Jerry Abbott, father of Pantera drummer "Vinnie Paul" Abbott and guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, has died at 80 years old.
News of Abbott's passing comes from his friend Danny Wood Sr., as reported by Blabbermouth: "I'm very sad to tell everyone of the passing of a close friend Jerry Abbott," wrote Wood Sr. "He died last night in a Denton care giving facility. His Family is having a private Funeral for Family and close Friends with a Memorial Service being planned. Details soon."
Abbott produced Pantera's first three records – Metal Magic in 1983, Projects In The Jungle in 1984, and I Am The Night in 1985 – engineered their 1988 record Power Metal, put out all four under his own Metal Magic Records, and eventually worked with Pantera again when they recorded their 1994 album Far Beyond Driven at his Abtrax Recording studio.
Abbott also had a lengthy career as a country music songwriter and record producer. We wish Abbott's friends and family all the best at this time.
