Paul Di’Anno, the original vocalist for legendary British metal band Iron Maiden, has passed away at the age of 66. His family confirmed the news, mentioning that he had been suffering from serious health complications in recent years, although no specific cause of death was disclosed.
Born Paul Andrews in England in 1958, Di’Anno was invited by Iron Maiden’s founder, Steve Harris, to audition for the band in the late 1970s. Reflecting on that pivotal moment, Di’Anno noted the immense potential he saw in Iron Maiden, realizing that with the right lineup, they could achieve international success. He expressed confidence in his suitability for the band’s unique sound, stating, “I more or less realized that my voice fitted Metal perfectly.”
Di’Anno, along with bandmates Harris, guitarist Dave Murray, and drummer Clive Burr, released Iron Maiden’s debut studio album in April 1980. He contributed to one additional album, 1981’s Killers, before being succeeded by Bruce Dickinson, who continues to front the band.
Following his departure from Iron Maiden, Di’Anno was active in various musical projects, including his own band Di’Anno, as well as Gogmagog, Battlezone, and Killers. He also pursued a solo career and collaborated frequently with former bandmate Dennis Stratton. In 2010, Di’Anno published his memoir, The Beast.
The Iron Maiden community is mourning the loss of Paul Di’Anno, with the band issuing a heartfelt statement: “Paul’s contribution to Iron Maiden was immense and helped set us on the path we have been traveling for almost five decades. His pioneering presence as a frontman and vocalist, both on stage and on our first two albums, will be very fondly remembered by fans around the world.”
