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."
See also:
Pantera and Hellyeah drummer Vinnie Paul dead at 54
