Vinnie Paul | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Vincent Paul Abbott |
Born | March 11, 1964 |
Origin | Abilene, Texas, United States |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, producer |
Instruments | |
Years active | 1981–present |
Labels | Big Vin |
Associated acts | |
Website | www |
Vincent Paul Abbott, also known as Vinnie Paul (born March 11, 1964), is an American professional drummer and producer who is best known for being a former member, and co-founder, of the heavy metal band Pantera. He is currently a member of supergroup Hellyeah. He also co-founded the heavy metal band Damageplan in 2003 with his late younger brother, Dimebag Darrell.
Vincent Paul Abbott was born in Abilene on March 11, 1964. His parents are Jerry, a country music songwriter and producer, and Carolyn Abbott.
In December 2008, he handpicked several of his most memorable drum parts to demonstrate in a promotional video for the drum company ddrum: "Use My Third Arm," "Primal Concrete Sledge," "13 Steps to Nowhere," "Domination" and "Becoming." In 2009, he started American Drummer Champions with the aide of friend and influence M.Ludowise, former Downset drummer.
In August 2013, Paul featured in a music video for Black Label Society's cover of "Ain't No Sunshine", appearing alongside a horse-masked Zakk Wylde. Wylde and Paul are well known to be close friends, with Wylde also having been particularly close with Paul's brother Dimebag Darrell before his death in 2004.
Paul formed the heavy metal band Pantera in 1981 with his brother Dimebag Darrell (then known as Diamond Darrell) and Terry Glaze on guitars, bassist Tommy D. Bradford, and vocalist Donnie Hart. Upon Hart's departure, Glaze assumed vocal duties. In the summer of 1982, Bradford left the band and was replaced by Rex Brown. The band released three albums with that lineup.
Pantera recruited vocalist Phil Anselmo to replace Glaze in 1987. By 1990, the band had been signed to Atco Records and released Cowboys from Hell, which proved to be the band's turning point. Over the course of four more studio records, a live album and a greatest hits compilation, Anselmo and Pantera were nominated for four best metal performance Grammys for the songs "I'm Broken", "Suicide Note Pt. I", "Cemetery Gates" and "Revolution Is My Name".