Vinnie Paul, the drummer and a founding member of heavy metal band Pantera, died Friday at age 54. No cause of death was disclosed. “Vincent Paul Abbott aka Vinnie Paul has passed away,” the band announced on Facebook. “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 Pantera with his brother, guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, in the early 1980s. The band split in 2003, and the brothers joined forces with vocalist Pat Lachman and bassist Bob Zilla as Damageplan and released their debut album, “New Found Power.” However in 2004, Darrell was fatally shot onstage in Columbus, Ohio, by a deranged fan. Paul then went on to play drums in Hellyeah.
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