Styx on Vinnie Paul: 'Another Legendary Soldier in the Rock Army Has Left the Planet'

Styx on Vinnie Paul: ‘Another Legendary Soldier in the Rock Army Has Left the Planet’

2018-07-12

Story and photo by Anne Erickson

Exclusive – Lawrence Gowan of Styx remembers Vinnie Paul as someone who made an impact with his music

Vinnie Paul was known for drumming in hard-hitting metal bands such as Pantera, Damageplan and Hellyeah, but his music touched musicians in every genre. Paul passed away late last month, and musicians are still letting it sink in what a great loss it is to the music world.

Styx vocalist and keyboard player Lawrence Gowan has great respect for Paul and the music of Pantera, which defined a generation of heavy metal music. Speaking with Anne Erickson with Audio Ink Radio in a new interview, Gowan explained that he felt Paul meant a great deal much to people in the metal world and music, in general.

“Pantera, they defy categorization, but I’ll loosely I’ll put them in the metal category, so I know how much they meant to that faction of music fans,” Gowan said in our exclusive interview. “But also the extreme way they attacked their music was really visceral and entertaining. I feel so bad that he had to witness and live through with the horror of what happened to his brother (Dimebag), so my heart goes out to him for that, but also, what a great, entertaining band Pantera was and what an integral part of it Vinnie Paul was.

“So, yes, another legendary soldier in the rock army has left the planet,” he added, “but it’s great he made such an impact with his music and to all the people who love Pantera.”

The guys of Styx are currently on a blockbuster summer tour with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and Tesla. Find their full itinerary on the official Styx website.

Listen to Audio Ink Radio’s full interview with Lawrence Gowan of Styx via YouTube below.

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Anne Erickson

Meet the expert - Author, writer and editor Anne Erickson is a Detroit-based reporter and radio host. She has written for the USA Today Network, Consequence.net, Blabbermouth.net, and many more. Anne holds a master's degree from Michigan State University. Contact Anne at anne@audioinkradio.com.