On behalf of his family, Conquest Music has confirmed the death of Paul Andrews, professionally known as Paul Di’Anno.
Paul passed away at his home in Salisbury at the age of 66.
Born in Chingford, East London on May 17, 1958, Di’Anno 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, Di’Anno 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.
Iron Maiden has posted the following statement about Di’Anno‘s passing:
“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, [managers] Rod [Smallwood] and Andy [Taylor], and the whole Iron Maiden team, we extend our deepest sympathies to Paul‘s family and close friends. Rest in peace, Paul.”
9 Responses
So sad, he has always been my favorite Iron Maiden singer. I shall be playing his albums loud and proud today.
R.I.P.
This is very sad. Killers is perhaps my favorite Iron Maiden record and he was a vital part of that early sound. Death comes to all of us and to tens of thousands of people all over the world, it is a welcome relief. Having said that, I’m happy Paul is finally free from all his physical and inevitable mental pain. I wish he would have had more success post-Maiden but his contribution to hard rock/metal is solid with those first two Maiden albums. R.I.P
Sad to learn of Dianno’s passing. He helped Iron Maiden gain a following with the punk crowd, even though Iron Maiden was not a punk band (although early Eddie did have a bit of a “punky” image). “Killers” is my favorite Iron Maiden album, with the first Iron Maiden album a close second.
I wish I had seen Iron Maiden with Dianno….
R.I.P. to the great Paul D’Ianno! The first two Maiden records are both as good as anything they’ve ever done! A couple of years ago my brother in law got me a Paul D’Ianno concert flyer signed by Paul! One of the best gifts I ever received and it’s been hanging in a frame in my man cave ever since!
Saw a new band (Overkill)play ‘Wrathchild’ at the Rock Palace Staten Island 1981 (?), and they mentioned it was by Iron Maiden, who I had never heard of. That song has always been my goto for Maiden.
The Rock Palace?? Awesome!! I was always just too young to go there (I graduated in 1990) and by the time I was old enough they closed.
Prowler is my Favorite Maiden song. I too love me the first 2 Maiden albums just as much if not more than anything else they ever did. This is really sad…