Paul Di’Anno, the original lead singer of the iconic heavy metal band Iron Maiden, has passed away at the age of 66. Di’Anno, born Paul Andrews, played a pivotal role in defining the band’s sound on their first two albums, “Iron Maiden” and “Killers,” which were instrumental in establishing the new wave of British heavy metal. He departed from the band in 1981, being succeeded by Bruce Dickinson. Reflecting on his time with Iron Maiden, Di’Anno acknowledged that his lifestyle choices had negatively affected his tenure with the band.
Members of Iron Maiden expressed their sorrow over Di’Anno’s death, stating in a social media post that they were “all deeply saddened.” Bassist Steve Harris commented on the loss, noting it was “just so sad he’s gone” and highlighted Di’Anno’s recent performances as a source of fulfillment for him. The band’s collective remembrance of Di’Anno recognized his immense contributions, stating, “His pioneering presence as a frontman and vocalist, both on stage and on our first two albums, will be very fondly remembered.”
Di’Anno’s death was confirmed by his record label, Conquest Music, which announced he had “passed away at his home in Salisbury.” The family did not disclose the cause of death. Conquest Music encouraged fans to celebrate Di’Anno’s legacy and asked them to raise a glass in his honor.
Originally from Chingford, east London, Di’Anno began his musical journey in various bands while working as a butcher and chef. His chance meeting with Harris in 1977 led to his audition for Iron Maiden, which helped the band carve out a niche during the height of the punk rock era. Facing challenges in securing gigs, they recorded the “Soundhouse Tapes,” which garnered a loyal following and eventually led to a record deal with EMI in 1979. Their debut album was rushed but left a lasting impact on the heavy metal genre, peaking at number four in the UK album charts in April 1980.
Following the success of their second album “Killers,” Di’Anno’s time with Iron Maiden drew to a close after a world tour. In the years since, he reflected on how fame affected him, admitting that he struggled with the pressures of success but maintained a lack of animosity toward the band or Dickinson. He disputed claims of being underpaid for his contributions to Iron Maiden and emphasized that his financial dealings with the band were fair.
Di’Anno remained active in the music scene, performing and releasing new music as recently as this summer.