Ex-Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di'Anno dies at 66

Paul Di'Anno, the former lead vocalist of Iron Maiden, has passed away at the age of 66. 

A statement from his label, Conquest Music, confirmed his death at his home in Salisbury. Di’Anno, born Paul Andrews on May 17, 1958, in Chingford, East London, was the original frontman of Iron Maiden. He contributed to their first two groundbreaking albums, *'Iron Maiden'* (1980) and *'Killers'* (1981), which included iconic tracks like "Phantom of the Opera" and "Wrathchild."

After leaving Iron Maiden in 1981, Di’Anno formed several bands, including Battlezone and Killers, and later pursued a solo career. His career was marked by collaborations with various heavy metal groups, including the supergroup Gogmagog, and his involvement with Praying Mantis from 1989 to 1990. Despite facing significant health challenges in recent years, which required him to perform in a wheelchair, Di'Anno continued to perform live and released music with his latest project, Warhorse.

Conquest Music expressed their sorrow in a statement, calling Di'Anno’s career "long and eventful" and praising his dedication to his fans, with over 100 performances since 2023. Di'Anno’s legacy as a pivotal figure in heavy metal remains cherished by fans worldwide.