Former PANTERA drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott has died. He was 54 years old.

"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."

I was never a big fan of either band, but did enjoy seeing them live a few times. Sad to hear it.

He’s Dimebag Darrell’s older brother.

I've been a Pantera fan since 1992 and Vinnie's drumming was legendary. His tone, power, style... all unique and perfectly metal. He was also one helluva nice guy on the few occasions I met him, whether at a convention or backstage at a show.

I don't believe in a heaven but if there is one, he's sharing a Black Tooth Grin with Dime right about now.

Shit only two replies??

RIP. The dude can pound the drums.

I was naive thinking somebody we would see a mini Pantera reunion and maybe Zakk Wylde playing for Dimebag unless they did that before?

I liked Pantera and Damage Plan.

I forgive him for being a Cowboys fan

Yeah, it's a shock, I've seen Hellyeah a couple times recently, and certainly respect what he's been doing since Pantera.

One of my videos of Hellyeah

I always liked Pantera musically, but I can't stand Phil Anselmo as a vocalist. His best vocals were on Power Metal, and that is long out of print.

But it is shocking to see that Vinnie died at 54. I did not expect that at all. It's all the more tragic given what happened to his brother (and right in front of him, no less). Such a shame that the Abbott brothers both died before their time. And both of them were really talented, too.

I've just been disappointed that Vinnie went with the singer that he chose for Hellyeah, as once again I couldn't get into the band because of the vocals. Musically they were good and Vinnie was still Vinnie.

Apparently he suffered a massive heart attack

Having been in high school in Dallas during the '90s I was a huge Pantera fan. They lost me around Far Beyond Driven, but I'll still always look back fondly on them. Sucks that the Abbott brothers are both gone.

He had a hot girlfriend too

^^^ Learning the drums really pays off! Wow! Way to go Vinnie. ^^^^

And wearing the chest hair proudly. That gets more respect from me.

Truly a great loss for the rock world. I wasn't really a fan of Pantera but loved "Cementary Gates" and a lot of Hellyeah tunes. I noticed Phil said nothing on his twitter about the death. I guess the bad blood
never eased up.

Phil posted an image of a single candle burning on his Instagram, with no caption.

Honestly, since the band broke up and Phil talked all that shit about how Dime should be "beaten mercilessly" I've always thought he was a piece of shit. Another dumbass putting drugs ahead of his wildly successful career.

He will be buried in a KISS casket just like Dimebag.

http://www.metalinjection.net/latest...imebag-darrell

I like Pantera quite a bit, more or less like Hellyeah, and never got into Damageplan (although I did see the band a few weeks before Dime was shot). It sucks to lose another Abbott. By all accounts those two were really good people, and metal could use more outwardly positive and fun members.

Here's my tribute to Vinnie...

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