Original Iron Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno has died at the age of 66, according to a statement from the late hard rock vocalist’s label, Conquest Music. “On behalf of his family, Conquest Music is saddened to confirm the death of Paul Andrews, known professionally as Paul Di’Anno. Paul died at his home in Salisbury at the age of 66,” said the statement on Monday (October 21), which did not specify the date or cause of death.

Di’Anno was the lead singer of the legendary British metal group from 1978-1981, kicking off their 45-year run with his urgent, punk-inspired vocals on their 1980 self-titled debut, featuring the ripping opening track “Prowler” and the anthem of the same name “Iron Maiden” by the band.

He also sang on the band’s 1981 follow-up, Murdererswith gnarly metal anthems like the opening instrumental ‘The Ides of March’, the blasting ‘Wrathchild’ and the blistering barrage of ‘Purgatory’, which cemented the band’s groundbreaking blend of hard rock, punk and prog.

Iron Maiden released a statement honoring Di’Anno on Monday with a photo of the singer with founding bassist — and reported main antagonist while in Maiden — Steve Harris. “We are all deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Paul Di’Anno earlier today. Paul’s contribution to Iron Maiden was enormous and helped set us on the path we have been on as a band for almost five decades. His groundbreaking presence as a frontman and singer, both on stage and on our first two albums, will be fondly remembered not only by us, but by fans around the world,” the statement said.

“It’s so sad he’s gone,” Harris added. “I only had contact with him recently when we texted each other about West Ham and their ups and downs. In any case, he was still performing until recently, it was something that kept him going, to be there whenever he could. He will be missed by all of us. Rest in peace, buddy.”

It concluded: ‘We were very grateful to have had the chance to catch up and spend time with him again a few years ago. On behalf of the band, Rod and Andy, and the entire Iron Maiden team, we send our deepest condolences to Paul’s family and close friends.”

Born on May 17, 1958 in Chingford, East London, Di’Anno rose to fame as the frontman of Iron Maiden, before splitting with the group before their 1982 commercial breakthrough with the 1982 film. The number of the beastwhich introduced new singer Bruce Dickinson, who has held the gig ever since. After leaving Maiden, Di’Anno recorded a number of solo albums, as well as LPs with the bands Di’Anno’s Battlezone, Gogmagog, Killers, Praying Matins, Rockfellas and more.

The powerhouse singer continued to record and tour in 2016, when he was hospitalized for undisclosed medical reasons; at the time Blabbermond reported that Di’Anno was forced to perform from a wheelchair due to injuries from a number of motorcycle accidents. He also faced a number of other health issues over the years, including a near-fatal battle with sepsis, which landed him in the hospital for eight months in 2015.

“Despite suffering from serious health issues in recent years that limited him to performing in a wheelchair, Paul continued to entertain his fans around the world, with more than 100 shows since 2023,” the Conquest Music statement said. Di’Anno first retrospective album, The Book of the Beastwas released last month, featuring highlights of the songs he recorded after Maiden.

According to an October 10 post on Di’Anno’s FB page, he was due to perform in Edinburgh on December 30 this year before that show was cancelled, although a series of UK dates were still planned later this month and in November. continue before his death.

Check out some highlights from Di’Anno’s Maiden below.