Drummer Vinnie Paul, co-founder of metal band Pantera, has died. Currently a member of Hellyeah, Paul was 54.
His representative confirmed the legendary drummer’s death to Billboard, but added that no further details are available at this time.
"Vincent Paul Abbott aka Vinnie Paul has passed away," reads a statement on the Pantera Facebook page. "Paul is best known for his work as the drummer in the bands Pantera and Hellyeah. No further details are available at this time. The family requests you please respect their privacy during this time."
Along with his brother, Dimebag Darrell, Paul (born Vincent Paul Abbott) formed Pantera in 1981. The group found mainstream success with second lead singer Phil Anselmo. Throughout its career, Pantera earned four Grammy nominations and charted nine albums on the Billboard 200, including its 1994 album Far Beyond Driven, which debuted at No. 1 on the chart.
Following Pantera’s demise, the Abbott brothers formed Damageplan in 2003. The band was performing on Dec. 8, 2004, when Dimebag Darrell was shot and killed onstage during a concert in Columbus, Ohio.
Since 2006, Paul was the drummer for Hellyeah, a heavy metal supergroup that also includes Mudvayne vocalist Chad Gray and Nothingface guitarist Tom Maxwell.
Born in Texas, Paul credited his Lone Star roots for his powerful groove. “The Texas thing is part of it, growing up on a healthy dose of ZZ Top and Stevie Ray Vaughan, but I also was a metal-head from day one. Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Kiss, Van Halen, all my favorite bands had really great grooves to their music,” he told OnlineDrummer.com a few years ago.
McCabeRyan on June 23rd, 2018 at 10:54 UTC »
I saw them open for Black Sabbath on their 99 tour. They were incredible. It’s still one of the best performances I’ve seen live.
DamageAndJoy on June 23rd, 2018 at 10:47 UTC »
it was pretty much impossible to have been on Ozzfest those early years and not run come onto a bus or bump into Darrell backstage somewhere lining up shots of black tooth grins - which is just crown & coke- but the levity of a Pantera member handing you a shot you do it. Vinnie was there rooting you on too.
In following years after Darrell was gone - Anytime you got to Dallas, Rita his wife would be on the busses or hold backstage court in his honor. Nothing but nice.
Post gig that night i noticed the crew bus i was on was rounding up everyone on golf carts to get us out of there on time. Vinnie invited us to his strip club - the clubhouse. He shook hands with everyone, patted backs. Just like a rock and roll mayor.
In hindsight i don’t think he ever got over losing his brother.
I suggest anyone reading this to go to your local dive or haunt tonight and do a round of blacktooth grins tonight. He’d like that.
808206 on June 23rd, 2018 at 10:30 UTC »
I like to share this video every once in a while when my friends mention Pantera on Facebook or whatever.
https://youtu.be/aDACorIaxNw
Pantera obviously played a bunch of huge rock shows during their time, but this performance always stood out. At the height of their career, on the bill with All-time Heavyweight Champions Metallica and AC/DC at the Monsters of Rock festival in Moscow. 1.600.000 fans in attendance. FUCKING HUGE.
"Fuckin' A!"
Dimebag RIPS the face-melting solo and fucking nails it. The bomb-drop whammy screech into the breakdown is heavy enough to cause a God damn earthquake. These two brothers from Texas just absolutely crushing Planet Earth.
At the end you see Dimebag look out over the crowd and yell, "fuck!". What an incredible thing for these guys to experience together.
Dimebag and Vinnie Paul were such a rad duo. They were super tight, musically and in love as family.
RIP to these two certified Rock Gods.
Edited: added some color