Former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno has died at the age of 66, his family announced on Monday.

Paul Andrews, known by his stage name (Di’Anno), died at his home in Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Di’Anno was the band’s lead singer from 1978 to 1981. They completed two albums titled “Iron Maiden” in 1980 and “Killers” in 1981 before current singer Bruce Dickinson replaced him.

A statement announcing his death read, per Daily Mail: “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.

“Born in Chingford, East London on May 17, 1958, Paul first came to prominence as the lead singer of English heavy metal band Iron Maiden between 1978 and 1981,” the statement continued. “He sang on their groundbreaking debut album ‘Iron Maiden’ and its influential follow-up ‘Killers’.

“Since leaving Iron Maiden, Paul Di’Anno has had a long and eventful recording career with Battlezone and Killers, as well as numerous solo releases and guest appearances. Despite suffering from serious health problems in recent years that limited him to performing in a wheelchair, Paul continued to entertain fans around the world, with more than 100 shows since 2023.”

The family added that “his first retrospective album, ‘The Book of the Beast’, was released in September 2024 and featured highlights from his recordings since leaving Iron Maiden.”

The label concluded: “Conquest Music is proud to have had Paul Di’Anno in our artist family and asks his legion of fans to raise a glass in his memory.”

Di’Anno left the band in 1981 after developing a drug addiction to cocaine.

He had previously spoken about the habit, according to the outlet: “It wasn’t just me snorting a little Coke; I just went for it non-stop, 24 hours a day, every day. The band had obligations piling up and I just couldn’t see how I was going to get to the end.’”

Iron Maiden formed in 1975 in East End London and has released 41 albums, including 17 studio albums, 13 live albums, four EPs and seven compilations.

On a personal note, Di’Anno has been married five times and is survived by six children.

News of the rocker’s death comes a week after the band – which now consists of Bruce Dickinson, Steve Harris, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Nicko McBrain and Janick Gers – announced a 50th anniversary tour.

The band will perform across the continent in 27 stadiums, festivals and arena shows starting May 27 in Budapest, Hungary.

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