PHIL ANSELMO Responds To Racist Accusations Following Dimebash Incident – “I’ll Own This One, But Dammit, I Was Joking”

Phil Anselmo has responded to accusations of racism following an incident at Dimebash 2016, which took place on January 22nd at Lucky Strike Live in Hollywood, CA.

At the end of the performance of “Walk”, Anselmo ended the night with a Nazi salute, then screamed “white power” to the crowd (video below). Uploader Chris R posted: “I originally cut this from my first post of “Walk”, but I feel people deserve to see this! A very sad moment and to me ruined the night! This is not what Pantera is about!!! Absolutely uncalled for and I can see why Vinny Paul wants nothing to do with this man. Phil Anselmo you are a racist prick!!”

Anselmo then responded, stating: “ “Ok folks, I’ll own this one, but dammit, I was joking, and the “inside joke of the night” was because we were drinking fucking white wine, hahaha… Of all fucking things. Some of y’all need to thicken up your skin. There’s plenty of fuckers to pick on with a more realistic agenda. I fucking love everyone, I fucking loathe everyone, and that’s that. No apologies from me.”

Former and current members of Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Foo Fighters, and more took part in Dimebash 2016, an event honoring late Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darell Abbot. The event  included performances of Motörhead’s “Ace Spades”, Pantera’s “Walk”, and Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here”.

Fan-filmed video of the performances can be seen below:

All proceeds of the event went to the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund, an organization that funds cancer research, cancer screenings and various cancer programs while supporting families that have loved ones suffering from the disease.

“I think the thing that embodies this event and entity is unity; bringing everyone together to celebrate the music played and loved by Darrell and to benefit the foundation of a very beloved man, Mr. Ronnie James Dio,” says Rita Haney, longtime girlfriend of Abbott and the person who knew him best. “Dimebag Darrell was notorious for giving us all so much, in some way, even to this day. So to be able to give back in his name is such an honor. With all of this amazing talent in one place it makes for a damn good celebration! C’mon out and Getcha Pull!”