KORN's BRIAN 'HEAD' WELCH: 'VINNIE PAUL Was Definitely The Kindest Living Legend I've Ever Met'

June 23, 2018

KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch has paid tribute to Vinnie Paul Abbott, saying that the former PANTERA drummer "was definitely the kindest living legend" he had ever met.

Vinnie Paul reportedly died in his sleep at his home in Las Vegas on Friday, June 22.

Writing on his Instagram, Welch said: "My God, we have lost another friend.

"I don't understand what is happening.

"The music world has been completely shaken by too many premature deaths the last few years. It's horrible.

"Vinnie Paul was definitely the kindest living legend I've ever met. He endured so much tragedy yet still had so much more love and positivity. Truly a kind soul with such a giving heart.

"Just in the last couple of years, he surprised KORN with some cool gifts. Right after we walked off stage in Dallas, we were shocked to find a brand new thundering loud stereo blaring music in our dressing room as we walked in — compliments of Vinnie Paul. And on our European tour with HELLYEAH, Vinnie surprised Fieldy with a brand new bass... signed by Paul McCartney. That's the type of person he was.

"Vinnie, you were one of a kind and will be so missed by countless people.

"God, let your unconditional love and mercy bring Vinnie Paul back together with his brother, and be with his family through this devastating loss."

During a recent interview with "A.D. On The Radio", KORN frontman Jonathan Davis revealed that PANTERA's "Vulgar Display Of Power" was "the metal record that made me wanna do heavy music." He said: "When that came out, I was, like, 'That's so heavy. And the groove…' It spoke to me. 'Cause I like funk, I like rhythms. I was really into New York freestyle music, disco back in the '80s — all that stuff. I was into underground dance music and Chicago Wax Trax and industrial. That was my thing — more underground stuff."

My God, we have lost another friend. I don't understand what is happening. The music world has been completely shaken by too many pre-mature deaths the last few years, its horrible. Vinnie Paul was definitely the kindest living legend I've ever met. He endured so much tragedy, yet still had so much more love and positivity. Truly a kind soul with such a giving heart. Just in the last couple years he surprised Korn with some cool gifts. Right after we walked off stage in Dallas we were shocked to find a brand new thundering loud stereo blaring music in our dressing room as we walked in – compliments of Vinnie Paul. And on our European tour with HELLYEAH Vinnie surprised Fieldy with a brand new bass... signed by Paul McCartney. That's the type of person he was. Vinnie, you were one-of-a-kind and will be so missed by countless people. God, let your unconditional love and mercy bring Vinnie Paul back together with his brother, and be with his family through this devastating loss. https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/obituary/8462386/vinnie-paul-dead-pantera-damageplan-hellyeah

A post shared by Brian Welch (@brianheadwelch) on

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