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HELLYEAH Guitarist CHRISTIAN BRADY Pays Tribute To VINNIE PAUL: 'You Will Be On My Mind And In My Heart For The Rest Of My Life'

June 28, 2018

HELLYEAH guitarist Christian Brady has released the following statement regarding the passing of his bandmate, drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott:

"I'm sitting here in tears writing this. I haven't been able to find the words to do this... Maybe I just haven't had the will to do it yet because I knew once I did, it would make it real and I still keep hoping that this is just a horrible nightmare that I'm going to wake up from. But I know it's not.

"A friend of ours said to me today: 'Sometimes you get to meet your heroes and they turn out to be cool, and then maybe you got lucky enough to meet Vinnie Paul.' Vinnie... not only was I lucky enough to meet you, I was lucky enough to be taken in as your family. I was lucky enough to create and play music with you. I was lucky enough to have you call me your brother and tell me you love me. I was lucky enough to call you my brother and tell you I love you. You will ALWAYS be with me. I can't even begin to thank you for everything you did... for me, for our band. You were the most incredibly generous person I've ever known. You changed my life in so many ways and I will FOREVER be grateful for you.

"The only thing that makes me smile right now amidst the ocean of tears is that I know you're with Dime again. I know he was there waiting for you with a shot and smiling... 'Drink it or wear it big, bro!'... and I know the heavens are rocking harder than ever right now.

"You always believed that when you lose someone so close to you, you have to live for two. That's exactly what you did and now that's exactly what I'm going to do. You will be missed every day. You will be on my mind and in my heart for the rest of my life. I love you with all of my heart, bro. Thank you for everything. May you rest in peace. Until we meet again, my dear friend..."

Vinnie passed away on Friday (June 22) at his home in Las Vegas at the age of 54. The drummer's death "did not appear suspicious," according to the official report of the event recorded by Metropolitan Police officers. Sources close to Vinnie told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he suffered a "major heart attack," but that information has not been corroborated yet by an official source.

Vinnie had reportedly finished laying down drum tracks for the next HELLYEAH album, although there is no word yet on when or if that LP will see the light of day.

A public memorial for Vinnie Paul will be held this Sunday, July 1, at Bomb Factory in Dallas, Texas. 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. The event announcement notes: "There are no advance tickets, lines or lists."

The musician's funeral will be held on Saturday, June 30, with the private service also scheduled to begin at 3:33 p.m. Following the services on Saturday and Sunday, Vinnie will be buried alongside his mother and brother.

I’m sitting here in tears writing this. I haven’t been able to find the words to do this...maybe I just haven’t had the will to do it yet because I knew once I did, it would make it real and I still keep hoping that this is just a horrible nightmare that I’m going to wake up from. But I know it’s not. A friend of ours said to me today...”sometimes you get to meet your heroes and they turn out to be cool, and then maybe you got lucky enough to meet Vinnie Paul.” Vinnie...not only was I lucky enough to meet you, I was lucky enough to be taken in as your family. I was lucky enough to create and play music with you. I was lucky enough to have you call me your brother and tell me you love me. I was lucky enough to call you my brother and tell you I love you. You will ALWAYS be with me. I can’t even begin to thank you for everything you did...for me, for our band. You were the most incredibly generous person I’ve ever known. You changed my life in so many ways and I will FOREVER be grateful for you. The only thing that makes me smile right now amidst the ocean of tears is that I know you’re with Dime again. I know he was there waiting for you with a shot and smiling...”Drink it or wear it big bro!”...and I know the heavens are rocking harder than ever right now. You always believed that when you lose someone so close to you, you have to live for two. That’s exactly what you did and now that’s exactly what I’m going to do. You will be missed everyday. You will be on my mind and in my heart for the rest of my life. I love you with all of my heart bro. Thank you for everything. May you Rest In Peace. Until we meet again my dear friend...💔💔💔 . . #vinniepaul #brothers #legend #pantera #hellyeah #iloveyou #restinpeace

A post shared by Christian Brady (@christianbradyhellyeah) on

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