Vinnie Paul

March 11, 1964 – June 22, 2018

Tributes have flooded in for Vinnie Paul, the 54-yearold drummer with Texan band Hellyeah, who died suddenly as this issue went to press. Cause of death has not yet been announced.

Born Vincent Paul Abbott, he was the brother and bandmate of Pantera and Damageplan guitarist Dimebag Darrell, who was shot and killed while performing on stage in 2004. Pantera’s popularity during the 1990s was so huge that their seventh studio album, Far Beyond Driven, entered the US Billboard chart at No.1.

Tributes came from Dave Mustaine, the Anthrax pair of Scott Ian and Charlie Benante, Mike Portnoy, Sebastian Bach, Devin Townsend, Bret Michaels and Rikki Rockett of Poison, Papa Roach, Matt Sorum, Jeff Scott Soto, John Corabi and Carmine Appice, among others. Paul Stanley said on Twitter: “The rock community is reeling from the loss of Vinnie Paul, a friend and inspiration to so many.”

Paul was buried at a private service in Arlington, Texas, next to his mother Carolyn and brother Darrell.

Vocalist Phil Anselmo, Paul’s former Pantera bandmate, appeared via video link at a public memorial service for Paul at the Bomb Factory in Dallas, telling those gathered: “I will always have love in my heart for you, Vinnie. Rest in peace.”

Pantera bassist Rex Brown added: “The last few days have been very difficult and painful. At this time, I need more time to process my feelings. Thank you for all the love that has been sent.”