Pantera drummer and co-founder, Vinnie Paul, dies at 54

Charles Ventura | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Fans shocked over sudden death of Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul, the drummer and co-founder of iconic heavy metal band Pantera, has died. The cause of death was not immediately clear.

Vinnie Paul, the drummer and co-founder of iconic heavy metal band Pantera, died Friday. He was 54.

"Vincent Paul Abbott aka Vinnie Paul has passed away," the band announced on Facebook, adding: "The family requests you please respect their privacy during this time."

Jane Hoffman, a Pantera spokesperson, confirmed the news to USA TODAY Saturday.

The cause of death was not immediately clear.

The son of the country songwriter Jerry Abbott, Paul, born Vincent Paul Abbott, was also the drummer for Hellyeah. He and his brother, guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, formed Pantera in the early 1980s and found mainstream success with singer Phil Anselmo.

Tributes started to pour in as news of Paul's death spread on social media.

KISS singer Paul Stanley took to Twitter and expressed his condolences.

"So sad to hear of the death of Vinnie Paul," the legendary rocker tweeted. "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."

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

Megadeath frontman Dave Mustaine was also saddened to hear about the death, tweeting: "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."

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

The Eleven Seven Music label, whose roster includes Hellyeah, called Paul an "inspiration" in a statement Saturday.

"Vinnie Paul Abbott wasn’t just a drummer, he was an iconic fixture in the metal and hard rock community, a pioneer, and an absolute legend," the statement read. "Today, the world not only lost a legend, but also a genuine human being who lived to put a smile on the faces of everyone he met."