Former Iron Maiden Vocalist Paul Di’Anno Passes Away At 66 – One America News Network

OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
3:58 PM – Monday, October 21, 2024

Paul Di’Anno, a former member of Iron Maiden, passed away on Monday at the age of 66, according to his family.

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At his home in Salisbury, Wiltshire, Paul Andrews, who is better known by his stage name, Paul Di’Anno, passed after battling a number of health issues.

Although the cause of death was not disclosed, he had been dealing with health problems for years. Di’Anno had been using a wheelchair since undergoing knee surgery in 2022, and he had a compromised immune system after contracting sepsis nine years ago.

He was the band’s frontman for the albums Iron Maiden (1980) and Killers (1981), until Bruce Dickinson, the current vocalist, took over.

“On behalf of his family, Conquest Music are sad to confirm the death of Paul Andrews, professionally known as Paul Di’Anno. Paul passed away at his home in Salisbury at the age of 66,” the statement began.

“Born in Chingford, East London, on 17th May 1958, Paul first came to prominence as lead singer of English Heavy Metal band Iron Maiden, between 1978 and 1981. He sang on their groundbreaking debut album Iron Maiden, and the influential follow up release, Killers. Since leaving Iron Maiden, Paul Di’Anno had a long and eventful recording career with Battlezone and Killers as well as numerous solo releases and guest appearances. Despite being troubled by severe health issues in recent years that restricted him to performing in a wheelchair, Paul continued to entertain his fans around the world, racking up well over 100 shows since 2023. His first career retrospective album, The Book of the Beast, was released in September 2024 and featured highlights of his recordings since leaving Iron Maiden. Conquest Music are proud to have had Paul Di’Anno in our artist family and ask his legion of fans to raise a glass in his memory,” it concluded.

Paul left the heavy metal band in 1981, after developing a serious addiction to cocaine.

“It wasn’t just that I was snorting a bit of coke, I was just going for it non-stop 24 hours a day every day… The band had commitments piling up and I just couldn’t see my way to the end of it,” he admitted previously.

Founded in London’s East End in 1975, Iron Maiden has sold over 110 million records over the span of 17 studio albums.

Iron Maiden’s current members also issued a statement.

“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 travelling as a band for almost five decades. His 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. We were very grateful to have had the chance to catch up a couple of years ago and to spend time with him once more. On behalf of the band, Rod and Andy, and the whole Iron Maiden team, we extend our deepest sympathies to Paul’s family and close friends. Rest In Peace Paul,” their statement read.

Paul has six children from his five previous marriages.

The band, which currently includes members Adrian Smith, Bruce Dickinson, Steve Harris, Dave Murray, Nicko McBrain, and Janick Gers, announced a 50^th anniversary tour a week prior to the tragic news of Paul’s passing. Beginning on May 27^th in Budapest, Hungary, the group will play at 27 stadiums, festivals, and arena events around the continent.