Paul Di’Anno, famously known as the first lead singer of the iconic heavy metal band Iron Maiden, has passed away at the age of 66. The singer, whose real name was Paul Andrews, died at his home in Salisbury, Wiltshire.
Conquest Music, the label representing Di’Anno, released a heartfelt statement confirming the news. “On behalf of his family, we are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Paul Andrews, professionally known as Paul Di’Anno. Paul died peacefully at his home at the age of 66.”
Born on May 17, 1958, in Chingford, East London, Di’Anno rose to fame between 1978 and 1981 as Iron Maiden’s original frontman. His powerful vocals defined the band’s early sound, contributing to the groundbreaking debut album Iron Maiden and its follow-up, Killers—both of which are still considered pivotal in the heavy metal genre.
After his time with Iron Maiden, Di’Anno pursued a long and diverse music career, fronting bands such as Battlezone and Killers, while also embarking on various solo projects. Despite significant health challenges in recent years that left him performing in a wheelchair, he continued to perform live, giving over 100 shows since 2023.
In September 2024, Di’Anno’s first career retrospective album, The Book of the Beast, was released, showcasing highlights from his post-Iron Maiden recordings. Conquest Music expressed pride in having him as part of their artist roster, urging fans to raise a glass in his honor.
