Vinnie Paul of Pantera. Photo / Getty Images
Legendary Pantera drummer and co-founder Vinnie Paul has died at age 54.
The musician's passing was confirmed on the band's official Facebook page with a statement that read: "Vincent Paul Abbott aka Vinnie Paul has passed away."
"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 Dimebag Darrell, real name Darrell Lance Abbott, who was also the group's guitarist.
Over the course of 22 years, the band released nine albums, including 1994 U.S. Billboard 200 chart-topper Far Beyond Driven.
They recorded two other top 5 albums, 1996's The Great Southern Trendkill and 2000's Reinventing the Steel.
The band was nominated for four Grammys and sold over nine million albums.
They went on hiatus in 2001 and formally disbanded in 2003.
Following the end of Pantera, Paul formed Damageplan with his brother in 2003.
The band was performing at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio on December 8, 2004 when Darrell was shot and killed on stage.
Paul began drumming for heavy metal supergroup Hellyeah in 2006.
The band also includes Mudvayne vocalist Chad Gray and Nothingface guitarist Tom Maxwell.
Paul was born in March 11, 1964 in Abilene, Texas.
He credited his roots in the Lone Star state for his groove, telling OnlineDrummer.com, 'The Texas thing is part of it, growing up on a healthy dose of ZZ Top and Stevie Ray Vaughan, but I also was a metal-head from day one.
"Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Kiss, Van Halen, all my favorite bands had really great grooves to their music."
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