Former Iron Maiden singer and heavy metal rocker Paul Di’Anno has died aged 66.
The news was confirmed in a statement by Di’Anno’s record label Conquest Music, in which they asked “his legion of fans to raise a glass in his memory”.
Di’Anno joined the iconic British band as their vocalist in 1978 and worked on their early albums ‘Iron Maiden’ and ‘Killers’.
He was dismissed from the band in 1981 due to his erratic behaviour and drug use. He was replaced by Bruce Dickinson, the group’s current singer, but continued to make guest appearances.
Di’Anno went on to release music himself and performed with various bands including Battlezone, Praying Mantis, and Killers.
He continued touring despite struggling with ongoing severe health issues in later life – including lymphedema, a condition that causes swelling of your body tissue.
Iron Maiden wrote on on X that Di’Anno’s contributions to their early sound “helped set us on the path we have been travelling as a band for almost five decades,” and added that his “pioneering presence” would be “fondly remembered not just by us, but by fans around the world.”
“It’s just so sad he’s gone,” Steve Harris, bass player and founder of Iron Maiden, continued in the post. “I was in touch with him only recently as we texted each other about West Ham and their ups and downs. At least he was still gigging until recently, it was something that kept him going, to be out there whenever he could. He will be missed by us all. Rest in peace mate.”
Several figures from the heavy music world like Slash and Anthrax have paid tribute to the artist and his work.
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