Pantera rocked a pair of Black Sabbath classics during a 4-song set at the UK band’s farewell concert in Birmingham.
The Texas band took the stage at the city’s Villa Park following a set by a “supergroup” of rockers that included Steven Tyler, Sammy Hagar, Papa V Perpetua, Tom Morello, Nuno Bettencourt and more.
The group opened with "Cowboys From Hell" and "Walk" before delivering covers of "Planet Caravan" and “Electric Funeral” for the sold-out crowd.
Pantera has previously recorded studio versions of both Sabbath tracks: “Planet Caravan” appeared on 1994’s “Far Beyond Driven”, while “Electric Funeral” was featured on the 2000 album, “Reinventing The Steel.”
Billed as “Back To The Beginning”, the event saw the farewell performances by both Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath, where they were joined by a number of guest artists paying tribute to the influential heavy metal band.
A Las Vegas coroner has confirmed the cause of Pantera/Hellyeah drummer Vinnie Paul’s death in the city on June 22.
“Vincent Paul Abbott died from natural causes, specifically, dilated cardiomyopathy (an enlarged heart),” said the family in a statement on social media. “Severe coronary artery disease was identified as a significant condition to the cause of death according to the official report submitted by the Clark County Coroner's office.
“We ask that you please continue to respect the privacy of the family and friends of Vinnie Paul. No further statement will be issued.”
The rocker was buried next to his brother, guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, and their mother, Carolyn, at Moore Memorial Gardens cemetery in a custom Kiss Kasket provided by KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley; Darrell had previously been buried in a similar casket as both were huge fans of the group.
A variety of rockers reportedly spoke at the ceremony, including longtime friend and Grim Reaper guitarist Nick Bowcott, original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley, and Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante, among others.
The private service was followed by “A Public Celebration Of Life" event at the Bomb Factory in Dallas, TX on July 1, which was streamed live via Paul’s social media sites and can be seen in full here.
Pantera and Hellyeah drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott was laid to rest during a private funeral service for friends and family in Arlington, TX on June 30.
Paul – who died in his sleep at home in Las Vegas, NV on June 22 at the age of 54 – was buried next to his brother, guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, and their mother, Carolyn, at Moore Memorial Gardens cemetery in a custom Kiss Kasket provided by KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley; Darrell had previously been buried in a similar casket as both were huge fans of the group.
A variety of rockers reportedly spoke at the ceremony, including longtime friend and Grim Reaper guitarist Nick Bowcott, original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley, and Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante, among others.
The private service was followed by “A Public Celebration Of Life" event at the Bomb Factory in Dallas, TX on July 1, which was streamed live via Paul’s social media sites and can be seen in full below.
The Fort Worth Star Telegram reports Paul's drum kit from Hellyeah sat silently on a stage decorated with flowers from multiple rock stars and other celebrities, including Ozzy Osbourne, Kid Rock, comedian Carrot Top (Paul was a big fan), Black Sabbath's Geezer Butler and bands such as Megadeth, Anthrax, Disturbed, Slayer, Alice In Chains and others.
"We're not mourning Vinnie," said former Pantera tour manager Guy Sykes. “Of course, the world is sad that he's gone… but Vinnie's memory will live on through his music.”
Paul and his brother cofounded Pantera in Arlington, TX in 1981. The group released their debut, “Metal Magic”, in 1983; 1990’s major-label debut and breakthrough, “Cowboys From Hell”, led to a string of platinum albums before they disbanded in 2003.
The Abbott brothers went on to launch Damageplan in 2004; while on tour in support of their debut, “New Found Power”, Dimebag Darrell was shot dead onstage during a December 8, 2004 club show in Columbus, OH.
Vinnie went on to join the new Dallas, TX-based supergroup Hellyeah in 2006, who issued their self-titled debut a year later – the first of five records up to 2016’s “Undeniable.”
A public memorial for the late Pantera/Hellyeah drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott will be held on Sunday, July 1 at the Bomb Factory in Dallas, TX.
Fans interested in attending "Vinnie Paul: A Public Celebration Of Life" must receive a wristband to enter the Bomb Factory; the line for wristbands will begin at noon outside the venue prior to the 3:33 p.m. memorial.
"There are no advance tickets, lines or lists," notes event organizers.
Paul died in his sleep at home in Las Vegas, NV on June 22 at the age of 54; after the medical examiner determines the cause of death, the late rocker will be flown back to his home state to be buried between his mother and brother, guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott.
The public memorial will follow a private funeral on Saturday, June 30, which is scheduled to begin at 3:33 p.m. – a nod to Dimebag’s favorite number, three.
Paul and his brother cofounded Pantera in Arlington, TX in 1981. The group’s 1983 debut, “Metal Magic”, was followed by three more independent records before the 1990 release of the major-label debut, “Cowboys From Hell”, which began a series of multi-platinum albums.
Pantera disbanded in 2003, with the Abbotts going on to launch Damageplan in 2004; while on tour in support of their debut, “New Found Power”, Dimebag Darrell was shot dead onstage during a December 8, 2004 club show in Columbus, OH.
Vinnie went on to join the new Dallas, TX-based supergroup Hellyeah in 2006, who issued their self-titled debut a year later – the first of five records up to 2016’s “Undeniable.”
"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,” said Hellyeah's record label Eleven Seven Music in a statement. “He was a self taught drummer who went on to win many awards for his impeccable skills throughout his career.
"A founding member of Pantera, DamagePlan and his current band Hellyeah, Vinnie was a vital force for bands and millions of fans worldwide. Whether fans were turning their volume to 11 or headbanging their hearts out at live shows, Vinnie was an inspiration... 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. May he be reunited with his brother as we all strive to continue his legacy."
Pantera and Hellyeah drummer and cofounder Vinnie Paul died June 22 in Las Vegas, NV at the age of 54.
News of the rocker's death was announced via his personal and Pantera’s Facebook pages.
“Vincent Paul Abbott aka Vinnie Paul has passed away,” read the statement. “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.”
TMZ reports the drummer’s family confirmed Paul died in his sleep at his Las Vegas home, adding that the medical examiner will determine a cause of death, after which he'll be flown back to his home state of Texas to be buried between his mother and brother, guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott.
Paul and his brother cofounded Pantera in Arlington, TX in 1981. The group’s 1983 debut, “Metal Magic”, and three follow-up records were issued on their own independent label before the 1990 release of the major-label debut, “Cowboys From Hell.”
The addition of singer Phil Anselmo in 1986 came as Pantera were developing their unique mix of hard rock, thrash and hair metal, which would bring them platinum success throughout the 1990s while establishing the Abbott brothers as stars in their own right.
Pantera disbanded in 2003, with the Abbotts going on to launch Damageplan and its 2004 debut, “New Found Power.”
While on tour to support the record, Dimebag Darrell was shot dead onstage during a December 8, 2004 club show in Columbus, OH.
Vinnie went on to join the new Dallas, TX-based supergroup Hellyeah in 2006, who issued their self-titled debut a year later – the first of five releases up to 2016’s “Undeniable.”
In recent months, Hellyeah have been in a Las Vegas studio recording a new album.
