Iron Maiden Pays Tribute To Late Paul Di’Anno In Recent Show

Iron Maiden paid a heartfelt tribute to their former vocalist, Paul Di’Anno, during their concert on October 22 in Minneapolis. Di’Anno, who passed away earlier this week, was the band’s original frontman, singing on their first two albums, Iron Maiden (1980) and Killers (1981). His role was pivotal in shaping the early sound of the band, and his death has deeply affected both fans and the band members alike.

Before performing “The Time Machine” from their latest album Senjutsu, Iron Maiden’s current frontman, Bruce Dickinson, took a moment to acknowledge Di’Anno’s contributions. “His voice was instrumental, groundbreaking, and devoted to rock and roll right up to the last minute of his life,” Dickinson told the crowd, praising his predecessor’s lasting impact on the band’s early days.

A Moment of Silence for a Rock Legend

In a moving gesture, Dickinson asked the Minneapolis audience to pause for a moment of silence to honor Di’Anno. “Close your eyes in silence. Whether you believe in God or not, just say ‘thanks, boss’ for what he did,” Dickinson said, paying his respects to the late singer’s legacy. He also referenced Di’Anno’s post-Maiden career, particularly his band Battlezone.

Dickinson closed the tribute by addressing Di’Anno directly: “Wherever you are, upstairs or downstairs, you’re having fun.” He then turned to the fans, encouraging them to celebrate Di’Anno’s life by exclaiming, “Minneapolis, for Paul Di’Anno, scream for me!”

Iron Maiden had also paid their respects on social media earlier in the week, remembering Di’Anno as a “pioneering presence as a frontman and vocalist” during their formative years.

Di’Anno’s Musical Legacy and Influence

Paul Di’Anno’s time with Iron Maiden may have ended in 1981, but his legacy has remained strong. After his departure, following tensions within the band during their Killers tour, Di’Anno went on to form multiple bands and pursue a solo career. In 2024, he released new material with his band, Paul Di’Anno’s Warhorse, which marked his latest musical chapter. Di’Anno had even met with Dickinson recently, gifting him one of the first copies of his new album, and reigniting a bond with Iron Maiden’s bassist Steve Harris.

Their relationship had rekindled in 2022 when Di’Anno and Harris met backstage in Zagreb, Croatia, marking their first in-person reunion in nearly three decades. Harris mentioned that they had stayed in touch, texting about shared interests like their mutual love for West Ham soccer.

Documentary to Tell Di’Anno’s Story

Paul Di’Anno’s life and career will be explored in an upcoming documentary scheduled to be released in 2025. Directed by Wes Orshoski, known for his work on documentaries about the Damned and Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead, the film will shed light on Di’Anno’s challenges and resilience, particularly in the last decade of his life. Orshoski expressed excitement for Iron Maiden fans to see the documentary, “The film will be out next year, and details will be forthcoming — the hope is for it to debut at film festivals in early 2025,” Orshoski shared on social media.

“I’m very excited for the Maiden faithful to see it. Once it is released you will see just how tough his life has been over the past decade and how hard he fought to change it. Maybe he’s finally found some peace.”