DADADEL
Paul Di’Anno, the original frontman of the iconic heavy metal band Iron Maiden, has passed away at the age of 66.
Born as Paul Andrews, Di’Anno became a key figure in the band’s early success, contributing to their first two albums, Iron Maiden and Killers. His powerful vocals helped cement their place in the new wave of British heavy metal.
Di’Anno departed from the band in 1981, later revealing that his excessive partying took a toll on both himself and the group. He acknowledged that his lifestyle was “unfair to the band, the fans, and myself.”
Iron Maiden’s current lineup expressed their sorrow, with band members stating they were “deeply saddened” by his passing. Bassist Steve Harris shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, lamenting the loss. “It’s just so sad he’s gone,” Harris wrote. “He was still performing up until recently, which kept him going. He will be missed by all of us. Rest in peace, mate.”
The band credited Di’Anno’s significant impact on their early success, noting his influence as a frontman and vocalist, both on stage and on their first albums. His legacy is fondly remembered by fans and musicians around the world.
Di’Anno’s passing was confirmed by his record label, Conquest Music, on behalf of his family. The label announced he had “passed away at his home in Salisbury,” though no cause of death was disclosed.
In their statement, Conquest Music expressed pride in having Paul Di’Anno as part of their artist family and encouraged his fans to honor his memory.
Born in Chingford, east London, in 1958, Di’Anno began his music career as a teenager, juggling his passion for singing with jobs as a butcher and chef. In 1977, he crossed paths with Steve Harris, who was looking for a lead singer for his fledgling band, Iron Maiden. Di’Anno auditioned and earned his place in the band.
Iron Maiden’s early sound, a mix of punk and metal, stood out during the height of punk rock. They struggled to book gigs outside of London, which led them to record a demo tape to boost their visibility.
The demo, The Soundhouse Tapes, became a cult favorite, selling 5,000 copies through mail order.
By 1979, Iron Maiden had secured a deal with EMI, leading to the recording of their debut album, Iron Maiden. Despite being rushed, the album’s blend of punk energy and heavy metal riffs proved groundbreaking.
Their debut reached number four on the UK charts in April 1980, and the success of the single “Running Free” landed them a spot on the TV show Top of the Pops.
Their second album, Killers (1981), took their sound in an even heavier direction. After touring the world, Di’Anno parted ways with the band, though the circumstances were unclear—whether he left or was fired. He admitted that fame had pushed him into a dark period.
“I was already living excessively, but with the band, I took it further,” Paul Di’Anno revealed in a 2004 interview with Rock Hard magazine.
After Di’Anno’s exit, Bruce Dickinson took over as Iron Maiden’s lead singer, propelling the band to greater heights with hits like “Run to the Hills” and “Can I Play With Madness.”
Despite the split, Di’Anno held no ill will toward the band or his successor.
“People think we hated each other, which is totally false,” he told SDTV in an interview last month. “That’s just the media’s spin.”
Di’Anno also dismissed rumors that he had been underpaid for his contributions to Iron Maiden’s first two albums, clarifying in 2022 that he had been compensated well.
After his departure, Di’Anno’s gritty vocals continued to inspire bands like Metallica, Pantera, and Sepultura. He pursued a solo career and performed with several bands, including Gogmagog, Battlezone, Praying Mantis, and Killers.
In recent years, Paul Di’Anno performed from a wheelchair due to lymphedema, a condition that causes tissue swelling. Fans raised funds for his knee surgery in 2022, allowing him to continue performing.
Remarkably, he performed over 100 shows in 2023 and 2024 despite his health challenges.
A compilation album, The Book of the Beast, was released last month, featuring highlights from his solo career and reworked versions of Iron Maiden classics “Tomorrow” and “Wrathchild.”
A documentary chronicling his life is set to be released by the end of this year.
