Original Iron Maiden singer Paul Mario Day has sadly died age 69, just several months after another band member.
Bassist Steve Harris enlisted Paul when the band was formed in 1975 and he became the band’s first singer. He kept the role until 1976 before he was replaced by Dennis Wilcock.
Second vocalist Wilcock was then replaced by Paul Di’Anno, who sang on the band’s first two hit records, Di’Anno passed away last year in October 2024 age 66.
The star’s death was announced by the band he joined following Iron Maiden, More, on social media. The band penned online: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the great MORE vocalist Paul Mario Day. Paul was a huge part of the [New Wave of British Heavy Metal] from his time in an early version of Iron Maiden and of course his fantastic performance on the ‘Warhead’ album.”
(Image: Getty Images)
“He was a well loved figure in British rock music and played many memorable shows not least the legendary 1981 Monsters of Rock show at Castle Donington with AC/DC, Whitesnake/David Coverdale as well as tours with Iron Maiden Def Leppard and many other legendary artists.
“Mike Freeland remembers him fondly as a ‘bloody great vocalist!’ It’s an honour for us to continue to play his music and we will always think of him every time we hit the opening notes to ‘Warhead’. We send our deepest condolences to Paul’s family and friends and also the many fans around the world who love his music.”
Bassist Steve Harris enlisted Paul when the band was formed in 1975 and he became the band’s first singer. He kept the role until 1976 before he was replaced by Dennis Wilcock.
Second vocalist Wilcock was then replaced by Paul Di’Anno, who sang on the band’s first two hit records, Di’Anno passed away last year in October 2024 age 66.
Speaking to Blabbermouth in 2019, Day comment on his exit from the group: “Steve was saying, ‘You’ve got to get better. You’ve got to be more in the audience’s face. You’ve got to be commanding. You’ve got to be a hero.’
“And I agreed with him, but I didn’t actually know how to make that happen. I got warning for maybe three months: ‘Get it together. Get it together.’ And I wanted to, I just didn’t know how to do it. So the funny thing is, the worst experience was the best lesson because when I got that notice and I felt so gutted, it changed me.
“The real reality. Iron Maiden at that time were nothing, honestly. It was the beginning… Everyone had to start from zero. That was when I was in the band, that was their zero point. What Steve was doing was trying to make the band big. He knew what he wanted. What he wanted is what he got. He got one of the biggest bands on the planet. As much as it hurt, as much as it upset me, I learnt a big lesson that day. I really did. I used that emotion, I guess, in my singing.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
