Former Iron Maiden Lead Singer, Paul Di’Anno, Passes Away at Age 66
Former Iron Maiden frontman, Paul Di’Anno, has tragically passed away at the age of 66. The iconic heavy metal singer, who hailed from Chingford, served as the lead vocalist for Iron Maiden from 1978 to 1981 and featured on their first two albums.
Di’Anno’s record label, Conquest Music, confirmed the news of his passing on Monday. The label expressed pride in having had Di’Anno in their artist family and called on his legion of fans to raise a glass in his memory. The singer passed away at his home in Salisbury, Wiltshire, though no cause of death was disclosed.
Born Paul Andrews in 1958, Di’Anno grew up in East London and juggled jobs as a butcher and chef while pursuing his passion for heavy metal music. He was recruited by Iron Maiden founder Steve Harris in 1978 after a chance encounter at a pub in Leytonstone.
Di’Anno’s distinctive vocals were showcased on Iron Maiden’s debut album in 1980 and their follow-up, “Killers,” released in 1981. However, as the band’s success grew and they embarked on international tours, concerns arose about Di’Anno’s ability to cope with the demands of the lifestyle, given his struggles with substance abuse.
Following his departure from Iron Maiden in 1981, Di’Anno went on to front several bands, including Di’Anno, Gogmagog, Battlezone, Praying Mantis, and Killers. Despite facing significant health issues in recent years that confined him to a wheelchair, Di’Anno remained dedicated to performing for his fans worldwide, even completing over 100 shows since 2023.
In September 2024, his career retrospective album, “The Book of The Beast,” was released, featuring highlights from his post-Iron Maiden recordings. Di’Anno, a father of six who was married five times, received support from fans in 2021 for knee surgery following a period of declining health.
The music world mourns the loss of a true pioneer, whose contributions to heavy metal will be remembered and cherished by generations of fans.