IRON MAIDEN vocalist Bruce Dickinson recently gave his opinion of seeing his current band’s early incarnation when Paul Di’Anno was still singing for them
Speaking with Joel McIver for the latest Record Collector magazine issue, Bruce Dickinson was asked when he first saw IRON MAIDEN live. He responded: “The first time I saw MAIDEN was at what was then the Music Machine in Camden. SAMSON [Bruce‘s then-band] were headlining because our management had bankrolled the gig and said, ‘We want the top slot,’ although we didn’t really deserve it.
“That became obvious when MAIDEN came on, because the whole place was rammed. I’d heard rumors about how good they were, and I thought I’d better see them. When they came out, I thought, ‘I’ve never seen DEEP PURPLE, but this is what it must have felt like to see DEEP PURPLE in their prime, rocking up a storm.'”
When asked what he thought of MAIDEN‘s singer at the time, Paul Di’Anno, Bruce said: “He was okay, but he didn’t have a lot of flex to his voice. I thought his voice had come as far as it was going to get. I saw what the rest of the band were capable of straight away, and I remember thinking, ‘Good God, I’d love to front that band.’ And as soon as they finished playing, everybody in the venue left and we were headlining to about three people.”
The new issue of Record Collector magazine can be purchased online at www.recordcollectormag.com.
The Beast Before Bruce: Paul Di’Anno’s Roar with Iron Maiden
Paul Di’Anno, born Paul Andrews in 1958, wasn’t your typical frontman. With a working-class background and a gruff, powerful voice, he embodied the raw energy of the burgeoning New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement in the late 70s.
IRONMAIDEN’s Birth and Early Bite
Fate intervened when Di’Anno, a singer on the London scene, met bassist Steve Harris, the creative engine behind IRON MAIDEN. In 1978, Di’Anno became the band’s lead vocalist, his streetwise snarl perfectly complementing Harris‘ galloping basslines and the band’s intricate guitar work.
Together, they unleashed two albums that cemented IRON MAIDEN‘s place in metal history: their self-titled debut in 1980 and the follow-up, “Killers,” released in 1981. These albums remain cornerstones of the NWOBHM sound, packed with anthems like “Iron Maiden,” “Running Free,” and “Wrathchild.” Di’Anno‘s vocals were a key ingredient – a blend of punk-influenced aggression and a soaring range that delivered epic tales of war, rebellion, and the occult.
A Splitting Headache: The End of an Era
However, Paul Di’Anno‘s tenure with IRON MAIDEN was short-lived. The grueling tour schedule and his well-documented struggles with alcohol and drugs took their toll. By 1981, the band felt a change was needed.
The reasons for Di’Anno‘s departure remain a bit murky, with both sides offering differing narratives. What’s clear is that the band and singer were on diverging paths. IRON MAIDEN craved a more disciplined and versatile vocalist, someone who could handle the increasingly complex sounds they were crafting. Di’Anno, on the other hand, remained fiercely attached to the raw, punk-tinged energy of the early days.
A Legacy of Iron
Despite the split, Di’Anno‘s contribution to MAIDEN is undeniable. His voice became synonymous with the band’s formative years, and his influence can be heard in countless metal acts that followed.
A New Chapter: A Post-Maiden Career
Following his departure from MAIDEN, Di’Anno embarked on a solo career, releasing several albums that continued in the NWOBHM vein. He also fronted various bands like BATTLEZONE and KILLERS, showcasing his enduring passion for heavy metal.
His solo career never quite achieved the heights of his time with IRON MAIDEN, but Di’Anno remained a respected figure in the metal scene. He continued to tour extensively, his gruff vocals still packing a punch, even as his health battles became more prominent.
The Legacy Lives On
Today, Paul Di’Anno remains a legend amongst metalheads who cherish the raw energy of MAIDEN‘s early days. His story is a reminder that sometimes, the greatest contributions are made in a band’s formative years, setting the stage for future triumphs. While Bruce Dickinson undoubtedly took IRON MAIDEN to new heights, Di’Anno‘s roar will forever echo in the halls of heavy metal history.
