According to blabbermouth.net, in a recent interview, former Iron Maiden frontman Paul Di’Anno compared bassist Steve Harris to Adolf Hitler, said he wrote “20-times better songs” than Harris’ and claimed Maiden is all about “money, money, money, money – nobody else counts.”
Di’Anno’s comments came during a press conference in Argentina last month. The singer was in the middle of a solo tour of the South American country.
A member of the audience questioned Di’Anno about his rumored drug use and asked whether it contributed to his departure from Maiden.
Di’Anno raged, “Where the fuck do you people get this from? I left Iron Maiden because they were going too heavy metal, and Iron Maiden is a money-making machine, and I don’t give a fuck about it. It was not about drugs; it was nothing like that.
Me and Steve [Harris]… I [wrote] the song Killers, Steve had [what he thought] were better songs. I thought his songs were shit. Nothing to do with drugs; nothing whatsoever. Check your facts or otherwise this interview is over… I hate that! I fucking hate that!
Because people… You say something but you don’t know. Well, I’m telling you. Iron Maiden is Steve Harris’ band. It doesn’t matter about anybody else – whether it’s Dave Murray, Clive [Burr], me… it’s Steve Harris’ band and all it is is money, money, money, money – nobody else counts.
And I wrote fuckin’ 20-times better songs than his, but I only got one song on the Killers album because it’s Steve’s – he must have this. Fuckin’ Adolf Hitler. I’m not interested. So there you go.
But you need to take drugs when you’re with Iron Maiden because they’re so fucking boring. And the only drugs were aspirin, because Steve [making hand gesture as if someone is speaking into his ear]… Fuckin’ headache.”
Watch video from the press conference below.
[Ed’s note: The above opinions do not reflect nor represent those of Eddie Trunk or EddieTrunk.com]
source: blabbermouth.net
46 Responses
The guy had a great voice and if youve heard MAIDEN JAPAN, he also had a good stage presence. If he has all of these great songs, why does he only release albums of cover songs? Many of these covers are of Steve Harris songs. Why did he title his bio THE BEAST after the MAIDEN album that introduced Bruce Dickinson? He has 2 classic albums and an out of print live EP to hang his hat on. IRON MAIDEN makes so much money because they have been great for 33 + years consecutive. Other than RUSH, who can say that? I got MAIDEN JAPAN for Christmas in the early 80s, it has sentimental value. I wish they put it on ITUNES. I want you to sing for me…..
I have seen Dianno live he sounds like crap
The first two Maiden albums are truly spectacular, but Number of the Beast put them over the top and in my opinion is still their masterpiece. Maiden has churned out quality music since long after his departure from Maiden, and yet his songs that are “20 times better” have gone nowhere (at least I’ve never heard them).
I don’t have anything personal again Di’Anno but I would have to agree that this sounds like someone who is jealous of Maiden’s continued success and jealous he hasn’t been a part of it.
I like the current IM lineup a lot, but I have to admit that the band had a certain darkness and Grit to them when Paul was in the band that I really like. I don’t think either is “better”, but I find myself listening to the band with Paul more and more, because it’s less polished, and there’s something about those songs with Paul that is really unique. I wish he wouldn’t bash the guys in interviews though.
Some bands play music to get laid; others for money. Personally I see nothing wrong with either. Ask any band who says they’re not in it for the money to play for free. It’s a business. Capitalism is a good thing. Clearly Paul is in it for the money too, or else he wouldn’t be touring. However, had he made millions with IM, I think he’d be singing a different tune (pun intended).