Paul Di’Anno, the original lead singer of the legendary heavy metal band Iron Maiden, has passed away at the age of 66.
Born Paul Andrews in 1958, Di’Anno was an influential figure in the heavy metal scene, having performed on Iron Maiden’s first two albums, Iron Maiden and Killers.
His work helped solidify the band as a key force in the new wave of British heavy metal.
Di’Anno left the band in 1981, replaced by Bruce Dickinson.
In later interviews, Di’Anno admitted that his lifestyle of “non-stop partying” had taken a toll, stating, “It wasn’t fair to the band, the fans, or to myself.”
Members of Iron Maiden expressed their sorrow over his passing.
Bassist Steve Harris shared his sadness on social media, saying, “It’s just so sad he’s gone. At least he was still gigging until recently, which kept him going. He will be missed by us all. Rest in peace, mate.”
The band’s official statement praised Di’Anno’s contributions, noting, “Paul’s pioneering presence as a frontman on our first two albums helped set the path we’ve followed for nearly five decades.”
The news of Di’Anno’s death was confirmed by his record label, Conquest Music, who revealed he had died at his home in Salisbury.
No cause of death was disclosed.
Conquest Music stated, “We are proud to have had Paul Di’Anno in our artist family and ask fans to raise a glass in his memory.”
Di’Anno, born in Chingford, east London, began his musical career as a teenager, while working as a butcher and chef.
In 1977, he met Harris, who was seeking a lead vocalist for Iron Maiden. Di’Anno auditioned and was hired, despite the band’s struggles to secure gigs during the height of punk rock’s popularity.
They eventually recorded a demo, The Soundhouse Tapes, which gained a cult following and sold 5,000 copies by mail order.
This success led to a record deal with EMI, and in 1980, their self-titled debut album entered the UK charts at number four.
The band’s follow-up album, Killers (1981), introduced an even harder sound.
However, after a world tour, Di’Anno parted ways with Iron Maiden, either by choice or dismissal.
Reflecting on this period, Di’Anno admitted that success had pushed him into a darker space.
“I was already a fairly excessive character, but there I really went for it,” he told Rock Hard magazine in 2004.
Although Iron Maiden went on to international fame with Dickinson as their frontman, Di’Anno held no grudges, stating in interviews that rumors of animosity were unfounded.
He also addressed speculation about his earnings from the band, asserting that he had been “paid very well.”
After his time with Iron Maiden, Di’Anno remained active in the music industry, both as a solo artist and with other bands such as Gogmagog, Battlezone, Praying Mantis, and Killers.
His raw, powerful vocals influenced metal acts like Metallica, Pantera, and Sepultura.
In recent years, Di’Anno faced significant health challenges, including lymphedema, which required him to perform in a wheelchair.
Despite these struggles, he maintained a vigorous touring schedule, performing over 100 shows in 2023 and 2024.
Fans rallied around him, helping to fund his knee surgery in Croatia in 2022.
Last month, Di’Anno released The Book of the Beast, a career retrospective album featuring highlights from his solo career and reworked versions of Iron Maiden classics such as Tomorrow and Wrathchild.
A documentary about his life is also scheduled for release at the end of the year, adding another chapter to the legacy of a heavy metal icon.
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