Pantera Drummer ‘Floored’ by Christina Grimmie Murder
Pantera‘s Vinnie Paul, whose former bandmate “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott was killed onstage by a crazed fan in 2004, discussed the murder of Christina Grimmie in a new interview. “It just floored me, man,” Paul told KBAT (via Team Rock).
“I never thought it would happen again. And that’s really almost the same scenario that happened to my brother,” Paul said. “It’s just unbelievable that there’s still people that are that fanatical and that crazy out there in today’s world that we don’t have enough security to keep that from happening.”
Following Grimmie’s death on June 11th, Pantera called for better artist protection in a statement posted on Facebook. In December 2004, Abbott and three others were shot and killed onstage by a deranged fan during Damageplan’s concert in Columbus, Ohio. Grimmie was similarly murdered during an Orlando meet-and-greet session by an obsessed fan.
“We are so sad and disappointed to hear that Christina Grimmie was gunned down the same way that Dimebag Darrell was,” the note read. “After Dime’s murder, we all prayed that our industry (i.e. club owners & promoters) would do whatever they needed to do to protect artists from gun wielding fanatics. Sadly, that’s not the case and another rising star had to pay the consequences with her life. SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE!”
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Foo Fighters tour manager Gus Brandt revealed that he’s demanding venues beef up security measures and employ more officers at each show as part of an artist’s pre-negotiated security riders.
“I’m doing that across the board with everybody I work with — Pharrell, the Foos. No one wants to die on tour. And no one wants anyone to die for going out to have fun,” Brant said. “It needs to be industry-wide. Everyone needs to take stock. This is not directed to any particular venue, but some of your security that’s guarding your kids, and my artists and my crew, their sole training for security sometimes is putting on a T-shirt that says ‘security.’ The concert industry needs to react and adjust and come up with a plan.”
Paul added in his radio interview, “It’s a dangerous world, man. You’ve got to keep your eyes and ears peeled and be on the alert all the time.”
Christina Grimmie’s ‘Voice’ roommate Kat Perkins has released an uplifting tribute to the late singer. Watch here.