Hellyeah was formed in 2006
Hellyeah frontman Chad Gray spoke emotionally about his bandmate Vinnie Paul , who passed away last Friday, the 22nd.
"First of all, I am so sorry for our loss. This has consumed me, as I'm sure it has consumed many of you.".
I'm sure everyone can understand that this has been incredibly difficult and impossible for me. I just don't want to believe it's real.
I want to tell my entire team that I love you all. We couldn't do what we do without you. And I want to thank everyone around the world for your kind words, blessings, and condolences to all of us during this tragic time. We love you all. And to all my friends inside and outside the music world, thank you. It means more than I could express. I don't know what I would do without you, so thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This really took the "heavy metal family" to another level.
This has been one of the hardest things I've ever had to face in my life! I'm as confused, sad, and helpless as I've ever been. I'm lost and completely devastated. But I'm trying; it's the equivalent of emotional turmoil in my head and heart as I write this, but I'm trying to focus on something good. I know Vinnie would have liked this, and the good things are my memories of him. His smile, his infectious laugh, and his personality that radiated light.
He and his brother Dimebag lived to make people smile. That's what I'll miss the most.
I just want to say, thank you Vinnie Paul! For saving my life, for your music, for your endless generosity, for accepting me into your life, for creating our music that touched people, for being proud to be in Hellyeah and for always treating me like a brother, and most importantly, for treating me like a friend. So many times I looked back to see you just playing and had to pinch myself. It was unbelievable. And for all these things you will live forever in my heart. I will never let you go. I will always love you and go to the ends of the earth to carry the torch for you and Dime's legacy.
Rest in peace, Vincent Paul Abbott. I know you're with Dimebag now, smiling down on us. Even in all this emotional darkness, that thought just makes me smile back. I love you! Your forever friend, Chadness
