when we do the 'Dimebash.' It's a celebration of Dime's greatness. It's a Pantera celebration — that's what it is… If you ask me, it's a beautiful thing. You're celebrating Vinnie and Dime's greatness and you're celebrating all the mountains that Pantera conquered and crushed."
Wylde would further note that while the tour is currently being called a "Pantera reunion" that this lineup is certainly not the "new" Pantera.
"Obviously, it's not Pantera. Pantera is those four guys: It's Phil [Anselmo], Rex [Brown], Dime and Vinnie," said Wylde. "But it's just like when [Led] Zeppelin went out with Jason Bonham playing, it was phenomenal. It told Jason, 'Dude, you crushed it, man.' It's a great thing just to hear them play that music again...I'm beyond honored to be a part of it."
Billboard broke the news of the Pantera reunion last week reporting singer Phil Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown had signed with Artist Group International, who is in charge of booking the tour's North American dates. Shortly thereafter, Wylde and Anthrax Charlie Benante were rumored to be taking part and filling in on guitar and drums for the late 'Dimebag' Darrell Abbott and Vinnie Paul Abbott, who co-founded Pantera.
Pantera is top of mind thanks to a surprising report from Billboard stating surviving members Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown will be reuniting for a tour in 2023.
This has led to a number of rumors about the tour, specifically who will be filling in on guitar and drums in place of the late "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott and Vinnie Paul Abbott. Blabbermouth has surfaced past quotes from Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde and Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante that have led to some to speculate they will step in on the reported tour that will act as a tribute to the work and legacy of Pantera. Both Wylde and Benante have performed with Anselmo and Brown on various occasions over the years, which has led to previous speculation about some sort of Pantera tribute tour.
Blabbermouth also noted that Rita Haney, "Dimebag" Darrell's longtime girlfriend, mentioned in February 2020 that she'd support a Pantera tribute tour that featured Anselmo, Brown and Wylde.
All of these developments have caused fans to sound off on social media, and as expected, the loyal Pantera fanbase, including some musicians, has some mixed feelings. Scroll below for a selection of notable comments.
