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Rocker Paul Di’Anno, Iron Maiden’s original vocalist, dies at 66

BBG News

As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of heavy metal, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia upon hearing about the passing of Paul Di’Anno, Iron Maiden’s original lead singer. His raw energy and distinctive voice were instrumental in shaping the band’s early sound, and his contribution to the genre as a whole is undeniably significant.

Paul Di’Anno, Iron Maiden’s first lead singer, died Monday. He was 66.

It was announced on his official Facebook page that he passed away at his home in Salisbury, England. His family and Conquest Music made this announcement. The cause of death hasn’t been disclosed, but it’s known that he had been dealing with health issues for quite some time. He contracted sepsis nine years ago, which weakened his immune system, and underwent knee surgery in 2022. Despite these challenges, he continued to perform over a hundred shows in a wheelchair since 2023.

Conquest Music is honored to have been part of Paul Di’Anno’s musical journey, and invites his devoted followers to toast him in remembrance,” the label stated. At the time of The Times’ query on Monday, the label did not immediately provide further comments.

Today, we’re heartbroken to announce that Paul Di’Anno has sadly passed away. This information was shared by Iron Maiden, along with our band managers Andy Taylor and Rod Smallwood, and the rest of the Iron Maiden crew.

Paul’s impact on Iron Maiden was significant, guiding us towards our current journey that spans nearly five decades. His innovative role as a frontman and vocalist, whether performing live or recorded on our first two albums, will be deeply missed not only by us, but also by fans worldwide.” The statement was accompanied by a photo of Di’Anno and bassist Steve Harris backstage in Croatia during the band’s Legacy of the Beast world tour in May 2022.

The band expressed their gratitude for getting to meet up a few years back and spending time with him again,” is an easier-to-read paraphrase of the original sentence.

Harris remarked, “It’s truly unfortunate that he’s no longer here.” He mentioned that they had been exchanging texts lately, discussing the highs and lows of the West Ham United men’s football team.

Harris mentioned that he had been performing live until not long ago, which gave him a sense of purpose and joy. We’ll all miss him dearly. Farewell, friend.

Hailing from Chingford, East London, born on May 17, 1958, Paul Di’Anno gained recognition as a member of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden between 1978 and 1981. During his tenure with the group, he contributed to their first self-titled album in 1980 and its successor, “Killers,” released the following year. However, he was dismissed from the band, leading to Bruce Dickinson taking over as lead vocalist, a position he has held ever since. Later on, Di’Anno led other bands such as Killers, Battlezone, and Warhorse.

In September, he unveiled “The Book of the Beast,” an album showcasing his preferred tracks he’s recorded since departing Iron Maiden. This compilation includes Tony Martin of Black Sabbath, ZP Theart from Dragonforce, and Lidya Balaban from Crowley.

1) Apart from this, he revealed his intention to perform exclusively at certain festivals and larger theater shows, given their wheelchair accessibility. In 2023, Di’Anno acknowledged that Iron Maiden had assisted him with his medical expenses during the past few months of treatment, expressing his deep gratitude for their support.

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2024-10-21 21:31

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