Paul Di’Anno, the former Iron Maiden vocalist who helmed the mic on the band’s first two albums, has died. The iconic metal singer passed away at his home in Salisbury, U.K. He was 66.
News of Di’Anno’s death was confirmed today (October 21st) by his longtime record label Conquest Music, on behalf of his family. It was noted in a statement that Di’Anno had been suffering health issues for a number of years, and had been restricted to performing in a wheelchair. But it also noted that he had played more than 100 shows since 2023. His final performance as a solo artist took place at Kraków, Poland’s Hype Park on August 30th.
Shortly after the announcement was made, Iron Maiden posted a tribute to their old bandmate on X, writing that the vocalist’s “contribution to Iron Maiden was immense and helped set us on the path we have been travelling as a band for almost five decades,” and further noting that Di’Anno’s “pioneering presence as a frontman and vocalist, both on stage and on our first two albums, will be very fondly remembered not just by us, but by fans around the world.”
“It’s just so sad he’s gone,” founding bassist Steve Harris added on X. “I was in touch with him only recently as we texted each other about West Ham and their ups and downs. At least he was still gigging until recently, it was something that kept him going, to be out there whenever he could. He will be missed by us all. Rest in peace mate.”
Di’Anno was born in Chingford, East London, in 1958, and spent his youth singing in a handful of rock bands before linking up with Iron Maiden in 1978. Di’Anno brought a mix of soaring vibrato and gravelly, street-tough swagger to the group’s first two albums, 1980’s Iron Maiden and 1981’s Killers, before departing in ‘81. The Di’Anno era also included the Maiden Japan live EP.
Di’Anno’s music career continued post-Maiden with Battlezone, Killers, Gogmagog and Paul Di’Anno’s Warhorse, as well as a series of solo albums. Most recently, his 2024 The Book of the Beast compendium collected solo recordings of original songs and re-recorded versions of material from his Maiden days.
Tributes to the fallen metal icon have begun to appear on social media, with Anthrax, Kreator, Exodus and more saluting the late Di’Anno since the announcement of his passing. You’ll find some of those tributary posts down below.
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