Paul Di'Anno, the original lead singer for the iconic heavy metal band Iron Maiden, has passed away at the age of 66.
Born Paul Andrews, Di'Anno contributed to the band’s first two albums, Iron Maiden and Killers, helping establish them as pioneers in the new wave of British heavy metal. He left the band in 1981, later admitting that his hard-partying lifestyle took a toll on both himself and the band.
Iron Maiden members expressed their grief, with bassist Steve Harris stating, "It’s just so sad he’s gone," adding that Di’Anno’s passion for performing kept him going even in his final years. The band acknowledged Di'Anno's vital role in shaping their early success, calling his presence as a frontman "immense."
Di'Anno's death was confirmed by record label Conquest Music, which released a statement on behalf of his family, revealing that he passed away at his home in Salisbury. The cause of death was not disclosed. The label paid tribute to Di'Anno's legacy and asked fans to honor him by raising a glass in his memory.
Originally from Chingford, east London, Di'Anno pursued music as a teenager while working as a butcher and a chef. He joined Iron Maiden in 1977 after meeting bassist Steve Harris, who was seeking a vocalist for the band. Despite the rise of punk rock at the time, the band’s unique sound, which blended punk energy with rock riffs, quickly gained a following. Their early demo tape, The Soundhouse Tapes, sold 5,000 copies by mail order, and by 1979, they had signed with EMI and released their debut album.
Iron Maiden’s self-titled album became a groundbreaking release in heavy metal, charting at number four in the UK. Their second album, Killers, followed in 1981 with a harder, more aggressive sound. After a world tour, Di’Anno parted ways with the band. While there were various accounts of his departure, Di'Anno admitted that his excessive lifestyle had caught up with him.
Despite Iron Maiden's continued success with Bruce Dickinson as their frontman, Di’Anno remained supportive of the band. In interviews, he denied any bad blood between himself and his former bandmates, and praised the care he received from them for his contributions to their early albums.
Following his time with Iron Maiden, Di’Anno continued his career in music, fronting several bands and embarking on a solo career. He was cited as a key influence by metal legends such as Metallica and Pantera. Health problems in recent years saw him performing in a wheelchair, but that didn’t stop him from completing over 100 shows in 2023 and 2024. A career-spanning album, The Book of the Beast, was recently released, and a documentary about his life is set to come out later this year.
Di'Anno’s influence on the heavy metal genre is undeniable, and he will be remembered for his raw, intense vocals and the lasting mark he left on Iron Maiden’s legacy.
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