In a recent discussion with Metal Pilgrim, former JUDAS PRIEST and current KK’S PRIEST vocalist, Tim “Ripper” Owens, was asked once more about his willingness to replace Philip Anselmo in a PANTERA concert, should the opportunity present itself during the revamped band’s ongoing tour.
He responded: “Of course I would jump on some shows, but there’s other singers that would be better to do it and probably in that type of music — even though I can sing that really well; it’s some of my favorite stuff to sing. And I love PANTERA.
“They’re not gonna get anybody else to do it, first of all, and if they did, they would pick someone else that was closer to all of them. ‘Cause I think they’re really trying to make it the family-and-friends kind of vibe, to do it. So I think they would pick someone that was in the family there more.”
In a previous interview with DJ Zoran Theodorovic of Metal Godz Radio back in March, Owens had broached the subject of possibly filling in for Anselmo, to which he said at the time: “Well, I would be up to the task as celebrating PANTERA, like they’re doing right now, which I think is fantastic. All these guys — Zakk [Wylde, guitar] and Charlie [Benante, drums] — you couldn’t have picked two cooler guys to celebrate that. My thing is I would celebrate it.
“I have my own career; I do my own stuff. People are always, like, ‘Oh, you’re always singing for this and that.’ Well, listen, I put records out of me singing my own stuff all the time; I can’t put any more records out of me singing stuff.”
“I nail styles like that,” he added. “I love PANTERA and I love that style, and I would for sure get up and celebrate the career of PANTERA with those guys, absolutely. It’s never gonna happen, but I’m not replacing anybody; I would just be celebrating it.”
As previously reported, PANTERA surviving members, Philip Anselmo and Rex Brown, reformed the band with Zakk Wylde on guitar (from OZZY OSBOURNE and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and Charlie Benante on drums (from ANTHRAX).
According to Billboard, the lineup has been given a green light by the estates of the band’s founders, drummer Vincent “Vinnie Paul” Abbott and guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, as well as Brown, who last year said Wylde wouldn’t tour with PANTERA if a reunion were to happen. It’s unclear what changed his mind.
