Former Iron Maiden frontman Paul Di’Anno dies, aged 66
The singer’s record label, Conquest Music, confirmed that he died 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,” the statement read.
The current Iron Maiden band also released a statement, saying, “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.”
Iron Maiden bass player, Steve Harris, said in a separate tribute, that “it was just so sad he’s gone,” adding that “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 the band’s first two albums, Iron Maiden and Killers. He left the band in 1981 and was replaced by Bruce Dickinson. Di’Anno went on to admit 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 he sustained a knee injury from an on-stage accident and had been using a wheelchair, including during on-stage solo performances.
His record label concluded their statement by saying, “”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.”
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Author: Al Denté
Photo: As fotos da Virada!