Paul Di’Anno, the original lead singer of Iron Maiden, passed away on Monday at the age of 66. His family and record label, Conquest Music, confirmed his death in a statement posted on his official Facebook page, though the cause has not been disclosed. Di’Anno had been dealing with significant health issues for several years, including a weakened immune system resulting from sepsis nine years ago. Following knee surgery in 2022, he had performed over 100 shows in a wheelchair.
Conquest Music expressed their pride in having Di’Anno as part of their artist family, urging fans to commemorate him by raising a glass in his honor. Iron Maiden also released a statement expressing their deep sorrow at his passing, highlighting the immense contribution Di’Anno made to the band during its early years. They recognized his pioneering role as a frontman and vocalist, particularly on the band’s first two albums.
The band shared a nostalgic photo of Di’Anno and bassist Steve Harris taken during the Legacy of the Beast world tour in May 2022. Harris reflected on recent conversations with Di’Anno regarding their favorite soccer team, West Ham United, and expressed sadness over his departure. He acknowledged that, despite his health challenges, Di’Anno remained active in music, which helped him cope.
Born Paul Andrews in Chingford, East London, on May 17, 1958, Di’Anno gained fame with Iron Maiden from 1978 to 1981, recording the band’s self-titled debut and the following album, “Killers,” before being replaced by Bruce Dickinson. After leaving Iron Maiden, he led other bands including Killers, Battlezone, and Warhorse.
In September, Di’Anno released “The Book of the Beast,” featuring his favorite tracks recorded after his time with Iron Maiden, collaborating with artists like Tony Martin from Black Sabbath. He had recently planned to perform at select festivals and shows in venues accessible to wheelchairs. Di’Anno had also expressed gratitude to Iron Maiden for assisting with his medical expenses during his recent treatment.