Mainly known for giving his voice to Iron Maiden's first two albums, Paul Di'Anno has died at age 66.
This Monday, October 21, we learned of the death of British singer Paul Di'Anno, whose real name is Paul Andrews, known for having held the microphone on Iron Maiden's first two albums. The news was confirmed by his label, Conquest Music. He was 66 years old. The causes of death have not yet been revealed. This year, he spoke about his health problems (which notably forced him to use a wheelchair since 2017) via the Canadian show The Metal Voice.
Born Paul Di'Anno in 1958, he joined the heavy metal band Iron Maiden, which was then in its very early years. “I thought he had a good voice and good looks” explains bassist and frontman Steve Harris in biography Iron Maiden: the epic of the Killersby Mick Wall. “Paul was great, the genuine guy. He was a little nervous on stage, but the nervous energy came out in a good way. »
It was with him that Iron Maiden released their first studio album, in 1980, the title track of which is still played in concert today. The classics “Prowler” and “Running Free” also appear there. Its critical success was immediate. The following year they recorded Killers, which confirmed the success of the group and thus allowed them to begin their first world tour. However, Paul Di'Anno was fired the same year, notably because of his excessive drug use during the tour. He will subsequently be replaced by Bruce Dickinson.
Noted for his punk attitude and his angry singing, Paul Di'Anno knew how to instill a very particular energy which contributed to the success of the group in its beginnings.
Following his departure from Iron Maiden, Paul Di'Anno led various projects such as Gogmagog, Di'Anno's Battlezone, Killers or, more recently, Warhorse. He also held the microphone in Praying Mantis for a short time, in 1990.
Paul Di'Anno continued to tour around the world. His last concert in France took place in Mennecy (91) and was the opportunity for him to perform classics that he had recorded with Iron Maiden.
