Ya know, I'm not gonna judge anyone over their opinion here, but i'll just add mine, and you can quote me on this.
My problem with Edward is that he sells tickets to a show, albeit NOT the reunion show I was anticipating, a show that sold tickets none the less.
Then he goes out on stage trashed beyond ability to play his own fucking tunes, that is what pisses me off about the guy.
But on his off time, the man is free to do what he chooses with his life, for it's his life and not mine.
That said,
Dimebag's funeral was earlier that day, and this event, where i am sure damn near everyone in attendance was tossing them back, was for all who were welcome to attend to show their respects to a fallen soldier of an all but gone genre in music history.
Dimebag was a huge VH fan no different than any of us here typing away like crazy to attack a man for his fuck-ups while allowing it to over shadow the tragedy that took one of the best from us.
Ed gave Dime's girlfriend/wife his original black and yellow Charvel from the VH II Tour to bury with him. to me that was a class act and raises my respect for Edward by honoring and acknowledge the brotherhood among rocks finest in that manner.
I didn't see the lush on that stage that i see at a VH show, I saw a guy who was seriously effected by the events that took place in Columbus, Ohio that robbed him and everyone else who loved the guy and his contribution to music as a whole, of a great musical entity.
I'm all for giving Ed hell for his way of showing appreciation to his own fans, but dammit, this is not the time or the circumstances that i would engage in that.
I have lost a lot of really great friends that i loved like my brothers, and the gatherings after their funerals were a party to celebrate their lives and lifestyles that we shared through the years...this was nothing more or less than that, and to focus on who was drunk and who wasn't given the circumstances is just sad in my opinion.
There was no minister there officiating the service, hell, it wasn't even a service as that all went down earlier in the day where i am quite sure total respect was paid by all who attended.
I have toasted every single friend i lost with the surviving clan. we even get together and have vigils at their graves from time to time and just sit there and get trashed together, the only people missing are the fallen brothers who are there only in spirit.
But i ask all of you, who are we to judge how a person mourns a friend?
There is a time and a place for everything, and this is a time only to honor those who have fallen by the hands of another in a sensless violent act.
To take anything away from the purpose of the gathering in Dimebag's honor is as disrespectful as the claims those bitching are making.
I'm sorry, but what happened to Dimebag really disturbs me and rattles me to the core, and i'd rather thank those who showed up to honor him than attack them for their demeanor in the process.
Rest In Peace, Dimebag...Your influence and energy will be greatly missed.