Vinnie Paul the drummer and co-founder of US rock band Pantera has died. The thrash metal icon passed away aged 54 his band mates have confirmed.
The cause of his death has yet to be announced. Announcing the news on Pantera’s Facebook, the band wrote: "Vincent Paul Abbott aka Vinnie Paul has passed away.
"The cause of Vinnie’s death isn’t known at this time, with the band asking for his family to have privacy at this time. 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, who hailed from Texas, formed Pantera in 1981 with his brother ‘Dimebag’ Darrell Abbott. Their father was Jerry Abbott, a country and western songwriter and producer.
The band was nominated for Grammys in 1995 and 2001, and their third album, Far Beyond Driven, debuted at number one in the US in 1994.
I just woke up in Belgium to the news that my friend Vinnie Paul has passed away. Another metal hero taken too soon. Say hello to Daryl for me. Rest In Peace, my dear friend. @Pantera @hellyeahband #vinniepaul
— Dave Mustaine (@DaveMustaine) June 23, 2018
The band split up in 2003 amid speculation of disagreements between band members. However, the two brothers played down any bitterness during an interview with CNN in 2004, with Paul saying: "We had 13 years of really, really good success. And basically the singer wanted to move on, do some other things and really lost his focus."
Pantera enjoyed mainstream success with their major label release, 1990’s Cowboys From Hell, following a change in the band’s line-up, with the recruitment of Phil Anselmo in 1987.
After the group split in 2003, Paul and Darrell formed Damageplan. They were performing in Columbus, Ohio on December, 2004 when Darrell was shot dead along with four gig goers.
Can’t believe it.
— Anthrax (Band) (@Anthrax) June 23, 2018
R.I.P to our brother Vinnie Paul. https://t.co/In2Dlmmfq5
Since 2006, Paul was drumming for Hellyeah, a supergroup featuring Mudvayne singer Chad Gray and guitarist Greg Tribbett, as well as Nothingface guitarist Tom Maxwell and bassist Jerry Montano. Damageplan’s Bob Zilla eventually replaced Montano on bass.
Their most recent release was Unden!able in 2016.
