Paul Di’Anno, Legendary Iron Maiden Vocalist, Passes Away at 66

Paul Di’Anno, famous for his role as Iron Maiden's frontman in the late 1970s and early 1980s, has died at the age of 66. Di’Anno contributed significantly to the band's early success but later pursued a solo career and faced health challenges in recent years.

Paul Di’Anno, an influential figure in the heavy metal scene and the original lead singer of Iron Maiden, has passed away at the age of 66 at his home in Salisbury, England. His death was confirmed in a statement released by Conquest Music, the label that represented him, with no further details provided.

Born Paul Andrews on May 17, 1958, in Chingford, East London, Di’Anno's rise to fame began when he joined Iron Maiden in 1978, leading the band until 1981. During his tenure, the group saw the release of their self-titled debut album “Iron Maiden” in 1980, followed by “Killers” in early 1981. After his departure, he continued to make music with bands like Battlezone and Killers while embarking on a solo career.

In a recent interview, Di’Anno reflected on his exit from Iron Maiden, expressing no resentment towards the band for replacing him with Bruce Dickinson, who would later lead the group to commercial success. He acknowledged that his personal circumstances were impacting his contribution to the band, stating, “In the end I couldn’t give 100 percent to Maiden anymore, and it wasn’t fair to the band, the fans or to myself.”

Di’Anno also discussed his chaotic lifestyle in his autobiography, “The Beast,” published in 2010, admitting to a penchant for partying that may have raised concerns among bandmates. Despite ongoing health struggles in recent years, he remained active in music, performing over 100 shows in a wheelchair in 2023.

His journey to music began in his youth, where he fondly recounted his experience of skipping school to witness AC/DC in their early days. Although his initial encounter with Iron Maiden was underwhelming, he quickly became part of the band's creative process and believed in their potential for greatness.

A list of Di’Anno's survivors has not been released, highlighting the loss of a significant chapter in rock history as fans mourn the legacy of a true pioneer in heavy metal.