Paul Di’Anno, the original lead vocalist of Iron Maiden, has died at age 66. Born Paul Andrews on May 17, 1958, in Chingford, East London, Di’Anno passed away at his home in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. He was the frontman of Iron Maiden from 1978 to 1981 and appeared on two legendary albums: Iron Maiden (1980) and Killers (1981). He was later replaced by Bruce Dickinson.
In a statement from his family and Conquest Music, they announced: “On behalf of his family, Conquest Music regret to confirm the passing of Paul Andrews, professionally known as Paul Di’Anno. Paul passed away peacefully at home.”
After leaving Iron Maiden in 1981, Di’Anno continued his music career, performing with bands such as Battlezone and Killers. Despite facing severe health challenges in recent years that left him wheelchair-bound, Di’Anno still completed over 100 live shows since 2023. His post-Iron Maiden career was highlighted in the retrospective album The Book of the Beast, released in September 2024.
Paul Di’Anno’s departure from Iron Maiden in 1981 was fueled by a cocaine addiction. He once shared, “It wasn’t just that I was snorting a bit of coke; I was going for it non-stop 24 hours a day every day.”
Di’Anno was married five times and leaves behind six children. His legacy continues to resonate as Iron Maiden remains a force in the heavy metal world. The band, which now features Bruce Dickinson, Steve Harris, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Nicko McBrain, and Janick Gers, recently announced a 50th-anniversary tour set to kick off in May 2024.
Fans around the globe are mourning the loss of Paul Di’Anno, who played a pivotal role in Iron Maiden’s early success, marking the end of a significant chapter in heavy metal history.
