Original Iron Maiden singer Paul D'Anno dies, aged 66

Paul Di'Anno, the first vocalist of the heavy metal group Iron Maiden, has passed away at the age of 66.

Originally named Paul Andrews, the artist who played a key role in the band's first two albums, Iron Maiden and Killers, helped to define their significance in the emergence of the new wave of British heavy metal.

In 1981, he departed from the band and was succeeded by Bruce Dickinson. Di'Anno eventually acknowledged that he had been living a lifestyle full of constant partying and recognized that this way of life was unfair to the band, their supporters, and himself.

The current members of the band expressed their sorrow, stating that they were "all profoundly affected" by his passing.

In a post on social media, bassist Steve Harris expressed his sorrow, saying it was "really heartbreaking that he's no longer here."

"He continued performing up until recently, which was something that kept his spirit alive; he loved being out there whenever possible. We'll all miss him dearly. Rest in peace, my friend."

The band continued by saying, "Paul played a huge role in Iron Maiden's success and was instrumental in shaping the direction we've taken as a group for nearly fifty years."

"He will be greatly missed as a leading figure and singer, both during performances and in our first two albums. His impact will be cherished not only by us but also by fans globally."

The record label Conquest Music shared the news of Di'Anno's passing on behalf of his family.

In a public announcement, it was reported that Di'Anno had "died at his residence in Salisbury." No details regarding the cause of death were provided.

"Conquest Music is honored to have had Paul Di'Anno in our roster of artists, and we encourage his many fans to lift a glass in his remembrance," they stated.

Di'Anno was born in 1958 in Chingford, a suburb in East London. During his teenage years, he performed with various bands while also holding jobs as a butcher and a chef.

In 1977, he met Harris, who was looking for a vocalist for his new metal band called Iron Maiden. Di'Anno tried out for the position and was hired.

Their style was quite different from the typical punk rock sound that was popular at the time, making it difficult for them to find performances beyond London. To tackle this challenge, they opted to create a demo tape to attract more attention and opportunities.

Referred to as the Soundhouse Tapes, this three-song demo helped them build a dedicated fanbase, with 5,000 copies sold through mail orders.

By 1979, they had signed a contract with EMI and began working on their first album, which was named after the band.

Even though it was created quickly, the album had a significant impact. Its blend of punk energy and rock guitar riffs laid the groundwork for heavy metal in the 1980s.

In April 1980, it debuted at number four on the UK album chart, and the popularity of the single "Running Free" secured the band a coveted appearance on the music television program "Top of the Pops."

The next album, *Killers*, released in 1981, featured a more aggressive sound once again. However, following a global tour, Di'Anno was either removed from the band or chose to leave on his own.

In any case, he mentioned that achieving success had brought him to a troubling point in his life.

"I was already quite a flamboyant person, but I really took it to another level," he shared with Rock Hard magazine in 2004.

"I felt completely out of this world, just like the rest of the band."

After Dickinson joined the band, Iron Maiden became one of the most successful groups in rock music, producing iconic songs such as "Run To The Hills" and "Can I Play With Madness."

However, Di'Anno never bore any resentment towards the band or his successor.

"People believe that we couldn't stand each other, but that's not true at all," he shared with SDTV during an interview last month. "That's just how the media portrays things."

He also dismissed the speculation that he had not received fair compensation for his work on the first two Iron Maiden albums, where he was credited as a co-writer on important songs such as Remember Tomorrow, Killers, Sanctuary, and Running Free.

"Honestly, it’s really not anyone’s concern, but I received a great paycheck," he shared with Rock Hard in 2022.

"They took care of me, plain and simple."

After departing from Iron Maiden, Di’Anno's powerful and intense singing style was recognized as an inspiration by several metal bands such as Metallica, Pantera, and Sepultura.

He continued his music career, working as a solo performer and as part of groups such as Gogmagog, Battlezone, Praying Mantis, and Killers.

In the past few years, he has been appearing on stage in a wheelchair because of significant health problems, one of which is lymphedema, a condition that leads to swelling in body tissues. In 2022, his supporters came together to help him raise funds for important knee surgery in Croatia.

Nevertheless, he maintained a busy tour calendar, performing over 100 concerts in 2023 and 2024.

Last month, a compilation album titled The Book of the Beast was launched, showcasing key moments from his solo career along with two revamped versions of Iron Maiden tracks, "Tomorrow" and "Wrathchild."

A film documenting his life is set to come out by the end of the year.