ZAKK WYLDE GIVES MOVING ROCKWALK PERFORMANCE FOR DIMEBAG

At the Hollywood RockWalk, Zakk Wylde remembers his friend, Dimebag Darrell, who was inducted on Thursday.

Zakk Wylde, who was one of the closest friends of the late Dimebag Darrell, remembered the guitar god at the Hollywood Rock Walk ceremony on Thursday, May 17, in Los Angeles. He gave a moving speech and a performance solo on piano, while the likes of Ace Frehley of Kiss, Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains, and Kerry King of Slayer looked on.

Wylde talked about the difficulty of getting through the song.

“Well, it was definitely rough getting through the song, but it was just like, anything for the Dimebag. It’s Dimesday. It’s 5/17/07 so everyday is dimesday. It was awesome. It just goes to show you how beautiful a guy he was, and hoiw special he was. All these people coming down. It’s a great day, man.”

The Ozzy guitarist and Black Label Society founding member talked about why Dimebag Darrell Abbott is worthy of RockWalk recognition.

“I mean as a guitar player, it’s just feel. You have to know how to play blues. It’s not so much a heavy metal thing. All the great guitar players, you have to know how to play blues. That’s what will teach you…and then technique is technique. You can teach anyone to play fast — if you practice enough, which is what you have to do. But if you’re lacking soul and the good lord then you now what’s going on. Dime had all that. That’s what made him so special. As a human being he’s a beautiful guy. Everybody always asks me, what was Dime about? He’s proof that god exists. He was just a good guy. He cared about everyone but himself.”

Wylde performed for Abbott.

Zakk was inducted into the Hollywood Rockwalk himself in the last few years joined by his “boss” Ozzy Osbourne, who was inducted three years ago. Dimebag was honored with speeches at the event by his brother Vinnie Paul Abbott, Ace Frehley, and Scott Ian of Anthrax among others.