Vinnie Paul
Former Pantera and Damageplan drummer Vinnie Paul at the Flamingo Las Vegas November 2, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada.Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Vinnie Paul, the drummer and co-founder of metal band Pantera, passed away on Friday night. The band took to Facebook to announce the news of his death, but they did not reveal the cause of his death. He was 54.

"Vincent Paul Abbott aka Vinnie Paul has passed away," the statement on the Pantera Facebook page reads. "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 heavy metal band along with his brother Dimebag Darrell in 1981 and the band found success after the second lead singer, Phil Anselmo, joined in. The band earned four Grammy nominations throughout its career in 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001.

Their album Far Beyond Driven in 1994 debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The album's first single I'm Broken had earned the first Grammy nomination for the band. In 1995, tensions started to emerge within the group after Anselmo became addicted to heroin. In 2001, the band went on a break and two years after that the band was disbanded.

The Abbott brothers went on to form Damageplan with vocalist Pat Lachman and bassist Bob Zila. However, just one after making the Damageplan band, tragedy stuck and Darrell was shot dead onstage during a concert in Ohio in December 2004.

Celebrities mourning his death

Paul's death news came as a shock to everyone, including celebrities, who took to Twitter to offer condolences and pay tribute to the drummer. Paul Stanley, Dave Mustaine, Geezer Butler and other celebrities and musician mourned his death.

"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 centre at all KISS shows. RIP and condolences to his family," Stanley tweeted.

"Shocked and saddened to hear of Vinnie Paul's passing. A true original. Had some good laughs when we toured with @Pantera. Gone too soon," Geezer tweeted. 

 

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