FORMER Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di’anno has died. He was 66.
The loss of Di’anno was announced by his record company Conquest Music, who said he had died at his home in Salisbury, England after suffering a number of health issues. No cause of death was announced.
Although Di’anno, born Paul Andrews in Chingford, East London on May 17, 1958 performed on Iron Maiden’s first two albums he was not their first singer, he actually joined three years after the band was formed.
He was fired in 1981 when his drug and alcohol abuse was judged to be harming Iron Maiden’s burgeoning career.
Di’anno – who held dual British and Brazilian citizenship – most recently launched the band Warhorse. He had been restricted to playing in a wheelchair and had launched a crowdfunder to pay for knee surgery.
Iron Maiden issued the following statement: “We are all deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Paul Di’Anno earlier today.
“Paul’s contribution to Iron Maiden was immense and helped set us on the path we have been travelling as a band 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 not just by us, but by fans around the world.”
The statement then quoted band founder Steve Harris as saying: “It’s just so sad he’s gone. 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.”
The band then added: “We were very grateful to have had the chance to catch up a couple of years ago and to spend time with him once more. On behalf of the band, (managers) Rod and Andy, and the whole Iron Maiden team, we extend our deepest sympathies to Paul’s family and close friends. Rest In Peace Paul.”
Image: Wikipedia/Metal121 (Martin M. Morgan) – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=134264338
