Inside Paul DiAnnos life of excess before domestic abuse and fraud shame: How ex-Iron Maiden singer lived rock and roll lifestyle including 24 hour-a-day cocaine binges - but loved his fans and performed right up until his death
Ex-Iron Maiden singer and rock and roll legend Paul DiAnno performed right up to his death aged 66, even taking to the stage in a wheelchair when his health declined.
Ex-Iron Maiden singer and rock and roll legend Paul DiAnno performed right up to his death aged 66, even taking to the stage in a wheelchair when his health declined.
Despite his health issues, he still managed to rack up an impressive 100 shows in the year before he passed away.
The ragged yet talented DiAnno joined the heavy metal band three years in, auditioning in 1978, although he was initially less than impressed and laughed at the theatrics.
But, as is the case with a lot of rock stars in history, DiAnnos life was a battle with substance abuse. At one point, he described taking cocaine non-stop, 24 hours a day, every day.
Eventually, he was fired and replaced with Bruce Dickinson as the frontman instead.
Although he barrelled ahead with music separately, his spate of scandals continued to hit the headlines, including his time behind bars.
But despite being in a wheelchair following knee injuries from an onstage accident as well as motorcycling, he was obsessed with music and continued to perform live - saying he was open to performing at festivals in 2025.
Former Iron Maiden singer DiAnno died at the age of 66 at home in Wiltshire, his family announced on Monday (Pictured in 1981)
Paul Andrews, better known by his stage name DiAnno, passed away at his home in Salisbury, Wiltshire (Pictured in 2013)
DiAnno was born as Paul Andrews in sleepy Chingford, east London, to a Brazilian father and British mother.
As a teenager, he would sing in various rock bands and worked as a butcher and as a chef in hotels and restaurants.
In 1977, songwriter and bassist Steve Harris was holding auditions for his up-and-coming band which had churned through two frontmen when DiAnno turned up.
Although DiAnno said he was initially unimpressed, he got the job. He later said their old singer had a silly sword and fake blood dripping from his mouth which he found hilarious - but it felt right when they played together.
The bald, goatee-bearded star described his bandmates as lovely young people who you could have introduced to your nan but he brought in a madness and an over-the-top aspect.
But the band struggled to get gigs outside of London, so they decided to make a demo tape.
Soundhouse Tapes then gained them a cult following, selling 5,000 copies, and in 1979 they secured a record deal with EMI.
A statement announcing his death read: On behalf of his family, Conquest Music are sad to confirm the death of Paul Andrews, professionally known as Paul DiAnno (He is pictured in 1990 fronting the group Paul DiAnnos Killers)
He fronted the band for the two albums titled Iron Maiden in 1980 and Killers in 1981 - before being replaced by current vocalist Bruce Dickinson (Pictured with the band in 1980)
Their debut album set the template for heavy metal in the 80s and entered the UK album chart at number four in April 1980, but DiAnno was forced to miss most of his debut show after being arrested for carrying a knife.
The single Running Free even earned the band a coveted spot of Top of the Pops.
But the bands success led to a dark place for the singer. By his own admission, he was already a fairly excessive character but really went for it in those years.
He was fired after the world tour for Killers due to his erratic behaviour and drug use.
He went on to perform in the short-lived group Gogmagog and the band Battlezone, which released two studio albums in 1986 and 1987.
DiAnno went on to front Praying Mantis, before forming another new band, Killers, and also performing in Nomad and Rockfellas.
In the early 1990s, he was jailed in the US after assaulting a girlfriend with a knife.
He later said this was one of his biggest regrets in my past and he was really ashamed of them.
DiAnno said later: I did a couple of stints in jail for guns and drugs and he was banned from touring in the US for several years.
DiAnno is pictured in 1980 at The Marquee, Wardour Street, London
He sang on their groundbreaking debut album Iron Maiden, and the influential follow up release, Killers
DiAnno pictured in 1980 with Iron Maiden (Clive Burr, Dennis Stratton, Dave Murray and Steve Harris)
In 2011, the singer was jailed after he was exposed as a benefit cheat by posting his music videos on YouTube. He was sentenced to nine months for swindling £45,000 in benefits.
He had claimed he suffered severe nerve damage to his back that prevented him from working.
But the father-of-two was caught when Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) investigators spotted a YouTube video of him jumping around on stage during a live show in 2006.
The footage, from his own website and video sharing site YouTube, showed him energetically leaping around.
The heavily tattooed rocker, wearing a grey suit and black shirt, admitted illegally claiming benefit totalling £45,479.
They included wrongly raking in income support of more than £10,000 between 2005 and 2008.
However he went on to say that his time in jail eventually made him sort my life out.
He suffered a number of motorcycle accidents and an onstage accident which led to him needing surgery in Croatia.
Established in 1975 in the East End of London Iron Maiden have, over the course of 17 studio albums, more than 110 million records sold (DiAnno pictured in 2013)
Despite being troubled by severe health issues in recent years that restricted him to performing in a wheelchair, he continued to entertain his fans around the world
Iron Maiden pictured in 1981 (L-R Clive Burr, Dave Murray, Paul DiAnno, Adrian Smith, and Steve Harris)
In 2022, a crowdfunder and the Iron Maiden band helped him pay for the major operations and follow-up treatment.
But he didnt let that stop him, taking to the stage in his wheelchair.
But in January, the heavy metal star left concertgoers shocked by swearing and ranting at them.
He even told one: Ill punch you in the face in Perth, Australia.
Another attendee was told to call a cab or go home in an ambulance from the gig at The Gov in Adelaide.
After his death, the current members of Iron Maiden released a statement reading: We are all deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Paul DiAnno earlier today.
Pauls contribution to Iron Maiden was immense and helped set us on the path we have been travelling as a band for almost five decades.
His pioneering presence as a frontman and vocalist, both on stage and on our first two albums, will be very fondly remembered not just by us, but by fans around the world.
It continued: We were very grateful to have had the chance to catch up a couple of years ago and to spend time with him once more.
Steve Harris, who has been part of the band since 1975, commented: Its just so sad hes gone. I was in touch with him only recently as we texted each other about West Ham and their ups and downs
The group, which formed in 1975, will be performing in 27 stadiums, festivals and arena shows around the continent, starting on 27 May in Budapest, Hungary (Bruce Dickinson pictured)
On behalf of the band, Rod and Andy, and the whole Iron Maiden team, we extend our deepest sympathies to Pauls family and close friends. Rest In Peace Paul.
Harris, who has been part of the band since 1975, commented: Its just so sad hes gone. I was in touch with him only recently as we texted each other about West Ham and their ups and downs.
At least he was still gigging until recently, it was something that kept him going, to be out there whenever he could. He will be missed by us all. Rest in peace mate.
Di Anno has been married five times and leaves behind six children.
The sad news of his death comes 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.
