Vinnie Paul: The band announced the sad news on a Facebook post on Saturday.
Pantera drummer and co-founder, Vinnie Paul, has died at the age of 54. The news was announced on the popular metal band’s Facebook and Twitter pages on Friday.
“Vincent Paul Abbott aka Vinnie Paul has passed away,” read the post. “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.”
Paul formed the GRAMMY-nominated band with his late brother, Dimebag Darrell, in 1981.
After the group split in 2003, the brothers formed a new band, Damageplan, but during a 2004 performance in Ohio, Darrell was shot and killed.
Musicians took to social media to pay tribute to the artist following the news.
“We are deeply saddened to hear that our dear friend and brother, Vinnie Paul has passed away,” heavy metal band, Megadeth, tweeted from their official account. “Rest in Peace Vinnie, you will truly be missed and forever remembered.”
Matchbox Twenty guitarist, Paul Doucette, remembered the rocker as “very kind,” adding that they had met several times.
“Very sad to hear about the passing of Vinnie Paul,” he wrote. “Met him a few times and he was always a very kind human.
Alice in Chains described the rocker as a “good man gone way too soon,” while Five Finger Death Punch said he was an inspiration.
“The World has lost another legend,” tweeted Five Finger Death Punch. “He was an inspiration and a good friend… We will miss you Vinnie Paul. R.I.P.
New Zealand rock band, Like a Storm, also credited the late musician for welcoming them into his life and home in Las Vegas, Nevada, while they made their record, Catacombs, which came out on Friday, the same day Paul’s death was announced.
By Leena Taylor | Entertainment Tonight
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/vinnie-paul-pantera-drummer-dead-203856822.html
From Dave Streml, 6/23/18: The news broke late last night of Vinnie Paul of Pantera passing away. Music is a way of life for some of us. It is used to heal, to party to, fall in love to, celebrate life and console when you are sad. When an artist dies of a band you love, it somehow feels personal. I didn’t know Vinnie, had a few laughs with him years ago but this still hurts.
I first met him when Pantera played the Ogden on their Cowboys tour. We hung out during soundcheck, Dime showed me his Rig and Vinnie gave me a signed drum head. That show was incredible. Afterwards we went to The Gold Rush and the guys from Angelic Rage brought 3/4 of Pantera with them. After Dime Head butted me and took me to the bar to buy me a shot, we returned to the table I had. The girl sitting at the table asked if this guy was really the drummer for Aerosmith, it was Vinnie. I laughed and said, of course! The rest of the night was a blur because man did those guys know how to party, it was tough to keep up!
The 2nd pass was from the live album tour, the night at Red Rocks when Phil Anselmo went on a 10 minute rant about how bad the New Metallica album was. Dime had borrowed some gear from Drum City to record a solo for a King Diamond album and I was sent to collect it. We go to the bottom where they have us wait to take us backstage. Vinnie comes out, picks the girls he likes and sends the rest of us packing haha. I had to grab the tour manager who ran back and got the gear for me but I always thought that was funny.
I first heard Pantera when I bought an indie album of theirs in 1987 called Into the Night. It was a heavier Def Leppard sound with a different singer. When I heard Cowboys I was blown away. It’s always sad to hear another person has left this world. At 54, he was way too young to start the next journey. I’m glad I got to meet those loco Abbott brothers. Their music will live on. RIP Vinnie and Dime.
Steve Guthrie: With the sad unexpected passing of rock drummer Vinnie Paul it is a reminder to me of the power of music. Whether it be Elvis Tommy Bolin Ronnie Vanzant Dime bag and now Vinnie.
They are all people You may not have met but your heart breaks.
Why?
Because you met their heart and soul through music. They may have never talked to you but their music talked to your soul.
Life to me is like a fight. I may lose the fight but I damn sure will leave my mark for you to remember.
Vinnie – you left your mark. May you Rest In Peace