Iron Maiden bids farewell to Paul Di'Anno, the band's first frontman
The metal community is mourning a monumental loss with the passing of Paul Di'Anno, the first vocalist of Iron Maiden. Paul, who was born Paul Andrews on May 17, 1958, in Chingford, East London, passed away at the age of 66 at his home in Salisbury on October 21, 2024. His voice was a defining element in the early years of Iron Maiden, contributing to their rise as a legendary band in the heavy metal scene.
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Di'Anno joined Iron Maiden in 1978, three years after the band's formation by bassist Steve Harris. He provided vocals on their groundbreaking 1980 self-titled debut album, Iron Maiden , and their influential follow-up, Killers (1981). His raw, bluesy vocal style gave a distinct edge to the band's early sound and set the stage for their future success. However, his tenure with the band was short-lived, and he parted ways with Iron Maiden in 1981, primarily due to struggles with drug and alcohol abuse.
After his departure, Di'Anno embarked on a diverse and prolific solo career. He collaborated with various bands like Battlezone, Killers, and Gogmagog, further establishing himself as a notable figure in the metal world. Despite facing severe health issues in recent years, including performing from a wheelchair, Di'Anno’s dedication to his fans remained unwavering. He continued to tour and perform live, even doing more than 100 shows since 2023.
In September 2024, Paul released The Book of the Beast , a career retrospective album highlighting key moments from his post-Iron Maiden career. He also ventured into a new project called Warhorse, recording an album in Croatia in 2022 alongside musicians Hrvoje Madiraca and Ante Pupačić. The resulting LP was released in July 2024 under the name Paul Di'Anno’s Warhorse .
His passing has been met with heartfelt tributes from fans and band members alike. Iron Maiden acknowledged his pioneering contributions on social media, stating, "Paul helped set us on the path we've been following for nearly five decades. His presence and performances on our first two albums will always be fondly remembered by us and fans around the world." Steve Harris, Iron Maiden’s founding bassist, added his own personal note, recalling their recent exchanges and expressing deep sadness at the loss.
Paul Di'Anno’s legacy, both as Iron Maiden's original frontman and a persistent force in the metal world, will undoubtedly live on through his music and the impact he left on countless fans. Rest in peace, Paul Di'Anno.
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