The legendary heavy metal band pays tribute to their former lead singer
By Rachel Walz
Paul Di’Anno, original lead singer of Iron Maiden, passed away on October 21st at the age of 66. Di’Anno joined the band in 1978 and sang on the band’s first two records, their self-titled debut and the follow-up “Killers”, bringing a punk rock edge to the band on songs like “Charlotte the Harlot”, “Prowler”, and “Wrathchild”. Even the band’s early album and single artwork hints at this, with iconic zombie mascot Eddie the Head simply acting as a murderous thug prowling the streets of London rather than say, the Devil’s puppeteer on “Number of the Beast” or as a cyborg in a “Blade Runner”-esque future on “Somewhere in Time”.
Di’Anno was fired after the Killers World Tour due to drug use and disagreements with bassist Steve Harris. This resulted in the hiring of now iconic vocalist Bruce Dickinson, as well as a redraw of the artwork for Iron Maiden’s first live album “Maiden Japan”, which originally featured Eddie as having decapitated Di’Anno.
After parting ways with Iron Maiden, Di’anno worked with a variety of bands, including Battlezone, Killers, Gogmagog, Praying Mantis, and various solo projects. He married five times and had six children. Near the end of his life, Di’Anno was confined to a wheelchair while performing due to health issues. Iron Maiden, who have a reputation of helping former members in need, helped him pay various medical bills and ensured continued residuals from his songwriting contributions.
Iron Maiden paid Di’Anno tribute during a concert in St. Paul on October 22nd, with his replacement Bruce Dickinson acknowledging Di’Anno’s contribution to the band’s earliest material, and referring to him as a man who ‘was devoted to rock and roll right up until the last minute of his life’.
Di’Anno may be gone, but his impact on a titan of heavy metal will never be forgotten.
