Nine Questions

Vinnie Paul

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Vinnie Paul is the legendary drummer of one of heavy metal's finest bands, Pantera. Also known for his efforts in Damageplan, Vinnie now hammers the skins in the Hellyeah, featuring members from Mudvayne and Nothingface. Hellyeah is set to destroy the Rialto Theatre on Wednesday, Feb. 27, along with Nonpoint and Bury Your Dead. For ticket information, visit the Rialto Web site.

What was the first concert you ever saw?

Boston with Sammy Hagar in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1978; I knew I would be involved in rock 'n' roll.

What CDs are in your changer right now?

A wide, wide variety: Kiss, Judas Priest, Van Halen, Dokken unplugged, Cheap Trick's Greatest Hits when I'm flying. I love the new Foo Fighters.

How many total albums do you own (CDs, vinyl, cassettes, 8-tracks)?

I don't even own one (album). They were all at my mom's, and they got stolen. Everything is in the digital domain for me.

Do you download music, and if so, legally or illegally?

I never download anything. Music is (our) art--it's simple economics. I feel funny when I load music onto my iPod.

What was the first album you owned?

Kiss, Alive II. The drum solo on "God of Thunder" made me want to play drums.

What song would you like to have played at your funeral?

"Rock and Roll All Nite" by Kiss.

Musically speaking, what do you love that your friends don't know about? What's your favorite guilty pleasure?

I love chill music like Enigma.

What band or artist changed your life, and how?

Kiss was the first band that made me want to play, and Van Halen for me and Dime (deceased brother Darrell "Dimebag" Paul), because they were two brothers who played music together.

Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?

Highway to Hell, AC/DC.