In an interview with Metal On Loud, HELLYEAH frontman Chad Gray spoke about band’s cover of the Phil Collins‘ “I Don’t Care Anymore”. The song features a guitar track from late PANTERA guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, which he recorded with his brother Vinnie Paul Abbott 14 years ago.
“It’s such a big thing for us to continue [Dimebag‘s] legacy,” Gray said (see video below). “It means a lot to Vinnie, it means a lot to me. [Dimebag] was one of my true heavy metal heroes. I was a singer, he was a guitar player, but I still looked up to that dude so much. The way that, from the videos and stuff, you felt like you got to know him, and he was so humble and he wanted to put a smile on people’s face and he understood and embraced the true essence of what music really is — about bringing us together and stuff. He didn’t put himself above anyone. He was just a f*cking outstanding role model. He was for me.”
He continued: “Long before I was in the business and signed and playing in bands and doing things professionally, I was watching those [PANTERA home] videos, and that seeded into my head, assuming that it would happen, which is one in a million, how I would be if I did, and I think that I’ve done that. I feel like I’m still very approachable and I don’t put myself above anybody. And I’m thankful — I’m thankful to be where I’m at, I’m thankful to be a part of what we are, all of us, and just have a place. I think that’s what’s great about metal — is that everybody fits.”
