Paul Di’Anno, the lead singer of Iron Maiden on its first two albums, has passed away at the age of 66 after struggling with illness for several years. He sang on the band’s self-titled debut album and its iconic follow-up, “Killers,” between 1978 and 1981. Di’Anno later fronted bands like Battlezone and Killers, as well as releasing solo albums. Despite health issues that limited his ability to perform, he continued to entertain fans around the world, playing over 100 shows since 2023. A retrospective album of his post-Iron Maiden recordings, “The Book of the Beast,” was released in 2024.
Di’Anno’s departure from Iron Maiden in 1981 was reportedly due to discord with founder Steve Harris and manager Rod Smallwood, as well as dissatisfaction with his performances. However, he denied these reports in recent years, stating that his record speaks for itself. Di’Anno’s contributions to Iron Maiden, including songs like “Running Free” and “Sanctuary,” were an integral part of the band’s early success. The label representing his family confirmed his passing and asked fans to raise a glass in his memory.
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