Remembering Vinnie Paul
• Our social media feed has been blowing up this weekend by friends and fans expressing their shock and sorrow over the death of drummer Vinnie Paul, best known and loved for his work in Pantera, Damageplan and Hellyeah. According to TMZ, Paul, 54, died in his sleep at his home in Las Vegas.
Paul, whose given name was Vincent Paul Abbott, along his late brother, “Dimebag Darrell” Abbott formed Pantera in 1981. The group found mainstream success with its second lead singer, Phil Anselmo, but disbanded, as bands are prone to do, in 2003. A year later, the Abbott brothers formed a new band, Damageplan. Tragically, it was during a performance in Columbus, OH, on Dec. 8, 2004 that “Dimebag Darrell” was shot and killed onstage, along with three other people. Since 2006, Paul had been the drummer for Hellyeah, a heavy metal supergroup that also includes Mudvayne vocalist Chad Gray and Nothingface guitarist Tom Maxwell.
Shortly after the news of Paul’s death went public, many of his rock star peers took to social media to express their condolences — KISS guitarist Paul Stanley tweeted, “So sad to hear of the death of Vinnie Paul. Loved when Pantera did shows with us and in later years Vinnie was always front and center at all KISS shows. RIP and condolences to his family.”
Alice Cooper tweeted, “Terribly saddened by the news of Vinnie Paul’s passing. Vinnie was a beloved fixture in the rock and metal communities and we will miss seeing him out on the road. His impact on heavy music is immeasurable. Rest In Peace Vinnie, condolences to your family, friends and fans.”
Slash said, “Tragic news about Vinnie Paul today. He was one of the warmest people I knew. A truly good & fun friend. We’re going to miss you more than you could possibly have known. RIP buddy.”
Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker noted, simply, “Rest in peace, Vinnie Paul. Heaven has Dimebag and Vinnie now.”
TMZ reports Paul’s body’s been turned over to the medical examiner to determine a cause of death; after that he’ll be flown back to his home state of Texas to be buried between his mom and brother. [Special thanks to Melinda Newman at Billboard]
