Vinnie Paul dead at 54

Vincent Paul Abbott

March 11, 1964 - June 22, 2018

Vinnie Paul, drummer and co-founder of Texas metal band Pantera, died late Friday night. No further details were provided in the statement posted to Pantera's Facebook page, which also asked for fans to respect the privacy of Paul's family during this time. Since the statement's post, the cause of death is still unknown. Paul was 54. 

Born Vincent Paul Abbott in Abliene, Texas, Paul and his younger brother "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott grew up listening to hard rock and heavy metal music. Music was already in the Abbott family as their father, Jerry, was a country singer. Come 1981, the Abbott brothers formed Pantera. It took a while for the brothers to find a stable line-up but by 1983, the band consisted of the Abbott brothers, bassist Rex Brown and singer Terry Glaze. The band released a few albums in the 1980s, all of which were glam metal efforts that sold little to nothing. By 1990, Glaze had left the band and was replaced by Phil Anselmo. With the release of their fifth album, Cowboys from Hell, the band had completely rebranded themselves with a heavier sound and image. Released in 1990, Cowboys from Hell was the band's breakthrough. It has since then been certified Gold and Platinum. Pantera were able to continue their success, making them one of the most popular metal bands of the 1990s. The band would release other hit albums such as Vulgar Display of Power (1992), Far Beyond Driven (1994) and The Great Southern Trendkill (1996). The band would stick together until their split in 2003. 

After the split of Pantera, the Abbott brothers formed a new band called Damageplan. The band's debut, New Found Glory, was released in early 2004. Sadly, tragedy struck the band on December 8, 2004 during a gig in Columbus, Ohio at the Alrosa Villa when Dimebag Darrell Abbott was murdered. Barely into the first song in the set, a 25 year old man named Nathan Gale walked up onto the stage and shot Darrell. Gale proceeded to fire 15 shots in total, killing three more people and injuring seven others, before Officer James Niggemeyer shot Gale from the other side of the stage. A fan and paramedics tried to revive Darrell but were unsuccessful. As a result of the tragedy, Damageplan ceased to be. 

After the death of his brother, Paul started his own record label- Big Vin Records- in 2006. Paul was hesitant about performing again but soon enough, Paul had joined the supergroup HellYeah that same year. For the next decade, HellYeah toured and recorded several albums. Their latest album is 2016's Unden!able. According to sources, the band had started recording their sixth album in November of last year. Whether or not the album was completed before Paul's death is unknown. 

This post will be updated and/or followed up once any additional information about Paul's passing has been revealed.

UPDATE (6/24/18): Vinnie Paul's family revealed that ex Pantera drummer died in his sleep. An autopsy will be performed before Paul's body is flown to Texas to be buried- where he is to be buried near his brother Darrell and mother Carolyn. BlabberMouth is also reporting that Paul had recorded his drumming for HellYeah's sixth studio album. Whether the album will be released later in the year or not is unknown at this point in time. 

Paul McCartney to release Egypt Station in September

After a week or so of hints, it has been officially announced that Paul McCartney will release a new studio album in the fall. The album, Egypt Station, will be the former Beatle's first album since 2013's New. McCartney has already released two songs from the album as the first two singles- "I Don't Know" and "Come On To Me."

In the meantime, Beatles fans can look forward to the re-release of Yellow Submarine in theaters next month for its 50th. Fans can also expect a deluxe edition reissue of The White Album later in the year, which is being done for the iconic album's 50th anniversary. No word as to the content of the re-release but it should serve as a follow up to the campaign for Sgt. Pepper's 50th last year.

Egypt Station will be released on September 7 on Capitol Records.

Listen to the two new songs right here.

Danny Kirwan dead at 68

Daniel David Kirwan

May 13, 1950 - June 8, 2018

Former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Danny Kirwan died yesterday at the age of 68. The news broke late last night via Fleetwood Mac's Facebook page, with a statement from drummer Mick Fleetwood. In the statement, Fleetwood  described Kirwan as a "huge force" in the band's early years.

Born in Brixton, London, Kirwan started his musical career when he was only 16 years old- joining the band Boilerhouse in 1966. It was during his time in Boilerhouse that he met producer Mike Vernon. At that time, Vernon was Fleetwood Mac's producer. After watching Kirwan rehearse with Boilerhouse, Vernon passed this on to Fleetwood Mac guitarist/founder Peter Green. Green was impressed by the young Kirwan's playing. The two became friends as Boilerhouse would open for Fleetwood Mac in London venues. 

Come 1968, Green became interested in managing Boilerhouse professionally. When bassist Trevor Stevens and drummer Dave Terrey showed no interest, Green tried to find a rhythm section to accompany Kirwan. After several auditions, Green couldn't find the right people. By August 1968, the 18-year-old Kirwan had joined Fleetwood Mac as a fifth member. With Kirwan in the group, the band had another songwriter. Kirwan's first album with the band was 1969's Then Play On. Kirwan wrote half of the songs on the album- including "Coming Your Way" and "One Sunny Day." However, Then Play On would be the band's last with Green as he left the band shortly afterwards. The band decided to continue without Green. During this time, there were more changes to the band's line up. Kirwan would stay in the band until 1972, playing on the following albums:

Kiln House (1970)- the band's first with Peter Green and their last with guitarist Jeremy Spencer

Future Games (1971)- the band's first with Bob Welch and Christine McVie

Bare Trees (1972)

In his last years with Fleetwood Mac, Kirwan struggled with alcoholism and, according to some sources, would go days without eating. Kirwan's bizarre behavior came to a head in 1972 while on tour in the US. Kirwan got into an argument with guitarist Bob Welch that was so intense, Kirwan proceeded to bang his head and fists against the wall. He then proceeded to smash his guitar, after which he refused to go on stage. Kirwan was fired as a result.  

After his time in Fleetwood Mac, Kirwan embarked on a solo career. He would release three studio albums between 1975 and 1979. During the late 1970s, Kirwan struggled with mental issues. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Kirwan was homeless. According to an article from the Independent from 1993, Kirwan had been living in St. Mungo's Hostel for the homeless in London since 1989. In an interview in 2014 with Nightwatcher's House of Rock , former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Jeremy Spencer stated that he last saw Kirwan in 2001 for a morning meal in London- with Spencer's wife, Kirwan's ex-wife and Danny's son Dominic in attendance. Spencer also stated that Kirwan wasn't living "like a down and out tramp"- citing that Kirwan still played guitar and read. 

Below is the full statement from Mick Fleetwood:

"Today was greeted by the sad news of the passing of Danny Kirwan in London, England. Danny was a huge force in our early years. His love for the Blues led him to being asked to join Fleetwood Mac in 1968, where he made his musical home for many years. Danny’s true legacy, in my mind, will forever live on in the music he wrote and played so beautifully as a part of the foundation of Fleetwood Mac, that has now endured for over fifty years. Thank you, Danny Kirwan. You will forever be missed!"

~Mick Fleetwood and Fleetwood Mac