Di'Anno sang on the band's seminal first two albums, 'Iron Maiden' and 'Killers'
Former Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di'Anno has passed away at the age of 66. His longtime label, Conquest Music, confirmed the news in a statement shared on social media on Monday, October 21.
"On behalf of his family, Conquest Music is saddened to announce the death of Paul Andrews, known professionally as Paul Di'Anno. "Despite battling severe health issues in recent years, which confined him to performing in a wheelchair, Paul continued to entertain fans worldwide, completing over 100 shows since 2023."
Iron Maiden paid tribute to Di'Anno on their social media, posting a photo of him with bassist Steve Harris. The band expressed their sorrow, stating, "We are all deeply saddened to learn of Paul Di'Anno's passing. His immense contribution to Iron Maiden helped set the foundation for our journey as a band over nearly five decades. His pioneering presence as our frontman and vocalist, both on stage and on our first two albums, will be fondly remembered by us and fans across the globe."
Born in Chingford, East London, in 1958, Di'Anno joined Iron Maiden in 1978 after being introduced to the band by drummer Doug Sampson. He provided lead vocals on their first two albums, *Iron Maiden* (1980) and *Killers* (1981), before being replaced by Bruce Dickinson due to struggles with drug addiction. Di'Anno later fronted other bands, including Gogmagog, Battlezone, and his self-titled project, Di'Anno.
In recent years, Di'Anno faced multiple health challenges. In 2021, he launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover the costs of knee surgery after discovering an abscess in his leg. His former bandmates in Iron Maiden contributed to his medical expenses, and in an interview with MB Live, Di'Anno revealed that complications had nearly cost him his life.
"When I got back to England, I had just 45 minutes to live due to sepsis," Di'Anno recalled. "I spent eight months in the hospital, and the band was kind enough to cover the last few months of treatment. I’ll always be grateful for that."
Despite his ongoing health struggles, including pneumonia and repeated infections, Di'Anno remained active in the music world, giving interviews and continuing to perform. His passing marks the end of an era for both his fans and the heavy metal community.