The Arlington, Texas house that once belonged to late PANTERA and HELLYEAH drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott has reportedly been demolished after being sold to an anonymous buyer.
Last month, former promotional director for the “Ride For Dime” event, Derek “D-Rock” Walker, posted to to Facebook sharing new photos of Vinnie’s former property, which included the following message: “Absolutely gut wrenching and heartbreaking. This is what remains of the monument that was Vinnie Paul‘s home in Arlington, Texas.
“This was not only a heavy metal landmark, but a staple in PANTERA‘s rock and roll legacy,” he continued. “Sold off to private investors to be leveled for a new build. If you were fortunate enough to be invited over, cherish the memories forever…
“Ironically enough the last photo of Vinnie Paul‘s Play House, the ‘Brick Wall’ stands alone.”
Of course the pics caused a serious outcry from numerous PANTERA fans within the comments below the Facebook post. Leah Winfield, wife of longtime PANTERA producer Sterling Winfield, assured everyone that Vinnie’s “estate has been handled according to his wishes. Heartbreaking at times, but his stated terms. Maybe this can help folks be a little kinder to those fulfilling his final wishes.”
Leah continued: “There’s so much to it that doesn’t need to be public. And it was never going to be the place it was. We can’t go backwards.” Explaining that her husband is “a beneficiary,” she wrote: “None of this is about money, contrary to a lot of opinions. And absolutely none of it has been easy.”
Walker responded to Winfield, writing: “I know that, I’ve always had nothing but love and respect for y’all. I’m sure none of the process was easy to navigate through. This hurts a lot of us, on a lot of levels, in different ways. Solidifies the end of an Era that some of us still refuse to acknowledge. I meant no disrespect and my post was meant to be a heartfelt send-off in my own way. Long live Vinnie Paul the Brick Wall, and may the legacy of the Abbott Brothers remain Stronger than All.”
Vinnie Paul actually designed the 3,784-square-foot home, which rested on on 1.5 acres and offers incredible views Arlington, downtown Fort Worth and Las Colinas.
Vinnie Paul passed away on June 22, 2018 while at his other home in Las Vegas, Nevada of dilated cardiomyopathy, an enlarged heart, as well as severe coronary artery disease. He was 54 years old.