In honor of a musical legend

Before he was gunned down onstage on Dec. 8, 2004, by a crazed “fan” in Ohio, the late Pantera / Damageplan guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott was one of the most ferocious ax-wielders in rock music. His grinding, bottom-heavy riffs helped propel Pantera from the underground to chart-topping metal gods, a feat the band reached with 1994’s “Far Beyond Death.”

Says fellow guitarist Dave Navarro: “I’ve always been a fan of Pantera, particularly of his playing. And although I never met him, his playing probably affected me on a more profound level than if I had. There’s a mystique attached to that guy and will always be for me.”

It’s Abbott’s guitar work, which Navarro calls “virtuoso,” that will be celebrated today, first when he is inducted into the Rock Walk in front of Guitar Center, then later in an all-star jam at the House of Blues.

“It’s nice for me to be able to pay homage to a guy that was really inspiring as a guitar player,” says Navarro, who will join Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington, former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley, Disturbed’s David Draiman, Staind’s Aaron Lewis and Abbott’s brother and band mate Vinnie Paul, among others.

Abbott’s widow, Rita Haney, one of the organizers for tonight, says the support of Abbott’s peers is a great testament to his memory. “Vinnie and I have discussed this a lot, that it’s just some of the best therapy to know people care that much,” she says. “It keeps a big smile on my face.”

“If the guy was still alive and they were having this event, I would be just as happy to do that,” Navarro says. “As an artist and as a player it’s pretty amazing to be able to go out and celebrate a player such as Darrell.”

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Dimebag’s Blacktooth Bash, House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 8 tonight. $33. (323) 848-5100.