Mike Kroeger shared details about Dimebag Darrell’s appreciation for Nickelback in an interview with Meep Meep Podcast.
“He [Dimebag Darrell] was a huge fan. He was a big, big fan of my brother [Chad Kroeger, Nickelback vocalist/guitarist],” Kroeger said. “Big, big fan of my brother, both of those guys [Dimebag and his late brother, Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott.] Vinnie and Dime were both unapologetic fans too.”
“I’m sure that there was more than a few times when some the metal standard-bearers were probably like, ‘What do you mean Nickelback? What are you talking them for. Who gives a f*ck about those guys.’ And they loved it, and they loved us,” he continued.
Kroeger recalled a memorable moment about Vinnie Paul’s diverse musical taste. “And they were unapologetic about a lot of their music that they liked. I remember riding in a limo with those guys from a gig in Dallas to the Clubhouse one time. And Vinnie was just like, if you could do backflips in a limo, he would be doing backflips in a limo for Christina Aguilera,” he said.
This revelation offers a new perspective on the musical appreciation of one of metal’s most influential guitarists.
Far Out Magazine documented Darrell’s wide-ranging musical influences. His style drew inspiration from legendary acts like Black Sabbath, KISS, and AC/DC.
His contributions to the metal genre left an indelible mark through his work with Pantera. Guitar World highlighted how Darrell’s innovative guitar playing pioneered the groove-metal sound. This innovation became particularly evident in Pantera’s breakthrough album ‘Cowboys from Hell’ in 1990.
iHeart noted Darrell’s unique position in the metal community. His openness to various musical styles set him apart in a genre where boundaries were often rigid.
His appreciation for diverse musical styles went beyond his own playing. This openness manifested in his and Vinnie Paul’s enthusiastic support for artists outside traditional metal, including Nickelback and pop performers like Christina Aguilera.
