Vinnie Paul, founding member of metal band Pantera, dies at 54

Vinnie Paul, the drummer and founding member of metal band Pantera, died at the age of 54 on Friday night, reports Rolling Stone.

According to a post on the band's Facebook page, "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."

The Texas-born Paul formed Pantera with his brother, guitar virtuoso "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, in 1981. Darrell Abbott died in 2004, at the age of 38, after being shot in the face by a fan in Columbus, Ohio.