RIP Paul Di'Anno

The voice that launched a generation. 

I was born into the cassette tape era; I discovered Iron Maiden at “Powerslave” and worked my way backwards through the sacred tapes of “Piece of Mind” and “The Number of the Beast,” quickly reaching the early era of “Killers” and the self-titled debut. Those first two records were different, yet intrinsically linked to all that had followed - - and every bit as great. The predominant change was the lead voice. Instead of Bruce Dickinson’s soaring, operatic “air raid siren,” there was the tough, soulful, street-level gravel of Paul Di’Anno. For him, the only siren wail was the one heard from his L.A. jail, perhaps that same one that pursued him in his Sanctuary from the law.  

Oh, don’t get me wrong, Paul Di’Anno could also hit terrific high screeches. He was a deceptively talented singer, capable of growls, shouts, soulful vibrato, emotional tone, and mesmerizing cat calls. We only got two full-length Iron Maiden albums with him at the microphone (plus the “Maiden Japan” live release and “The Soundhouse Tapes”), but in those, he gave us enough iconic moments to last us a lifetime. As evidence, I submit: the taunting, pained calls in the “Killers” title track, the closing shriek in “Purgatory,” the barked chorus of “Wrathchild,” the tortured beauty of “Prodigal Son,” the tender emotion of “Remember Tomorrow,” the elated Rock n’ Roll abandon of “Drifter,” the amazing depth and complexities of “Phantom of the Opera,” the gnashing psychotic menace of “Prowler,” “Iron Maiden,” and the afore-mentioned “Killers,” and so many others. Whatever the material, Paul was less interested in soaring Where Eagles Dare, more interested in exploring gritty, down-to-earth dangers and terrors, both real-world and supernatural. Bruce had us dogfighting in the clouds, Paul had us in the subway, his eyes burning a hole in our backs. 

Paul Di’Anno was a bad boy at times in his life; that’s known and documented. We’re not here today to talk about the personal demons that led him to his exit from Iron Maiden and his banishment from U.S. soil, nor those which prevented his musical career from ever hitting the same heights of fame and popularity again. We’re here to celebrate the gifts he bestowed upon the Heavy Metal world. A world which would be far poorer without the Paul Di’Anno era of Iron Maiden, however brief it lasted. 

Be advised, though, if you don’t already know, that “Iron Maiden” and “Killers” aren’t the totality of his musical career. I beseech you to explore his post-Maiden music; there are some truly magical moments throughout the Battlezone records and everything else that followed, including 2024's Warhorse. It was wonderful to see him fighting and clawing his way in recent years to reclaim his legacy and reputation, releasing new music, rolling that wheelchair onstage and performing live again (in countries that hadn’t banned him), and posing for cathartic backstage photos with his former boss and bandmate, Steve Harris (Iron Maiden’s bassist and bandleader). 

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But of course, the part of Di’Anno’s legacy that we most cherish is his time with Iron Maiden. Speaking for myself, his albums - - as well as the Bruce ones, yes - - were major tweenage discoveries, ones that would stick with me my entire life. They proved to be crucial elements in my upbringing, musically and emotionally. Thank you, Paul, for delivering those songs so masterfully, with so much style, grit, power, emotion, attitude, and love. Though you’ve left us to travel around, you and your songs will live on forever. 

I’m honored to have been part of the effort to induct him into the Metal Hall of Fame class of 2021. I never did get the chance to see him live onstage; I envy you if you did. He wasn’t the first singer for Iron Maiden, but he was the first on record, the one that launched everything. One of the greatest ever.

“I'm gonna get my song 'til I can't go on

I've gotta keep on roaming, gotta sing my song.”

Rest in Power, Paul Andrews, a.k.a. Paul Di’Anno. 

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Jack Mangan is best known in the Metal world as lead author/project runner for the “Am I Evil?” graphic novel, as a journalist with MetalAsylum.net and the official Metal Hall of Fame. and also as co-host of the popular (sporadic these days) Metal Hall of Fame and MetalAsylum.net livestreams with Rich Catino. He’s made a few guest appearances as a panelist on The Metal Voice. In an adjacent life, he was a podcast pioneer, with numerous appearances on Technorama, Dragon Page, Escape Pod/Pseudopod, and many others, including his own productions: Jack Mangan’s Deadpan, and the Podcast novel, “Spherical Tomi.” Friend him on Facebook if you can find him, but be warned: he’s not great about checking Facebook Messenger.

Disclaimer: These articles are meant to document and comment on important aspects of Heavy Metal’s broad and diverse history. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the official Metal Hall of Fame. No mention of any artist should be misconstrued as an indication of intent to induct or deny admittance to the Metal Hall of Fame. We’re not dropping hints here, folks. There will be official press releases when new inductees are ready to be announced.

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