Paul Andrews aka Paul Di’Anno was a force to be reckoned with. He was the original singer of the English band Iron Maiden from 1978 to 1981 before he was replaced by vocalist Bruce Dickinson. The band truly changed the heavy metal music genre, and Di’Anno sang the bands initial two albums. While he was no longer part of the band, he continued his music endeavors and released several albums over the years.
The singer recently passed away at the age of 66, and a past interview of his has resurfaced, giving a closer look at his life. And further revealed the deep struggles he faced while being wheelchair bound.
Paul Di’Anno’s Unfiltered Reflection Before His Passing
Iron Maiden made a huge uproar in the metal scene nearly 45 years ago, all thanks to the funky tunes and vocals of Paul Di’Anno. The late singer sang the band’s first two albums namely Iron Maiden and Killers, before he was replaced. He then moved on to other projects, including his new band Paul Di’Anno’s Warhorse.
During the band’s debut record launch, the singer had got in touch with Misplaced Straws while he was at a rehabilitation center in Croatia. In the telephonic interview, he addressed the band’s name, stating, “I don’t know why they call it Paul Di’Anno’s Warhorse. It’s just Warhorse. I guess they’re trying to sell records.”
He also explained that he joined the project at the invitation of two well-known Croatian musicians from the band Rapid Strike. While he provided vocals, he did not contribute to the songwriting. Further, reflecting on his return to the studio after a long break, Di’Anno shared, “I’ve been touring a hell of a lot, even in my condition at the minute, in a wheelchair.”
He noted his extensive touring in South America, where they broke a record with 36 consecutive concerts in Brazil. Despite the challenges of traveling in a wheelchair, he stressed the importance of staying active: “It’s keeping me from killing myself.” And that his primary focus at the time was to bring his health back on track.
While Di’Anno is no longer around us, he leaves behind a lasting legacy that will continue to influence future generations of metal fans.
Paul Di’Anno Revealed Plans for His Documentary Prior to His Death
In a past interview with George Dionne from KNAC.COM, the late singer Paul Di’Anno discussed his upcoming documentary, directed by Wes Orshoski. He is known for his work on the documentary Lemmy in 2010. And had been working with Di’Anno on the project for several years. The documentary faced delays due to the singer’s health struggles, including being in a wheelchair.
Over the last decade, Di’Anno battled serious health issues, including a 2015 bout with sepsis that weakened his immune system. After several medical treatments, including major knee surgery in Croatia in 2022, his recovery has been slow. Financial pressures also forced him to continue touring to cover his medical expenses, despite his condition.
In December 2022, Di’Anno made his return to the music scene after a seven-year hiatus with the release of new music from his band WarHorse. His documentary will include important moments from his life, such as his first solo concert in seven years, which took place in Zagreb, and a reunion with Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris.
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