In a recent interview, the iconic heavy metal vocalist Paul Di’Anno, best known for his early work with Iron Maiden, passed away at the age of 66. His label, Conquest Music, confirmed that he died at home in Salisbury. Despite facing significant health challenges in recent years that limited him to performing in a wheelchair, Di’Anno continued to entertain fans, having completed over 100 shows worldwide since 2023.
Born Paul Andrews in Chingford, east London, Di’Anno joined Iron Maiden after auditioning in November 1978, a band created by bassist Steve Harris three years earlier. Reflecting on his initial impressions of the group, he stated, “Their old singer had this silly sword and fake blood dripping from his mouth, and my friend and I were laughing uncontrollably. But once we started playing together, it all just clicked.” He also reminisced about the contrast between himself and the other band members: “They were lovely young guys you could introduce to your grandmother. She would have adored them, while I would have left her in shock!”
With his raw, powerful voice, Di’Anno fronted Iron Maiden’s 1980 self-titled debut album, which peaked at No. 4 in the UK charts, as well as the 1981 follow-up, “Killers.” However, he later admitted to struggles with substance abuse, saying, “It wasn’t just a little cocaine; I was on a nonstop binge, day after day. I couldn’t see a way out.” Additionally, he acknowledged conflicts with Harris that ultimately led to his departure after the “Killers” world tour, with Bruce Dickinson taking over as the frontman afterward.
Iron Maiden expressed their condolences, stating, “Paul’s contribution to Iron Maiden was immense and helped set us on the path we have been traveling as a band for nearly five decades. His pioneering presence as a vocalist will be warmly remembered not only by us but by fans around the globe.”
Following his time with Iron Maiden, Di’Anno pursued his own musical projects, initially launching a self-titled band, then forming the supergroup Gogmagog, which included former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr. He found more success with his band Battlezone, releasing two albums in the mid-1980s, and later worked with Praying Mantis and another band, Killers, also releasing two studio albums.
Despite his musical achievements, Di’Anno faced personal turmoil, including a prison sentence in the early 1990s for an incident involving domestic violence. He later expressed remorse for his past actions, stating, “My biggest regrets are those domestic violence incidents… but jail ultimately led me to start turning my life around.” He dealt with further legal issues related to drugs and firearms and was banned from touring in the U.S. for several years. Health issues also plagued him, including knee injuries and a serious illness that required eight months in the hospital due to sepsis in 2015. Yet, his passion for music remained unwavering. Earlier this year, he announced his retirement from touring smaller venues but expressed eagerness to perform at festivals in 2025.
