Former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno has died aged 66.
The news was confirmed earlier today (October 21) in a statement by Di’Anno’s record label Conquest Music, in which they reflected on his career and asked “his legion of fans to raise a glass in his memory”.
Di’Anno joined the iconic metal band as their vocalist in 1978 after being introduced to them through drummer Doug Sampson, and worked on their seminal early albums ‘Iron Maiden’ and ‘Killers’.
Following his departure from the band in 1981, he released music himself and was involved with various bands including Gogmagog, Battlezone, Praying Mantis, and Killers. He continued touring despite struggling with ongoing severe health issues in later life.
Earlier this year, he reflected on his work Iron Maiden with The Metal Voice and said “nobody sounded like us, and it’s great”. Now, several figures from the heavy music world like Slash, Anthrax and Exodus have paid tribute to his iconic vocals and work on their first two albums.
Former Iron Maiden vocalist Blaze Bayley reflected on the tours they embarked on together, saying “his voice & his music with Iron Maiden & his own projects will live on”, while Michael Paulsen of Danish metal outfit Volbeat recalled his “amazingly unique punkish voice” and said “a legend has said goodbye but what he left behind will live on forever”.
Check out more tributes below:
Monday 21st October 2024
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… pic.twitter.com/pqskpLPBwc
— Iron Maiden (@IronMaiden) October 21, 2024
Iron Maiden wrote on on X/Twitter 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 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.”
They concluded by noting they were “grateful to have had the chance to catch up a couple of years ago” and extended their deepest sympathies to Paul’s family and close friends.
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