THE BEAST

According to Billboard, former PANTERA drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott has died. He was 54 years old.

His representative confirmed the legendary drummer's death to Billboard, but added that no further details are available at this time.

Vinnie Paul was co-founder and drummer for PANTERA. When PANTERA broke up in 2003, Vinnie and his brother "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott formed DAMAGEPLAN. On December 8, 2004, while performing with DAMAGEPLAN at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, Dimebag was shot and killed onstage by Nathan Gale. He was 38 years old.

Since his brother's murder, Vinnie Paul released several Dimebag-related items through his Big Vin Records label, including DVDs and the paperback book "He Came to Rock". Vinnie later said that the Dimebag-related releases weren't an attempt to cash in on his brother's tragic end but rather a way to keep Dimebag's legacy alive and well.

This story will be updated with more information as it becomes available.