Former Iron Maiden Frontman Paul Di’Anno Dead at 66
Source: English heavy metal musician Paul Di’Anno performing live on stage at the 2013 Hard Rock Hell festival in Pwllheli, Wales, on November 30, 2013. (Kevin Nixon/Metal Hammer Magazine/Future via Getty Images)
Former Iron Maiden frontman Paul Di’Anno died on Tuesday, according to a statement released by his record label; Conquest Music. No cause of death was given for Di’Anno, but it was noted that he’d been suffering with an illness for the last few years. He was 66.
Di’Anno sang lead vocals on the English metal band’s first two albums, Iron Maiden and Killers, fronting the band from 1978 to 1981. He’d leave the band after issues between Iron Maiden founder Steve Harris, manager Rod Smallwood and himself. Di’Anno was replaced by Bruce Dickinson, who fronted the band from 1981 to 1993, and again from 1999 to present.
Source: Portrait of British heavy metal band Iron Maiden backstage at Pointe East during their Killer World Tour, Lynwood, Illinois, June 26, 1981. Pictured are, from left, Clive Burr, Dave Murray, Paul Di’Anno, Adrian Smith, and Steve Harris. (Paul Natkin/Getty Images)
Di’Anno would go on to front other metal bands, which were Battlezone and Killers, and have a number of solo outputs. He most recently released a compilation album, The Book of the Beast, in September 2024, which is full of music from his post-Iron Maiden days. Despite severe health issues limiting him to perform in a wheelchair, Di’Anno still toured extensively. The metal singer reportedly performed in over 100 shows since 2023, according to his label.
