Paul Di’Anno, the former frontman for Iron Maiden has died. He was only 66 years old.
In a formal statement from the singer’s record label, Conquest Music confirmed that the musician passed away at his home in Salisbury:
“Despite being troubled by severe health issues in recent years that restricted him to performing in a wheelchair, Paul continued to entertain his fans around the world, racking up well over 100 shows since 2023.” “Conquest Music are proud to have had Paul Di’Anno in our artist family and ask his legion of fans to raise a glass in his memory.”
The current iteration of Iron Maiden released the following statement “Paul’s contribution to Iron Maiden was immense and helped set us on the path we have been traveling as a band for almost five decades.”
In a separate tribute, Iron Maiden bass player, Steve Harris, wrote “it was just so sad he’s gone.” “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.”
Paul was the singer on Iron Maiden and Killers, the band’s first two LPs, subsequent to which he left the band (in 1981) and was replaced by Bruce Dickinson.
About his departure from the iconic rock band, Di’Anno later admitted that he’d been partying “non-stop, 24 hours a day” saying “it wasn’t just that I was snorting a bit of coke…I was just going for it non-stop, 24 hours a day, every day” which he said “wasn’t fair to the band, the fans or to myself”.
In recent years Paul sustained a knee injury from an on-stage accident and had been using a wheelchair, including during on-stage solo performances.
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Author: Al Denté
Photo: As fotos da Virada!