As soon as the news surfaced late last night that HELLYEAH / Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott had passed away, the metal community was stunned. It was clear with the immediate tributes that Paul touched many in the metal community, far and wide.
Here's what they have to say. We will keep updating this post throughout the weekend.
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. pic.twitter.com/4yCzabmWVt— Pantera (@Pantera) June 23, 2018
GOD BLESS VINNIE PAUL – 1964-2O18 – FATHER VINNIE,Your Compassion for others & Your Love for seeing everyone around you Happy I will never forget – Your Heart of Gold Made The World a Better Place – Go be w/Your BELOVED BROTHER – I LOVE YOU – tBLSt SDMF pic.twitter.com/8VC3T3hQa2
— Zakk Wylde (@ZakkWyldeBLS) June 23, 2018
Thank you for all the good times, Vinnie…your incredible hospitality and warm vibe was infectious and inspiring. Here’s to another shot of Crown Royal and a next level game of air hockey down the road! RIP, brother. Much love. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ehNXoO88jY
— Lars Ulrich (@larsulrich) June 23, 2018
Vinnie…..to the man with the slickest kicks and the best vibe ALWAYS. You inspired us all, not only with your music, but with your love and hospitality. You were one in a million, and will be missed… pic.twitter.com/CTa5rWClJl
— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) June 23, 2018
Vince.
Love you man.
RIP#vinniepaulabbott https://t.co/wjwCIGfQxG— Corey Taylor (@CoreyTaylorRock) June 23, 2018
I just woke up in Belgium to the news that my friend Vinnie Paul has passed away. Another metal hero taken too soon. Say hello to Daryl for me. Rest In Peace, my dear friend. @Pantera @hellyeahband #vinniepaul
— Dave Mustaine (@DaveMustaine) June 23, 2018
Tragic news about Vinnie Paul today. He was one of the warmest people I knew. A truly good & fun friend. We're going to miss you more than you could possibly have known. RIP buddy. https://t.co/yQqruY4tio
— Slash (@Slash) June 23, 2018
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. pic.twitter.com/adiO8B16jf
— Geezer Butler (@geezerbutler) June 23, 2018
Terribly saddened by the news of Vinnie Paul’s passing. Vinnie was a beloved fixture in the rock and metal communities and we will miss seeing him out on the road. His impact on heavy music is immeasurable. Rest In Peace Vinnie, condolences to your family, friends and fans.
— Alice Cooper (@alicecooper) June 23, 2018
Rock in peace Vinnie Paul
Say hi to brother Dime from all of us
We love you . Wish you were still here. Gone too soon man . Thanks for the music. And more importantly 30 years of non stop friendship. How rare is that In this business? I'm really gonna miss you ? pic.twitter.com/LUY41pzC0l— Sebastian Bach (@sebastianbach) June 23, 2018
R.I.P. Vinnie Paul.
Epic brothers. Both gone now. Loved watching PANTERA live back in the day…a true force of nature.#vinniepaul #pantera #dimebagdarrel #RIPVinniePaul pic.twitter.com/lDjJEPgUEg— ??????? ????? (@Michael_Amott) June 23, 2018
I’m sad. One of many hammered nights I spent with this man… stunned. ?
R.I.P. V.P. pic.twitter.com/ks6uxfbjID— Robb Flynn (@TheGeneralMH) June 23, 2018
My God, we have lost another friend. I don't understand what is happening. The music world has been completely shaken by too many pre-mature deaths the last few years, its… https://t.co/JxcdWOVR9x
— Brian Welch (@brianheadwelch) June 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/genesimmons/status/1010376988983521280
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 center at all KISS shows. RIP and condolences to his family. https://t.co/DaQREBNVW7
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) June 23, 2018
Damn it. I love you brother. RIP Vinnie Paul. https://t.co/73fTmNLA2F
— Scott Ian (@Scott_Ian) June 23, 2018
This is so sad-I’ll miss u Vinnie.. R.I.P. brother… #RipVinniePaul https://t.co/2IRTvGEkSb
— FrankBello (@TheFrankBello) June 23, 2018
RIP Vinnie Paul. Friend. Humorist. Badass drummer. All-around good man. Condolences to the family. You will be missed bro…
— Duff McKagan (@DuffMcKagan) June 23, 2018
Very saddened to wake up in Belgium today to the news of Vinnie Paul’s passing. You were a good friend and left us an amazing legacy. Go home in peace…. #ripvinniepaul hellyeahofficial… https://t.co/Wwn5VQqzbr
— David Ellefson (@ellefsondavid) June 23, 2018
Like his brother, he spent his energy sharing his talent with us and bringing heavy music to people all over the world. His unique presence will be sorely missed down here. https://t.co/ZknPIrj2io
— Marty Friedman (@marty_friedman) June 23, 2018
I'm so fucking sad right now. R.I.P. Vinnie Paul…I love you ? #cantstopcrying @ Eindhoven, Noord-Brabant https://t.co/jpntQAXAdI
— Robert Caggiano (@RobCaggiano) June 23, 2018
Just woke up to the horrible news of Vinnie Paul from @Pantera passing away. Vinnie was both an amazing drummer and person-always filled with positive energy. You will be missed………. #VinniePaul pic.twitter.com/OMdMV3UCWs
— ????? ?????? (@shawndrover) June 23, 2018
Rest In Peace Vinnie Paul. Heaven has Dimebag and Vinnie now ??#RIPVINNIEPAUL
— Travis Barker (@travisbarker) June 23, 2018
R.i.p Vinnie Paul. :( I found him soft spoken… peace brother.
— Devin Townsend (@dvntownsend) June 23, 2018
RIP VInnie Paul dammit
— Brendon Small (@_Brendonsmall) June 23, 2018
Miss you. Vinnie. A total monster behind the kit and a blast to hang with. Way too soon, but go be metal gods with your brother. We get it. #ripvinniepaul pic.twitter.com/NFU5ayLqhg
— Brian Posehn (@thebrianposehn) June 23, 2018
We love you Big Vin. Thanks for always supporting and believing in #Fozzy. Fuck we are going to miss rocking with u… #RIPVinniePaul @hellyeahband @Pantera pic.twitter.com/cxucc5CcV9
— FOZZY (@FOZZYROCK) June 23, 2018
Man this really sucks! I was fortunate to hang with Vinnie and Dime many times over the years, such great guys. I hope they are jamming again right now. #ripvinniepaul https://t.co/QkmtNfrpJg
— Brian Slagel (@brianslagel) June 23, 2018
Super sad news. Great guy/Great drummer. No idea what happened. Like his bro, gifted & too young to go. May they jam in eternity #RIPVinniePaul https://t.co/Y2XRmXScXg
— Alex Skolnick (@AlexSkolnick) June 23, 2018
Rest in peace | #vinniepaul #dimebagdarrell pic.twitter.com/NGwpdp3c0v
— Matthew kiichichaos Heafy (@matthewkheafy) June 24, 2018
I cannot believe it !! My good friend Vinny Paul dead. So sad. He was such a good guy. Fun sad a great drummer !I am bummed. RIP my friend my Prays go out to his family. ???
— Carmine Appice (@carmineappice1) June 23, 2018
FUCK!!! Just waking up here in Belgium to the news of Vinnie Paul…I’m in total shock…Heaven just got a little crazier with the Abbott Bros back together again…RIP Bro ? pic.twitter.com/HkC2yVaqtu
— Mike Portnoy ? (@MikePortnoy) June 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/codeorangekids/status/1010396195984953349
RIP Vinnie. We are all devastated by your passing. Words can't describe how important you were to us in life and music. You're an inspiration to us all and you'll be forever missed. Thank you for everything.
— UNEARTH (@Unearthofficial) June 23, 2018
So shocked to wake up and find out about Vinnie Paul's passing. One of my favorite drummers and a huge influence on my drumming, especially his double bass work. A super nice guy every time I met him too. I'll be cranking up some Pantera vinyl in honor of Vinnie and Dime today. https://t.co/xPOwZ2azTk
— Richard Christy (@cwotd) June 23, 2018
Such devastating news. RIP Vinnie @Pantera @hellyeahband https://t.co/EqDHVrgRBt
— OVERKILL (@OverkillBand) June 23, 2018
Rest in Power Vinnie Paul, from Vinny Paul. pic.twitter.com/tDRnpc2Nk2
— vincent bennett: filthy casual (@xDIAMONDCUTx) June 23, 2018
Shocked and saddened by the news of Vinnie Paul’s passing. Pantera got me into heavy music, seeing them live and watching the brilliant dynamic between the Abbott brothers forever left a mark on me. RIP pic.twitter.com/iuTNTn8DLH
— Dave Davidson (@Dave_Revocation) June 23, 2018
The World has lost another legend. He was an inspiration and a good friend… We will miss you Vinnie Paul. R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/KhCy2HKgMW
— Five Finger Death Punch (@FFDP) June 23, 2018
Rest easy Vinnie https://t.co/NzVNqw1vCj
— Orange Goblin (@OrangeGoblin1) June 23, 2018
I’m sad to hear my friend Vinnie Paul has passed away. Always one of the sweetest people in this rock n roll world. I will never forget his laugh. Also, the intro to our song 10 strikes you’re out is a straight up Vinnie quote. 1,2, BBQ!!!!!!
— Stix Zadinia (@Stixzadinia) June 23, 2018
RIP Vinnie.
— William DuVall (@WilliamDuvall) June 23, 2018
Saddened by the news this morning Vinnie Paul, Rest In Peace https://t.co/9CIrJgLztY
— Juan of the Dead (@_Juan_Garcia) June 23, 2018
R.I.P. Vinnie Paul Abbot
— Dino Cazares (@DinoCazares) June 23, 2018
Vinnie was a great friend. My heart is aching. My prayers and condolences go out to his family, band and crew. Godspeed my friend. #VinniePaul pic.twitter.com/lY8JdvveBE
— Bret Michaels (@bretmichaels) June 23, 2018
FUCK ? NO ? #ripvinnie ? #NOWORDS ? #OTEP pic.twitter.com/AwA4S8xGtQ
— ? OTEP SHAMAYA ? (@otepofficial) June 23, 2018
Rest in Power, Vinnie Paul @VPPantera
Our condolences to all who loved him.#RIPVinniePaul @Pantera @JoseMangin @ZakkwyldeBLS @DdrumsUSA @VicFirth @Sabian_cymbals #BigVinRecords @Hellyeahband pic.twitter.com/CzeF8vdTHv— BATTLECROSS (@Battlecross) June 23, 2018
Don’t even know what to say. Vinnie was such an incredibly fun and joyful person to be around. Some of the greatest times of my life were spent throwing back drinks with Vinnie and brother… https://t.co/TtNfItxB1I
— Brian Fair (@brianshadfall) June 23, 2018
Today we sadly lost one of the great ones and a true sweetheart. Dear Vinnie, you were such a lovable guy and a friend with a big heart. Thanks for all the great moments together. Your… https://t.co/KXomFrasdj
— Volbeat (@VOLBEAT) June 23, 2018
Vinnie, you will be missed. R.I.P #vinniepaul #rip #wewillmissyoubrother pic.twitter.com/P8AuZG04jH
— John 5 (@john5guitarist) June 23, 2018
So sorry to hear about Vinnie Paul. The man was a Class act and always treated everyone with respect. Here’s to one of metal’s best!
— Rikki Rockett (@RikkiRockett) June 23, 2018
#Rip Vinnie Paul , A monster of a drummer and always the life of the party !! Thanks for all the good times and the hospitality at The Clubhouse in Dallas . A true Rock N Roll Spirit that will be truly missed . pic.twitter.com/HXq1cPS3BU
— matt sorum (@mattsorum) June 23, 2018
This is just heartbreaking . Rock has lost another legend & Earth has lost a great upbeat person #VinniePaul @Pantera @hellyeahband You will be missed . Just tragic !!!!
— Rev. Riki Rachtman (@RikiRachtman) June 23, 2018
We have no words. I just saw Vinnie last week in Las Vegas when he attended our show. One of the nicest guys we ever talked to, learned a lot from him and the stories were amazing. We even talked about possibly touring together again. This really sucks. RIP friend. pic.twitter.com/JgbBFD0klS
— Nonpoint (@nonpoint) June 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/benjaminbruce/status/1010433749056663552
REST IN PEACE VINNIE ?? pic.twitter.com/oUSoh73x0J
— Puya (@Puya_) June 23, 2018
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkWocb9jdqd/?
Gutted to hear about the nicest guy in metal passing. Vinnie Paul showed us nothing but love. We'll miss you Vinnie.
— Papa Roach (@paparoach) June 23, 2018
Rest in Peace Vinnie Paul. pic.twitter.com/3PHSWSBURw
— Official Dio (@OfficialRJDio) June 23, 2018