English singer and former frontman of infamous British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, Paul Di’Anno, 66, passed away on Monday, October 21st in his home in Salisbury, UK, due to ‘health complications’ he had been facing for many years after a sepsis diagnosis. His passing was announced, presumably by family, on his Facebook page with no specific cause being listed.
Hours following the announcement, Di’Anno’s former band, Iron Maiden, published a statement reading as follows:“We are all deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Paul Di’Anno earlier today. Paul’s contribution to Iron Maiden was immense and helped set us on the path we have been traveling as a band for almost five decades.”Others have put out their own statements expressing their condolences including Exodus and its members, and Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler.
Born 1958 in London, Di’Anno spent his teenage years working as a butcher and hotel chef while changing between various rock bands. He was a talented amateur singer with no training, even admitting he “didn’t know how to sing.” in his early years, via Blabbermouth interview. Di’Anno gained popularity in the new English heavy metal scene in the late 70s, eventually joining bassist Steve Harris and guitarist Dave Murray in their band Iron Maiden in 1978.
Di’Anno sang for the group, headlining the groups debut album ‘Iron Maiden,’ released in April 1980, featuring songs such as Phantom of the Opera, Running Free, Iron Maiden, and Prowler. The album reached Platinum, and spent multiple weeks on UK Charts peaking at number 4, as well as ranking 13th on Rolling Stone’s list of “100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time.” The group sold around four million records, the number reaching six million including compilations, singles, and streaming.
In February 1981, the group released their second album, Killers, yet again with Di’Anno on vocals. The album featured many iconic tracks most notably Killers, Prodigal Son, Wrathschild, and Purgatory. Killers had relatively good reception, reaching a total of 8 gold certifications, one each in the UK and U.S., three in France, and reached Platinum in Canada; The album reached 78th in the U.S. charts, 12th in UK charts, and number one on French charts while selling almost five million original copies and over five million including compilations, singles, and streaming.
These two albums were truly definitive for the band, developing their style and the formula for classic heavy metal, while tracks such as Phantom of the Opera and the conceptual nature of Killers paved the way for Albums like “Number of the Beast” under Bruce Dickonson feeling more powerful and operatic. Di’Anno had a rawer punk sound with a more aggressive darker tone, also reflected in his writing on Running Free and Sanctuary.
His punk sound wasn’t just a voice but indicative of his behavior, lifestyle issues, and hard party personality being credited for his firing from Iron Maiden after a 1981 performance in Denmark. Di’Anno was replaced by Singer Bruce Dickenson for all following albums.
Despite his parting from one of the most notable heavy metal bands in history, Di’Anno led a successful career forming several bands and going solo, writing original songs, and performing tracks from his time in Iron Maiden.
In general, it can be said that Paul Di’Anno has had a massive impact on the world of Metal and, as a matter of fact, influencing the world of music as a whole. His work has powered, inspired and influenced people globally, down to our own school, so it is certain that he will be missed.
