Paul Di'Anno, the original vocalist of the iconic heavy metal band Iron Maiden, passed away on October 21, 2023, at his home in Salisbury. He was 66 years old. The cause of his death has now been disclosed by his family.
According to a statement released by Di'Anno's sisters, Cheryl and Michelle, the singer suffered from a tear in the sac surrounding his heart. This resulted in blood filling the area from the main aorta artery, ultimately causing his heart to stop. The family stated that his death was instantaneous and likely painless.
Di'Anno, born Paul Andrews on May 17, 1958, in Chingford, East London, rose to fame as the lead singer of Iron Maiden from 1978 to 1981. During his tenure with the band, he lent his powerful vocals to their self-titled debut album and the follow-up, "Killers," both of which are considered landmark releases in the heavy metal genre.
After parting ways with Iron Maiden, Di'Anno continued his musical journey with bands like Battlezone and Killers, as well as pursuing a solo career. Despite facing severe health issues in recent years that confined him to a wheelchair, he remained dedicated to his craft, performing over 100 shows since 2023.
To honor Di'Anno's memory, an In Memoriam show was held at Underworld Camden, where fans, friends, and family gathered to pay tribute to the late singer. The event featured a musical set performed by his colleagues, serving as a fitting farewell to the metal icon.
Throughout his career, Di'Anno's influence on the heavy metal scene was profound. In a 2020 interview, he expressed pride in learning that bands like Metallica, Pantera, and Sepultura cited his work with Iron Maiden as inspiration for their own musical journeys.
Di'Anno's final studio effort, a career retrospective album titled "The Book of the Beast," was released in September 2024, showcasing highlights from his post-Iron Maiden recordings.
As the metal community mourns the loss of this influential figure, Paul Di'Anno's contributions to the genre will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of musicians and fans alike.