The first lead singer of Iron Maiden has died at the age of 66, leaving a significant legacy in the heavy metal music scene.
The music world is mourning the loss of Paul Di’Anno, the original vocalist for Iron Maiden. He passed away at his home in Salisbury, according to a statement from his label, Conquest Music.
Steve Harris, Clive Burr, Paul Di’Anno, Adrian Smith, and Dave Murray in an Iron Maiden promotional portrait in 1981 | Source: Getty Images
Paul Andrews, born in Chingford, East London, on May 17, 1958, gained initial recognition as the frontman for Iron Maiden from 1978 to 1981. He later adopted the stage name “Paul Di’Anno.” His powerful voice helped define the band’s early sound on their debut album “Iron Maiden” and the follow-up “Killers,” both considered influential releases in heavy metal.
After leaving Iron Maiden, Di’Anno continued his musical journey, recording with bands like Battlezone and Killers and embarking on numerous solo projects.
Paul Di’Anno, Dave Murray and Adrian Smith performing live onstage on Iron Maiden’s Killer World Tour in 1981 | Source: Getty Images
His later career was guided by Conquest Music, the label that announced his passing on behalf of his family. Despite his declining health in recent years, the musician remained active, performing over 100 shows since 2023, even though he had to use a wheelchair.
In September 2024, Di’Anno released “The Book of the Beast,” a career retrospective album that featured highlights of his post-Iron Maiden recordings. Conquest Music praised his dedication to his fans and expressed pride in having him as part of their artist family, asking fans to “raise a glass in his memory.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
